Exodus 28:31-43 – Approach God rightly attired

The high priest who would come before God must be properly attired. Why? It is because of the awesome responsibility on his shoulder. They were no ordinary attire but those that God had instructed Moses how to have them made. He would wear the ephod with the 12 tribes of Israel on his shoulders. Then he would put on the breastplate of decision with four rows of three gems stones each. Each stone was engraved with the name of a tribe of Israel. This suggests that he ministered to the Lord with the valued people of Israel close to his heart.      

Exodus 28:31-35 show us how the robe of the priestly garment was to be made. It was to be blue and violet in colour, the same as the curtain of the veil that was used to cover the Holy of holies. It would be a seamless garment that would be worn underneath the ephod. Its length would roughly be around the knees of the high priest. The opening was to be sturdy so that the priest wearing it could pull it over his head much like putting on a poncho. Little pomegranates and bells were alternatingly sewn on the hem. The bells would give a tinkling sound whenever the high priest is serving, to indicate that he was well, alive and serving. The pomegranates with its many seeds were symbols of fruitfulness. In verse 36 a plate of pure gold with the words: ‘Holy to the Lord’ engraved on it was to be attached with blue cords to the turban. Aaron as the high priest would wear it as he went before the Lord. The inscription - Holy to the Lord – indicates Aaron was on sacred service, serving the holy and majestic God.  

Verses 39-41 tell us that a less elaborate garment was made for the sons of Aaron, the other priests, to serve in the Holy Place. Aaron and his sons were then to be consecrated to the ministry of the priesthood. Verses 42-43 describe how the undergarment was to be made and worn by all the priests whenever they went before the Lord. It was “to cover their bare flesh” all the way to the loins even to the thighs. Aaron and his sons need to wear them “…when they enter the tent of meeting, or when they approach the altar to minister in the holy place so that they do not incur guilt and die.” God’s purpose was to ensure that the priests serving Him must be dressed to preserve their modesty.

Even in the elaborate detail of the high priest’s garment, we must not forget that service to the Lord must be a sacred and set apart service. The priest comes to God representing His people. And the God he is coming before is holy and glorious. For our majestic and holy God, flippancy is not befitting. The priest had to be fittingly dressed. The high priest would go before God in the Holy of holies bearing the guilt of Israel’s sin. For their sin, they would bring an offering to the Lord. It was the priest who would help them to present it to God. And because the priest was deemed to be holy to the Lord, their gift would be accepted by God. The thought that the Lord Jesus is our high priest serving on our behalf in the heavenly tabernacle is so reassuring. In Him, we have holy par excellence, as our high priest. Let us confidently come to God through Him.