mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 28.xml

<div2 id="Ex.xxix" n="xxix" next="Ex.xxx" prev="Ex.xxviii" progress="44.53%" title="Chapter XXVIII">
<h2 id="Ex.xxix-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.xxix-p0.2">CHAP. XXVIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.xxix-p1">Orders being given for the fitting up of the place
of worship, in this and the following chapter care is taken about
the priests that were to minister in this holy place, as the menial
servants of the God of Israel. He hired servants, as a token of his
purpose to reside among them. In this chapter, I. He pitches upon
the persons who should be his servants, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.1" parsed="|Exod|28|1|0|0" passage="Ex 28:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. II. He appoints their livery; their
work was holy, and so must their garments be, and unanswerable to
the glory of the house which was now to be erected, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.2-Exod.28.5" parsed="|Exod|28|2|28|5" passage="Ex 28:2-5">ver. 2-5</scripRef>. 1. He appoints the
garments of his head-servant, the high priest, which were very
rich. (1.) An ephod and girdle, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.6-Exod.28.14" parsed="|Exod|28|6|28|14" passage="Ex 28:6-14">ver.
6-14</scripRef>. (2.) A breast-plate of judgment (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.15-Exod.28.29" parsed="|Exod|28|15|28|29" passage="Ex 28:15-29">ver. 15-29</scripRef>), in which must be put
the urim and thummim, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.30" parsed="|Exod|28|30|0|0" passage="Ex 28:30">ver.
30</scripRef>. (3.) The robe of the ephod, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.31-Exod.28.35" parsed="|Exod|28|31|28|35" passage="Ex 28:31-35">ver. 31-35</scripRef>. (4.) The mitre, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.36-Exod.28.39" parsed="|Exod|28|36|28|39" passage="Ex 28:36-39">ver. 36-39</scripRef>. 2. The garments of the
inferior priests, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.40-Exod.28.43" parsed="|Exod|28|40|28|43" passage="Ex 28:40-43">ver.
40-43</scripRef>. And these also were shadows of good things to
come.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxix-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28" parsed="|Exod|28|0|0|0" passage="Ex 28" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxix-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.1-Exod.28.5" parsed="|Exod|28|1|28|5" passage="Ex 28:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.28.1-Exod.28.5">
<h4 id="Ex.xxix-p1.11">The Priests' Attire. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxix-p2">1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and
his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may
minister unto me in the priest's office, <i>even</i> Aaron, Nadab
and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.   2 And thou
shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for
beauty.   3 And thou shalt speak unto all <i>that are</i> wise
hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they
may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister
unto me in the priest's office.   4 And these <i>are</i> the
garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a
robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall
make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may
minister unto me in the priest's office.   5 And they shall
take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p3">We have here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p4">I. The priests nominated: <i>Aaron and his
sons,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.1" parsed="|Exod|28|1|0|0" passage="Ex 28:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>.
Hitherto every master of a family was priest to his own family, and
offered, as he saw cause, upon altars of earth; but now that the
families of Israel began to be incorporated into a nation, and a
<i>tabernacle of the congregation</i> was to be erected, as a
visible centre of their unity, it was requisite there should be a
public priesthood instituted. Moses, who had hitherto officiated,
and is therefore reckoned among the <i>priests of the Lord</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.99.6" parsed="|Ps|99|6|0|0" passage="Ps 99:6">Ps. xcix. 6</scripRef>), had enough to
do as their prophet to consult the oracle for them, and as their
prince to judge among them; nor was he desirous to engross all the
honours to himself, or to entail that of the priesthood, which
alone was hereditary, upon his own family, but was very well
pleased to see his brother Aaron invested in this office, and his
sons after him, while (how great soever he was) his sons after him
would be but common Levites. It is an instance of the humility of
that great man, and an evidence of his sincere regard for the glory
of God, that he had so little regard to the preferment of his own
family. Aaron, who had humbly served as a prophet to his younger
brother Moses, and did not decline the office (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.1" parsed="|Exod|7|1|0|0" passage="Ex 7:1"><i>ch.</i> vii. 1</scripRef>), is now advanced to be a
priest, a high priest to God; for he will exalt those that abase
themselves. Nor could any man have <i>taken this honour to
himself,</i> but he that was <i>called of God to it,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.5.4" parsed="|Heb|5|4|0|0" passage="Heb 5:4">Heb. v. 4</scripRef>. God had said of Israel in
general that they should be to him a <i>kingdom of priests,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.19.6" parsed="|Exod|19|6|0|0" passage="Ex 19:6"><i>ch.</i> xix. 6</scripRef>. But
because it was requisite that those who ministered at the altar
should give themselves wholly to the service, and because that
which is everybody's work will soon come to be nobody's work, God
here chose from among them one to be a family of priests, the
father and his four sons; and from Aaron's loins descended all the
priests of the Jewish church, of whom we read so often, both in the
Old Testament and in the New. A blessed thing it is when real
holiness goes, as the ceremonial holiness did, by succession in a
family.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p5">II. The priests' garments appointed, <i>for
glory and beauty,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.2" parsed="|Exod|28|2|0|0" passage="Ex 28:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. Some of the richest materials were to be provided
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.5" parsed="|Exod|28|5|0|0" passage="Ex 28:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), and the best
artists employed in the making of them, whose skill God, by a
<i>special gift</i> for this purpose, would improve to a very high
degree, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.3" parsed="|Exod|28|3|0|0" passage="Ex 28:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Note,
Eminence, even in common arts, is a gift of God, it comes from him,
and, as there is occasion, it ought to be used for him. He that
teaches the husbandman discretion teaches the tradesman also; both
therefore ought to honour God with their gain. Human learning ought
particularly to be consecrated to the service of the priesthood,
and employed for the adorning of those that minister about holy
things. The garments appointed were, 1. Four, which both the high
priest and the inferior priests wore, namely, the linen breeches,
the linen coat, the linen girdle which fastened it to them, and the
bonnet or turban; that which the high priest wore is called <i>a
mitre.</i> 2. Four more, which were peculiar to the high priest,
namely, the ephod, with the curious girdle of it, the breast-plate
of judgment, the long robe with the bells and pomegranates at the
bottom of it, and the golden plate on his forehead. These glorious
garments were appointed, (1.) That the priests themselves might be
reminded of the dignity of their office, and might behave
themselves with due decorum. (2.) That the people might thereby be
possessed with a holy reverence of that God whose ministers
appeared in such grandeur. (3.) That the priests might be types of
Christ, who should offer himself without spot to God, and of all
Christians, who have the beauty of holiness put upon them, in which
they are consecrated to God. Our adorning, now under the gospel,
both that of ministers and Christians, is not to be of gold, and
pearl, and costly array, but the <i>garments of salvation, and the
robe of righteousness,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.61.10 Bible:Ps.132.9 Bible:Ps.132.16" parsed="|Isa|61|10|0|0;|Ps|132|9|0|0;|Ps|132|16|0|0" passage="Isa 61:10,Ps 132:9,16">Isa. lxi. 10; Ps. cxxxii. 9, 16</scripRef>.
As the filthy garments wherewith Joshua the high priest was clothed
signified the iniquity which cleaved to his priesthood, from which
care was taken that it should be purged (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Zech.3.3-Zech.3.4" parsed="|Zech|3|3|3|4" passage="Zec 3:3,4">Zech. iii. 3, 4</scripRef>), so those <i>holy
garments</i> signified the perfect purity that there is in the
priesthood of Christ; he is holy, harmless, and undefiled.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxix-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.6-Exod.28.14" parsed="|Exod|28|6|28|14" passage="Ex 28:6-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.28.6-Exod.28.14">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxix-p6">6 And they shall make the ephod <i>of</i> gold,
<i>of</i> blue, and <i>of</i> purple, <i>of</i> scarlet, and fine
twined linen, with cunning work.   7 It shall have the two
shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and
<i>so</i> it shall be joined together.   8 And the curious
girdle of the ephod, which <i>is</i> upon it, shall be of the same,
according to the work thereof; <i>even of</i> gold, <i>of</i> blue,
and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.   9 And thou
shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the
children of Israel:   10 Six of their names on one stone, and
<i>the other</i> six names of the rest on the other stone,
according to their birth.   11 With the work of an engraver in
stone, <i>like</i> the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave
the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt
make them to be set in ouches of gold.   12 And thou shalt put
the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod <i>for</i> stones of
memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their
names before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p6.1">Lord</span> upon his two
shoulders for a memorial.   13 And thou shalt make ouches
<i>of</i> gold;   14 And two chains <i>of</i> pure gold at the
ends; <i>of</i> wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the
wreathen chains to the ouches.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p7">Directions are here given concerning the
ephod, which was the outmost garment of the high priest.
<i>Linen</i> ephods were worn by the inferior priests, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.22.18" parsed="|1Sam|22|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 22:18">1 Sam. xxii. 18</scripRef>. Samuel wore one
when he was a child (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.2.18" parsed="|1Sam|2|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 2:18">1 Sam. ii.
18</scripRef>), and David when he danced before the ark (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.6.14" parsed="|2Sam|6|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 6:14">2 Sam. vi. 14</scripRef>); but this which the
high priest only wore was called a <i>golden ephod,</i> because
there was a great deal of gold woven into it. It was a short coat
without sleeves, buttoned closely to him, with a curious girdle of
the same stuff (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.6-Exod.28.8" parsed="|Exod|28|6|28|8" passage="Ex 28:6-8"><i>v.</i>
6-8</scripRef>); the shoulder-pieces were buttoned together with
two precious stones set in gold, one on each shoulder, on which
were engraven the names of the <i>children of Israel,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.9-Exod.28.12" parsed="|Exod|28|9|28|12" passage="Ex 28:9-12"><i>v.</i> 9-12</scripRef>. In allusion to
this, 1. Christ our high priest appeared to John <i>girt about the
breast with a golden girdle,</i> such as was the curious girdle of
the ephod, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.13" parsed="|Rev|1|13|0|0" passage="Re 1:13">Rev. i. 13</scripRef>.
Righteousness is the girdle of his loins (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.11.6" parsed="|Isa|11|6|0|0" passage="Isa 11:6">Isa. xi. 6</scripRef>), and should be of ours, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.14" parsed="|Eph|6|14|0|0" passage="Eph 6:14">Eph. vi. 14</scripRef>. He is girt with strength
for the work of our salvation, and is ready for it. 2. The
government is said to be <i>upon his shoulders</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.9" osisRef="Bible:Isa.9.6" parsed="|Isa|9|6|0|0" passage="Isa 9:6">Isa. ix. 6</scripRef>), as Aaron had the names of
all Israel upon his shoulders in precious stone. He presents to
himself and to his Father <i>a glorious church,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.10" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.27" parsed="|Eph|5|27|0|0" passage="Eph 5:27">Eph. v. 27</scripRef>. He has power to support
them, interest to recommend them, and it is in him that they are
remembered with honour and favour. He bears them before the Lord
<i>for a memorial</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p7.11" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.12" parsed="|Exod|28|12|0|0" passage="Ex 28:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>), in token of his <i>appearing before God</i> as the
representative of all Israel and an advocate for them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxix-p7.12" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28" parsed="|Exod|28|0|0|0" passage="Ex 28" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xxix-p7.13" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.15-Exod.28.30" parsed="|Exod|28|15|28|30" passage="Ex 28:15-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.28.15-Exod.28.30">
<h4 id="Ex.xxix-p7.14">Aaron's Attire. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p7.15">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxix-p8">15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of
judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt
make it; <i>of</i> gold, <i>of</i> blue, and <i>of</i> purple, and
<i>of</i> scarlet, and <i>of</i> fine twined linen, shalt thou make
it.   16 Foursquare it shall be <i>being</i> doubled; a span
<i>shall be</i> the length thereof, and a span <i>shall be</i> the
breadth thereof.   17 And thou shalt set in it settings of
stones, <i>even</i> four rows of stones: <i>the first</i> row
<i>shall be</i> a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: <i>this shall
be</i> the first row.   18 And the second row <i>shall be</i>
an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.   19 And the third row
a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.   20 And the fourth row a
beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in
their inclosings.   21 And the stones shall be with the names
of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names,
<i>like</i> the engravings of a signet; every one with his name
shall they be according to the twelve tribes.   22 And thou
shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends <i>of</i>
wreathen work <i>of</i> pure gold.   23 And thou shalt make
upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings
on the two ends of the breastplate.   24 And thou shalt put
the two wreathen <i>chains</i> of gold in the two rings <i>which
are</i> on the ends of the breastplate.   25 And <i>the
other</i> two ends of the two wreathen <i>chains</i> thou shalt
fasten in the two ouches, and put <i>them</i> on the shoulderpieces
of the ephod before it.   26 And thou shalt make two rings of
gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate
in the border thereof, which <i>is</i> in the side of the ephod
inward.   27 And two <i>other</i> rings of gold thou shalt
make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath,
toward the forepart thereof, over against the <i>other</i> coupling
thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.   28 And they
shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of
the ephod with a lace of blue, that <i>it</i> may be above the
curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p8.1">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p8.2">Lord</span>: and Aaron shall
bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p8.3">Lord</span> continually.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p9">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, &amp;c., two spans long and
a span broad, so that, being doubled, it was a span square,
<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.16" parsed="|Exod|28|16|0|0" passage="Ex 28:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. This was
fastened to the ephod with wreathen chains of gold (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.13-Exod.28.14 Bible:Exod.28.22" parsed="|Exod|28|13|28|14;|Exod|28|22|0|0" passage="Ex 28:13,14,22"><i>v.</i> 13, 14, 22</scripRef>, &amp;c.)
both at top and bottom, so that <i>the breast-plate might not be
loosed from the ephod,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.28" parsed="|Exod|28|28|0|0" passage="Ex 28:28"><i>v.</i>
28</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p10">I. The tribes of Israel were recommended to
God's favour in twelve precious stones, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.17-Exod.28.21 Bible:Exod.28.29" parsed="|Exod|28|17|28|21;|Exod|28|29|0|0" passage="Ex 28:17-21,29"><i>v.</i> 17-21, 29</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.10" parsed="|Exod|28|10|0|0" passage="Ex 28:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), 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> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Eph.2.6" parsed="|Eph|2|6|0|0" passage="Eph 2:6">Eph. ii.
6</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.43.4" parsed="|Isa|43|4|0|0" passage="Isa 43:4">Isa. xliii.
4</scripRef>. They shall be his in the day he <i>makes up his
jewels,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Mal.3.17" parsed="|Mal|3|17|0|0" passage="Mal 3:17">Mal. iii. 17</scripRef>.
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>
<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Lam.4.2" parsed="|Lam|4|2|0|0" passage="La 4:2">Lam. iv. 2</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.29" parsed="|Exod|28|29|0|0" passage="Ex 28:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>), <i>carries them in his
bosom</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.40.11" parsed="|Isa|40|11|0|0" passage="Isa 40:11">Isa. xl. 11</scripRef>),
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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Isa.49.16" parsed="|Isa|49|16|0|0" passage="Isa 49:16">Isa. xlix.
16</scripRef>), but engraven upon the heart of the great
intercessor. See <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:Song.8.6" parsed="|Song|8|6|0|0" passage="So 8:6">Cant. viii.
6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p11">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> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.30" parsed="|Exod|28|30|0|0" passage="Ex 28:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>.
<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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.8.8" parsed="|Lev|8|8|0|0" passage="Le 8:8">Lev. viii. 8</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.25.22" parsed="|Exod|25|22|0|0" passage="Ex 25:22"><i>ch.</i> xxv. 22</scripRef>); thus, it should seem,
Phinehas did, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Judg.20.27-Judg.20.28" parsed="|Judg|20|27|20|28" passage="Jdg 20:27,28">Judg. xx. 27,
28</scripRef>. If he was at a distance from the ark, as Abiathar
was when he enquired of the Lord for David (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.23.6" parsed="|1Sam|23|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 23:6">1 Sam. xxiii. 6</scripRef>, &amp;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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Num.27.21" parsed="|Num|27|21|0|0" passage="Nu 27:21">Num.
xxvii. 21</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.2.63" parsed="|Ezra|2|63|0|0" passage="Ezr 2:63">Ezra ii.
63</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.8" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.2 Bible:John.1.18" parsed="|Heb|1|2|0|0;|John|1|18|0|0" passage="Heb 1:2,Joh 1:18">Heb. i. 2; John i. 18</scripRef>. 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>
<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p11.9" osisRef="Bible:Rev.5.9" parsed="|Rev|5|9|0|0" passage="Re 5:9">Rev. v. 9</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxix-p11.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.31-Exod.28.39" parsed="|Exod|28|31|28|39" passage="Ex 28:31-39" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.28.31-Exod.28.39">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxix-p12">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p12.1">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p12.2">Lord</span>.   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p13">Here is, 1. Direction given concerning
<i>the robe of the ephod,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.31-Exod.28.35" parsed="|Exod|28|31|28|35" passage="Ex 28:31-35"><i>v.</i> 31-35</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.10" parsed="|Luke|1|10|0|0" passage="Lu 1:10">Luke i. 10</scripRef>), 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> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.89.15" parsed="|Ps|89|15|0|0" passage="Ps 89:15">Ps. lxxxix. 15</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.36-Exod.28.37" parsed="|Exod|28|36|28|37" passage="Ex 28:36,37"><i>v.</i> 36,
37</scripRef>), 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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.38" parsed="|Exod|28|38|0|0" passage="Ex 28:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>),
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, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.5" parsed="|1Pet|2|5|0|0" passage="1Pe 2:5">1 Pet.
ii. 5</scripRef>. 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>
<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:John.17.19" parsed="|John|17|19|0|0" passage="Joh 17:19">John xvii. 19</scripRef>. Having
<i>such a high priest,</i> we come <i>boldly to the throne of
grace,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:Heb.4.14-Heb.4.16" parsed="|Heb|4|14|4|16" passage="Heb 4:14-16">Heb. iv.
14-16</scripRef>. 3. The rest of the garments are but named
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.39" parsed="|Exod|28|39|0|0" passage="Ex 28:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>), 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>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p13.10" osisRef="Bible:Zech.6.13" parsed="|Zech|6|13|0|0" passage="Zec 6:13">Zech. vi. 13</scripRef>), a priest
with a crown. These two God has joined, and we must not think to
separate them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xxix-p13.11" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.40-Exod.28.43" parsed="|Exod|28|40|28|43" passage="Ex 28:40-43" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.28.40-Exod.28.43">
<h4 id="Ex.xxix-p13.12">The Priests' Attire. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xxix-p13.13">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xxix-p14">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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xxix-p15">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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.40" parsed="|Exod|28|40|0|0" passage="Ex 28:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>),
that they might look great in their ministration: yet all this
glory was nothing compared with the glory of grace, this beauty
nothing to the beauty of holiness, of which these holy garments
were typical. They are particularly ordered, in their ministration,
to wear <i>linen breeches,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.42" parsed="|Exod|28|42|0|0" passage="Ex 28:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>. This teaches us modesty and
decency of garb and gesture at all times, especially in public
worship, in which a veil is becoming, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.5-1Cor.11.6 Bible:1Cor.11.10" parsed="|1Cor|11|5|11|6;|1Cor|11|10|0|0" passage="1Co 11:5,6,10">1 Cor. xi. 5, 6, 10</scripRef>. It also intimates
what need our souls have of a covering, when we come before God,
that the <i>shame of their nakedness may not appear.</i> 2. A
general rule concerning the garments both of the high priest and of
the inferior priests, that they were to be put upon them, at first,
when they were consecrated, in token of their being invested in the
office (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.41" parsed="|Exod|28|41|0|0" passage="Ex 28:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>), and
then they were to wear them in all their ministrations, but not at
other times (<scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.28.43" parsed="|Exod|28|43|0|0" passage="Ex 28:43"><i>v.</i> 43</scripRef>),
and this at their peril, lest they <i>bear iniquity and die.</i>
Those who are guilty of omissions in duty, as well as omissions of
duty, shall <i>bear their iniquity.</i> If the priests perform the
instituted service, and do not do it in the appointed garments, it
is (say the Jewish doctors) as if a stranger did it, and the
<i>stranger that comes nigh shall be put to death.</i> Nor will God
connive at the presumptions and irreverences even of those whom he
causes to draw most near to him; if Aaron himself put a slight upon
the divine institution, he shall bear iniquity, and die. To us
these garments typify, (1.) The righteousness of Christ; if we
appear not before God in this, we shall <i>bear iniquity and
die.</i> What have we to do at the wedding-feast without a
wedding-garment, or at God's altar without the array of his
priests? <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:Matt.22.12-Matt.22.13" parsed="|Matt|22|12|22|13" passage="Mt 22:12,13">Matt. xxii. 12,
13</scripRef>. (2.) <i>The armour of God</i> prescribed <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.13" parsed="|Eph|6|13|0|0" passage="Eph 6:13">Eph. vi. 13</scripRef>. If we venture without
that armour, our spiritual enemies will be the death of our souls,
and we shall bear the iniquity, our blood will be upon our own
heads. Blessed is he therefore that watcheth, and keepeth his
garments, <scripRef id="Ex.xxix-p15.8" osisRef="Bible:Rev.16.15" parsed="|Rev|16|15|0|0" passage="Re 16:15">Rev. xvi. 15</scripRef>. 3.
This is said to be a <i>statute for ever,</i> that is, it is to
continue as long as the priesthood continues. But it is to have its
perpetuity in the substance of which these things were the
shadows.</p>
</div></div2>