Exodus 28
“Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve Me as priests. Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.” Exodus 28:1-2 NIV
Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priesthood. In this chapter, God gives the specific instructions regarding the holy (meaning, set apart) clothing that Aaron and his sons are to wear when they go before the Lord in the temple. The garments, like all the instructions God gives in Exodus, are meant to be a picture of Christ. The first thing to note is that all of the materials used are beautiful, luxurious materials, and fine stones. It speaks to the gloriousness and beauty of God and Christ. They are for His glory! The Ephod described in Exodus 28:6-14 is meant to be worn over linen clothes, and had the names of the 12 children of Israel engraved on 2 onyx stones on his shoulders, so when he went before the Lord, he carried the entire nation on his shoulders. This points to the coming Christ, our High Priest, who goes before the Lord on our behalf and carries us as well. The breastplate described in Exodus 28:15-30 covered the heart and had 12 precious stones engraved on it. The stones are also found in Revelation where we can see that they form the foundation for the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19-20). Jesus Christ now carries us on His heart, where our names are forever engraved.
“Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die.” Exodus 28:31-35 NIV
The pomegranates on the hem of the robe can be seen as a symbol of spiritual fruit. In the Bible, fruit refers to the product of doing good works in God’s Name and the result of living a life that honors and pleases God. In Colossians, Paul says, “The way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better” (Colossians 1:10).
“Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants.” Exodus 28:42-43 NIV
An important thing to note here is that there was NO flesh shown, as the garments covered the entire body. This symbolizes that God is not concerned with the works of the flesh, but rather with the work Christ does in us.