Aaron's bejeweled breastpiece
Exodus 28–29
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Chapter summary. On Mt. Sinai God continues His instructions to Moses. Moses is to set Aaron and his sons apart to serve as priests (Ex 28:1). God gives a detailed description of the ritual garments to be worn by the high priest (Exodus 28:2–43). He also gives detailed instructions for a consecration ceremony which is to set them aside for their ministry (Exodus 29:1–46).
Key verse. Exodus 28:29: Priestly ministry means representing others to God.
Personal application. The most splendid dress in Israel was worn by the ministering priest, for there is no more important ministry than to represent others to God, and lead them to worship Him.
Key concepts. Leading » Deuteronomy 18. Anoint » 1 Samuel 10–11. Priesthood » Leviticus 9–10. Consecration » Proverbs 19–22.
Illustration. Aaron’s jeweled breastpiece held the Urim and Thummim that guided Israel (below).
Aaron. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest. His descendants alone were to serve as priests in Israel’s religion. Thus Aaron is the O.T.’s representative priest, as Moses is its representative prophet.
The Aaronic priesthood served throughout Israel’s history, till it was supplanted by Jesus’ high priesthood (Heb. 7).
The ephod. The vest worn by the high priest was ornate. Stones set in two shoulder clasps, on which the names of Israel’s tribes were engraved, seem its most important feature. In wearing it the high priest accepted a role as representative of the whole people. What he did, he did for them as well as for God.
Ordinary priests wore simple, thigh-length ephods made of fine white linen when they ministered (Ex. 39:27; 1 Sam. 2:18; 2 Sam. 6:14).
“The breastpiece” (Ex 28:15–30). The breastpiece was a finely fashioned purse. It was fastened to the ephod with chains of gold, and decorated with four rows of jewels, each of which represented one of Israel’s tribes. There is special significance in wearing the name of Israel’s tribes over the high priest’s heart. One representing others to God must care about them deeply, even as God Himself cares. Worship may have ceremonial expressions. But it can deteriorate to mere ritual.
Urim and Thummim. The breastpiece is called the “breastpiece for making decisions” because it contained these mysterious objects. Most believe that the Urim and Thummim were colored stones representing “yes” or “no” and “maybe.” When God’s O.T. people needed guidance, the high priest had means at hand for discerning God’s will. God does not want us to wander hopelessly through life. In every era He is committed to directing His own into His chosen path.
Consecration. The lengthy consecration ceremony God ordained for dedicating Aaron’s family to the priesthood reminds us of a basic O.T. truth. No one and no thing is set apart to God without being cleansed by sacrificial blood. Only the cleansing work of God can fit a human being to approach Him, or to serve Him.
Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.
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