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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Exodus, Chapter XXVIII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E X O D U S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXVIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Orders being given for the fitting up of the place of worship, in this
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and the following chapter care is taken about the priests that were to
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minister in this holy place, as the menial servants of the God of
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Israel. He hired servants, as a token of his purpose to reside among
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them. In this chapter,
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I. He pitches upon the persons who should be his servants,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:1">ver. 1</A>.
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II. He appoints their livery; their work was holy, and so must their
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garments be, and unanswerable to the glory of the house which was now
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to be erected,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:2-5">ver. 2-5</A>.
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1. He appoints the garments of his head-servant, the high priest, which
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were very rich.
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(1.) An ephod and girdle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:6-14">ver. 6-14</A>.
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(2.) A breast-plate of judgment
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:15-29">ver. 15-29</A>),
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in which must be put the urim and thummim,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:30">ver. 30</A>.
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(3.) The robe of the ephod,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:31-35">ver. 31-35</A>.
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(4.) The mitre,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:36-39">ver. 36-39</A>.
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2. The garments of the inferior priests,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:40-43">ver. 40-43</A>.
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And these also were shadows of good things to come.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ex28_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Priests' Attire.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with
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him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto
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me in the priest's office, <I>even</I> Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar
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and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
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2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for
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glory and for beauty.
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3 And thou shalt speak unto all <I>that are</I> wise hearted, whom I
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have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's
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garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the
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priest's office.
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4 And these <I>are</I> the garments which they shall make; a
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breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a
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mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron
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thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the
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priest's office.
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5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet,
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and fine linen.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here,</P>
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<P>
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I. The priests nominated: <I>Aaron and his sons,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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Hitherto every master of a family was priest to his own family, and
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offered, as he saw cause, upon altars of earth; but now that the
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families of Israel began to be incorporated into a nation, and a
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<I>tabernacle of the congregation</I> was to be erected, as a visible
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centre of their unity, it was requisite there should be a public
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priesthood instituted. Moses, who had hitherto officiated, and is
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therefore reckoned among the <I>priests of the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+99:6">Ps. xcix. 6</A>),
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had enough to do as their prophet to consult the oracle for them, and
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as their prince to judge among them; nor was he desirous to engross all
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the honours to himself, or to entail that of the priesthood, which
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alone was hereditary, upon his own family, but was very well pleased to
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see his brother Aaron invested in this office, and his sons after him,
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while (how great soever he was) his sons after him would be but common
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Levites. It is an instance of the humility of that great man, and an
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evidence of his sincere regard for the glory of God, that he had so
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little regard to the preferment of his own family. Aaron, who had
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humbly served as a prophet to his younger brother Moses, and did not
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decline the office
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+7:1"><I>ch.</I> vii. 1</A>),
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is now advanced to be a priest, a high priest to God; for he will exalt
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those that abase themselves. Nor could any man have <I>taken this
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honour to himself,</I> but he that was <I>called of God to it,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+5:4">Heb. v. 4</A>.
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God had said of Israel in general that they should be to him a
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<I>kingdom of priests,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+19:6"><I>ch.</I> xix. 6</A>.
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But because it was requisite that those who ministered at the altar
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should give themselves wholly to the service, and because that which is
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every body's work will soon come to be nobody's work, God here chose
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from among them one to be a family of priests, the father and his four
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sons; and from Aaron's loins descended all the priests of the Jewish
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church, of whom we read so often, both in the Old Testament and in the
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New. A blessed thing it is when real holiness goes, as the ceremonial
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holiness did, by succession in a family.</P>
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<P>
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II. The priests' garments appointed, <I>for glory and beauty,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Some of the richest materials were to be provided
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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and the best artists employed in the making of them, whose skill God,
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by a <I>special gift</I> for this purpose, would improve to a very high
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degree,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Note, Eminence, even in common arts, is a gift of God, it comes from
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him, and, as there is occasion, it ought to be used for him. He that
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teaches the husbandman discretion teaches the tradesman also; both
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therefore ought to honour God with their gain. Human learning ought
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particularly to be consecrated to the service of the priesthood, and
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employed for the adorning of those that minister about holy things.
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The garments appointed were,
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1. Four, which both the high priest and the inferior priests wore,
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namely, the linen breeches, the linen coat, the linen girdle which
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fastened it to them, and the bonnet or turban; that which the high
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priest wore is called <I>a mitre.</I>
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2. Four more, which were peculiar to the high priest, namely, the
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ephod, with the curious girdle of it, the breast-plate of judgment, the
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long robe with the bells and pomegranates at the bottom of it, and the
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golden plate on his forehead. These glorious garments were appointed,
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(1.) That the priests themselves might be reminded of the dignity of
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their office, and might behave themselves with due decorum.
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(2.) That the people might thereby be possessed with a holy reverence
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of that God whose ministers appeared in such grandeur.
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(3.) That the priests might be types of Christ, who should offer
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himself without spot to God, and of all Christians, who have the beauty
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of holiness put upon them, in which they are consecrated to God. Our
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adorning, now under the gospel, both that of ministers and Christians,
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is not to be of gold, and pearl, and costly array, but the <I>garments
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of salvation, and the robe of righteousness,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+61:10,Ps+132:9,16">Isa. lxi. 10; Ps. cxxxii. 9, 16</A>.
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As the filthy garments wherewith Joshua the high priest was clothed
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signified the iniquity which cleaved to his priesthood, from which care
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was taken that it should be purged
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+3:3,4">Zech. iii. 3, 4</A>),
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so those <I>holy garments</I> signified the perfect purity that there
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is in the priesthood of Christ; he is holy, harmless, and
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undefiled.</P>
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<A NAME="Ex28_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_14"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 And they shall make the ephod <I>of</I> gold, <I>of</I> blue, and <I>of</I>
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purple, <I>of</I> scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
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7 It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the
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two edges thereof; and <I>so</I> it shall be joined together.
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8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which <I>is</I> upon it,
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shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; <I>even of</I>
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gold, <I>of</I> blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
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9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the
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names of the children of Israel:
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10 Six of their names on one stone, and <I>the other</I> six names
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of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
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11 With the work of an engraver in stone, <I>like</I> the engravings
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of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of
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the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches
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of gold.
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12 And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the
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ephod <I>for</I> stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and
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Aaron shall bear their names before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> upon his two
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shoulders for a memorial.
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13 And thou shalt make ouches <I>of</I> gold;
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14 And two chains <I>of</I> pure gold at the ends; <I>of</I> wreathen
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work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the
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ouches.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Directions are here given concerning the ephod, which was the outmost
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garment of the high priest. <I>Linen</I> ephods were worn by the
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inferior priests,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+22:18">1 Sam. xxii. 18</A>.
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Samuel wore one when he was a child
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+2:18">1 Sam. ii. 18</A>),
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and David when he danced before the ark
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+6:14">2 Sam. vi. 14</A>);
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but this which the high priest only wore was called a <I>golden
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ephod,</I> because there was a great deal of gold woven into it. It was
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a short coat without sleeves, buttoned closely to him, with a curious
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girdle of the same stuff
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:6-8"><I>v.</I> 6-8</A>);
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the shoulder-pieces were buttoned together with two precious stones set
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in gold, one on each shoulder, on which were engraven the names of the
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<I>children of Israel,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:9-12"><I>v.</I> 9-12</A>.
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In allusion to this,
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1. Christ our high priest appeared to John <I>girt about the breast
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with a golden girdle,</I> such as was the curious girdle of the ephod,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:13">Rev. i. 13</A>.
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Righteousness is the girdle of his loins
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:6">Isa. xi. 6</A>),
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and should be of ours,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+6:14">Eph. vi. 14</A>.
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He is girt with strength for the work of our salvation, and is ready
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for it.
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2. The government is said to be <I>upon his shoulders</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+9:6">Isa. ix. 6</A>),
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as Aaron had the names of all Israel upon his shoulders in precious
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stone. He presents to himself and to his Father <I>a glorious
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church,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+5:27">Eph. v. 27</A>.
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He has power to support them, interest to recommend them, and it is in
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him that they are remembered with honour and favour. He bears them
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before the Lord <I>for a memorial</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
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in token of his <I>appearing before God</I> as the representative of
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all Israel and an advocate for them.</P>
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<A NAME="Ex28_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex28_30"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Aaron's Attire.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning
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work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; <I>of</I> gold,
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<I>of</I> blue, and <I>of</I> purple, and <I>of</I> scarlet, and <I>of</I> fine
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twined linen, shalt thou make it.
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16 Foursquare it shall be <I>being</I> doubled; a span <I>shall be</I>
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the length thereof, and a span <I>shall be</I> the breadth thereof.
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17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, <I>even</I> four
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rows of stones: <I>the first</I> row <I>shall be</I> a sardius, a topaz,
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and a carbuncle: <I>this shall be</I> the first row.
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18 And the second row <I>shall be</I> an emerald, a sapphire, and a
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diamond.
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19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
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20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they
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shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
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21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children of
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Israel, twelve, according to their names, <I>like</I> the engravings
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of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to
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the twelve tribes.
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22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends
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<I>of</I> wreathen work <I>of</I> pure gold.
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23 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold,
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and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
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24 And thou shalt put the two wreathen <I>chains</I> of gold in the
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two rings <I>which are</I> on the ends of the breastplate.
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25 And <I>the other</I> two ends of the two wreathen <I>chains</I> thou
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shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put <I>them</I> on the
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shoulderpieces of the ephod before it.
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26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put
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them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof,
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which <I>is</I> in the side of the ephod inward.
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27 And two <I>other</I> rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put
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them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the
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forepart thereof, over against the <I>other</I> coupling thereof,
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above the curious girdle of the ephod.
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28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof
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unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that <I>it</I> may be
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above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate
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be not loosed from the ephod.
|
|
29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in
|
|
the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto
|
|
the holy <I>place,</I> for a memorial before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> continually.
|
|
30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim
|
|
and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he
|
|
goeth in before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of
|
|
the children of Israel upon his heart before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
|
|
continually.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The most considerable of the ornaments of the high priest was this
|
|
breast-plate, a rich piece of cloth, curiously wrought with gold and
|
|
purple, &c., two spans long and a span broad, so that, being doubled,
|
|
it was a span square,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was fastened to the ephod with wreathen chains of gold
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:13,14,22"><I>v.</I> 13, 14, 22</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.) both at top and bottom, so that <I>the breast-plate might not be
|
|
loosed from the ephod,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
The ephod was the garment of service; the breast-plate of judgment was
|
|
an emblem of honour: these two must by no means be separated. If any
|
|
man will <I>minister unto the Lord,</I> and <I>do his will,</I> he
|
|
shall <I>know his doctrine.</I> In this breast-plate,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The tribes of Israel were recommended to God's favour in twelve
|
|
precious stones,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:17-21,29"><I>v.</I> 17-21, 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some question whether Levi had a precious stone with his name or no. If
|
|
not, Ephraim and Manasseh were reckoned distinct, as Jacob had said
|
|
they should be, and the high priest himself, being head of the tribe of
|
|
Levi, sufficiently represented that tribe. If there was a stone for
|
|
Levi, as is intimated by this, that they were <I>engraven according to
|
|
their birth</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
Ephraim and Manasseh were one in Joseph. Aaron was to bear their names
|
|
for a <I>memorial before the Lord continually,</I> being <I>ordained
|
|
for men,</I> to represent them in things pertaining to God, herein
|
|
typifying our great high priest, who always appears in the presence of
|
|
God for us.
|
|
|
|
1. Though the people were forbidden to come near, and obliged to keep
|
|
their distance, yet by the high priest, who had their names on his
|
|
breast-plate, they entered into the holiest; so believers, even while
|
|
they are here on this earth, not only <I>enter into the holiest,</I>
|
|
but by faith are made to <I>sit with Christ in heavenly places,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+2:6">Eph. ii. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The name of each tribe was engraven in a precious stone, to signify
|
|
how precious, in God's sight, believers are, and how honourable,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+43:4">Isa. xliii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
They shall be his in the day he <I>makes up his jewels,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:17">Mal. iii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
How small and poor soever the tribe was, it was a precious stone in the
|
|
breast-plate of the high priest; thus are all the saints dear to
|
|
Christ, and his delight is in them as the excellent ones of the earth,
|
|
however men may esteem them as <I>earthen pitchers,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+4:2">Lam. iv. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. The high priest had the names of the tribes both on his shoulders and
|
|
on his breast, intimating both the power and the love with which our
|
|
Lord Jesus intercedes for those that are his. He not only bears them
|
|
up <I>upon his heart,</I> as the expression here is
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>carries them in his bosom</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+40:11">Isa. xl. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
with the most tender affection. How near should Christ's name be to our
|
|
hearts, since he is pleased to lay our names so near his! and what a
|
|
comfort it is to us, in all our addresses to God, that the great high
|
|
priest of our profession has the names of all his Israel upon his
|
|
breast before the Lord <I>for a memorial,</I> presenting them to God as
|
|
the people of his choice, who were to be made <I>accepted in the
|
|
beloved!</I> Let not any good Christians fear that God has forgotten
|
|
them, nor question his being mindful of them upon all occasions, when
|
|
they are not only engraven upon the <I>palms of his hands</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:16">Isa. xlix. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
but engraven upon the heart of the great intercessor. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+8:6">Cant. viii. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The urim and thummim, by which the will of God was made known in
|
|
doubtful cases, were put in this breast-plate, which is therefore
|
|
called the <I>breast-plate of judgment,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Urim</I> and <I>thummim</I> signify <I>light</I> and
|
|
<I>integrity;</I> many conjectures there are among the learned what
|
|
they were; we have no reason to think they were any thing that Moses
|
|
was to make more than what was before ordered, so that either God made
|
|
them himself, and gave them to Moses, for him to put into the
|
|
breast-plate, when other things were prepared
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+8:8">Lev. viii. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
or no more is meant than a declaration of the further use of what was
|
|
already ordered to be made. I think the words may be read thus, <I>And
|
|
thou shalt give,</I> or <I>add,</I> or <I>deliver, to the breast-plate
|
|
of judgment, the illuminations and perfections, and they shall be upon
|
|
the heart of Aaron;</I> that is, "He shall be endued with a power of
|
|
knowing and making known the mind of God in all difficult doubtful
|
|
cases, relating either to the civil or ecclesiastical state of the
|
|
nation." Their government was a theocracy: God was their King, the high
|
|
priest was, under God, their ruler, the urim and thummim were his
|
|
cabinet-council; probably Moses wrote upon the breast-plate, or wove
|
|
into it, these words, <I>Urim</I> and <I>Thummim,</I> to signify that
|
|
the high priest, having on him this breast-plate, and asking counsel of
|
|
God in any emergency relating to the public, should be directed to take
|
|
those measures, and give that advice, which God would own. If he was
|
|
standing before the ark (but without the veil) probably he received
|
|
instructions from off the mercy-seat, as Moses did
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+25:22"><I>ch.</I> xxv. 22</A>);
|
|
|
|
thus, it should seem, Phinehas did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+20:27,28">Judg. xx. 27, 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
If he was at a distance from the ark, as Abiathar was when he enquired
|
|
of the Lord for David
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+23:6">1 Sam. xxiii. 6</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.), then the answer was given either by a voice from heaven or rather
|
|
by an impulse upon the mind of the high priest, which last is perhaps
|
|
intimated in that expression, <I>He shall bear the judgment of the
|
|
children of Israel upon his heart.</I> This oracle was of great use to
|
|
Israel; Joshua consulted it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+27:21">Num. xxvii. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
and, it is likely, the judges after him. It was lost in the captivity,
|
|
and never regained after, though, it should seem, it was expected,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+2:63">Ezra ii. 63</A>.
|
|
|
|
But it was a shadow of good things to come, and the substance is
|
|
Christ. He is our oracle; by him God in these last days makes known
|
|
himself and his mind to us,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:2,Joh+1:18">Heb. i. 2; John i. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Divine revelation centres in him, and comes to us through him; he is
|
|
the light, the true light, the faithful witness, the truth itself, and
|
|
from him we receive the Spirit of truth, who leads into all truth. The
|
|
joining of the breast-plate to the ephod denotes that his prophetical
|
|
office was founded in his priesthood; and it was by the merit of his
|
|
death that he purchased this honour for himself and this favour for us.
|
|
It was the <I>Lamb that had been slain</I> that was worthy to <I>take
|
|
the book</I> and to <I>open the seals,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:9">Rev. v. 9</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_39"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all <I>of</I> blue.
|
|
32 And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst
|
|
thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the
|
|
hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not
|
|
rent.
|
|
33 And <I>beneath</I> upon the hem of it thou shalt make
|
|
pomegranates <I>of</I> blue, and <I>of</I> purple, and <I>of</I> scarlet, round
|
|
about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round
|
|
about:
|
|
34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a
|
|
pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
|
|
35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall
|
|
be heard when he goeth in unto the holy <I>place</I> before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
|
|
and when he cometh out, that he die not.
|
|
36 And thou shalt make a plate <I>of</I> pure gold, and grave upon
|
|
it, <I>like</I> the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
|
|
37 And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon
|
|
the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.
|
|
38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear
|
|
the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel
|
|
shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon
|
|
his forehead, that they may be accepted before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou
|
|
shalt make the mitre <I>of</I> fine linen, and thou shalt make the
|
|
girdle <I>of</I> needlework.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
1. Direction given concerning <I>the robe of the ephod,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:31-35"><I>v.</I> 31-35</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was next under the ephod, and reached down to the knees, was
|
|
without sleeves, and was put on over their head, having holes on the
|
|
sides to put the arms through, or, as Maimonides describes it, was not
|
|
sewed together on the sides at all. The hole on the top, through which
|
|
the head was put, was carefully bound about, that it might not tear in
|
|
the putting on. In religious worship, care must be taken to prevent
|
|
every thing that may distract the minds of the worshippers, or render
|
|
the service despicable. Round the skirts of the robe were hung golden
|
|
bells, and the representations of pomegranates made of yarn of divers
|
|
colours. The pomegranates added to the beauty of the robe, and the
|
|
sound of the bells gave notice to the people in the outer court when he
|
|
went into the holy place to burn incense, that they might then apply
|
|
themselves to their devotions at the same time
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:10">Luke i. 10</A>),
|
|
|
|
in token of their concurrence with him in his offering, and their hopes
|
|
of the ascent of their prayers to God in virtue of the incense he
|
|
offered. Aaron must come near to minister in the garments that were
|
|
appointed him, <I>that he die not.</I> It is at his peril if he attend
|
|
otherwise than according to the institution. This intimates that we
|
|
must serve the Lord <I>with fear</I> and holy <I>trembling,</I> as
|
|
those that know we deserve to die, and are in danger of making some
|
|
fatal mistake. Some make the bells of the holy robe to typify the sound
|
|
of the gospel of Christ in the world, giving notice of his entrance
|
|
within the veil for us. <I>Blessed are those that hear this joyful
|
|
sound,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+89:15">Ps. lxxxix. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
The adding of the pomegranates, which are a fragrant fruit, denotes the
|
|
sweet savour of the gospel, as well as the joyful sound of it, for it
|
|
is a <I>savour of life unto life.</I> The church is called an
|
|
<I>orchard of pomegranates.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Concerning the golden plate fixed upon Aaron's forehead, on which
|
|
must be engraven, <I>Holiness to the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:36,37"><I>v.</I> 36, 37</A>),
|
|
|
|
or <I>The holiness of Jehovah.</I> Aaron must hereby be reminded that
|
|
God is holy, and that his priests must be holy. <I>Holiness becomes
|
|
his house</I> and household. The high priest must be sequestered from
|
|
all pollution, and consecrated to God and to his service and honour,
|
|
and so must all his ministrations be. All that attend in God's house
|
|
must have <I>Holiness to the Lord</I> engraven upon their foreheads,
|
|
that is, they must be holy, devoted to the Lord, and designing his
|
|
glory in all they do. This must appear in their forehead, in an open
|
|
profession of their relation to God, as those that are not ashamed to
|
|
own it, and in a conversation in the world answerable to it. It must
|
|
likewise be engraven like the engravings of a signet, so deep, so
|
|
durable, not painted to be washed off, but sincere and lasting; such
|
|
must our <I>holiness to the Lord</I> be. Aaron must have this upon his
|
|
forehead, that he may <I>bear the iniquity of the holy things</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>),
|
|
|
|
and that <I>they may be accepted before the Lord.</I> Herein he was a
|
|
type of Christ, the great Mediator between God and man, through whom it
|
|
is that we have to do with God.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Through him what is amiss in our services is pardoned. The divine
|
|
law is strict; in many things we come short of our duty, so that we
|
|
cannot but be conscious to ourselves of much iniquity cleaving even to
|
|
our holy things; when we would do good evil is present; even this would
|
|
be our ruin if God should enter into judgment with us. But Christ, our
|
|
high priest, bears this iniquity, bears it for us so as to bear it from
|
|
us, and through him it is forgiven to us and not laid to our charge.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Through him what is good is accepted; our persons, our
|
|
performances, are pleasing to God upon the account of Christ's
|
|
intercession, and not otherwise,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:5">1 Pet. ii. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
His being <I>holiness to the Lord</I> recommends all those to the
|
|
divine favour that are interested in his righteousness, and clothed
|
|
with his Spirit; and therefore he has said it was for our sakes that he
|
|
<I>sanctified himself,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:19">John xvii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Having <I>such a high priest,</I> we come <I>boldly to the throne of
|
|
grace,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:14-16">Heb. iv. 14-16</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. The rest of the garments are but named
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>),
|
|
|
|
because there was nothing extraordinary in them. The embroidered coat
|
|
of fine linen was the innermost of the priestly garments; it reached to
|
|
the feet, and the sleeves to the wrists, and was bound to the body with
|
|
a girdle or sash of needle-work. The mitre, or diadem, was of linen,
|
|
such as kings anciently wore in the east, typifying the kingly office
|
|
of Christ. He is a <I>priest upon a throne</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+6:13">Zech. vi. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
a priest with a crown. These two God has joined, and we must not think
|
|
to separate them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex28_43"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Priests' Attire.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt
|
|
make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for
|
|
glory and for beauty.
|
|
41 And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons
|
|
with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and
|
|
sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's
|
|
office.
|
|
42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their
|
|
nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
|
|
43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they
|
|
come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they
|
|
come near unto the altar to minister in the holy <I>place;</I> that
|
|
they bear not iniquity, and die: <I>it shall be</I> a statute for ever
|
|
unto him and his seed after him.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here,
|
|
|
|
1. Particular orders about the vestments of the inferior priests. They
|
|
were to have coats, and girdles, and bonnets, of the same materials
|
|
with those of the high priest; but there was a difference in shape
|
|
between their bonnets and his mitre. Theirs, as his, were to be <I>for
|
|
glory and beauty</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>),
|
|
|
|
that they might look great in their ministration: yet all this glory
|
|
was nothing compared with the glory of grace, this beauty nothing to
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the beauty of holiness, of which these holy garments were typical. They
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are particularly ordered, in their ministration, to wear <I>linen
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breeches,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
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This teaches us modesty and decency of garb and gesture at all times,
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especially in public worship, in which a veil is becoming,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+11:5,6,10">1 Cor. xi. 5, 6, 10</A>.
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It also intimates what need our souls have of a covering, when we come
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before God, that the <I>shame of their nakedness may not appear.</I>
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2. A general rule concerning the garments both of the high priest and
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of the inferior priests, that they were to be put upon them, at first,
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when they were consecrated, in token of their being invested in the
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office
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>),
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and then they were to wear them in all their ministrations, but not at
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other times
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+28:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>),
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and this at their peril, lest they <I>bear iniquity and die.</I> Those
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who are guilty of omissions in duty, as well as omissions of duty,
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|
shall <I>bear their iniquity.</I> If the priests perform the instituted
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service, and do not do it in the appointed garments, it is (say the
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Jewish doctors) as if a stranger did it, and the <I>stranger that comes
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|
nigh shall be put to death.</I> Nor will God connive at the
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presumptions and irreverences even of those whom he causes to draw most
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|
near to him; if Aaron himself put a slight upon the divine institution,
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|
he shall bear iniquity, and die. To us these garments typify,
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(1.) The righteousness of Christ; if we appear not before God in this,
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we shall <I>bear iniquity and die.</I> What have we to do at the
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wedding-feast without a wedding-garment, or at God's altar without the
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array of his priests?
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+22:12,13">Matt. xxii. 12, 13</A>.
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(2.) <I>The armour of God</I> prescribed
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+6:13">Eph. vi. 13</A>.
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If we venture without that armour, our spiritual enemies will be the
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death of our souls, and we shall bear the iniquity, our blood will be
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upon our own heads. Blessed is he therefore that watcheth, and keepeth
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his garments,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+16:15">Rev. xvi. 15</A>.
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3. This is said to be a <I>statute for ever,</I> that is, it is to
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continue as long as the priesthood continues. But it is to have its
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perpetuity in the substance of which these things were the shadows.</P>
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