As we continue to study the clothing of the high priest, we turn to a special item located within the breastplate.
The Urim and Thummim were components of the high priest’s breastplate.
In the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord; thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the Israelites on his heart before the Lord continually” (Exodus 28:30).
According to Walter Kaiser, the Urim and Thummim, literally meaning “lights and perfections,” were items used during times of crisis to discern God’s will. Their appearance and how they functioned remain unknown.
It’s possible they served as a symbol of the high priest’s access to divine revelation, rather than being the exclusive method for receiving it.
Golden Bells
Golden bells adorned the hem of the high priest’s robe.
A golden bell and a pomegranate alternating all around the lower hem of the robe. Aaron shall wear it when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the holy place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he may not die” (Exodus 28:34-35)
As the high priest ministered in the Tabernacle, the jingling of the bells on his garment served as an audible assurance to those outside that he was still alive within the Holy Place, continuing to intercede on their behalf.
The Turban
A prominent element of the high priest’s attire was the turban.
“You shall make a rosette of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ You shall fasten it on the turban with a blue cord; it shall be on the front of the turban” (Exodus 28:36-27).
Its most significant feature was a golden plate, engraved with the words, “Holy to the Lord.”
To be holy is to be separated for God’s purposes. The high priest and the Israelites were separated from the rest of humanity as God’s servants.
The high priest was a picture of the entire nation. They were to show the world God’s nature, character, and presence by the way they served Him and lived lives in accordance with His will.
The Importance of the Clothing
In yesterday’s blog article, I mentioned how I often don’t consider my attire when I prepare for a time of prayer with the Lord. This was clearly not the case for Aaron and his sons.
They shall be worn by Aaron and his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, so that they do not bring guilt on themselves and die. This shall be a perpetual ordinance for him and for his descendants after him” (Exodus 28:43).
If my attire were a matter of life and death in God’s eyes, I would certainly pay more attention to what I wear.
There’s a significant spiritual aspect to the high priest and his sons were dressed.
- They were to be holy to the Lord.
- They were to carry the people they served near to their hearts.
- They were to bring the burdens and needs of the people to God through their role in the Tabernacle.
- They were to bring the revealed will of God to the people.
Regardless of how we are dressed for a meeting with God, our heart attitudes needs to mirror theirs.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross continues his explanation of the garments that Aaron and his sons wore in today’s YouTube video. Bruce Kirby and I join in the discussion.
Real Voices 