The Death of the Messiah (Continued)

Sacrifices and Offerings

As we continue our study of the T'nach and the way it points to the ultimate sacrifice provided by God at Golgotha, we examine the operation of the sanctuary. Currently, we are contemplating the robes of the High Priest.

The Garments (Continued)




High Preist

 

Underneath the ephod was the main robe, a garment all of blue, to harmonize with the color of the ephod, but not to rival it in beauty and glory. The word translated ‘robe’, in other places of the T’nach, refers to the attire of kings and princes, although it is also used of other dignitaries, for example, Samuel and Ezra. Clearly the robe was designed to reflect the dignity of the office and was the work of either Bezaleel or Aholiab, men whom God had gifted to weave, sew and embroider as well as to work with gold.

There was yet more – for on the hem of the robe were golden bells and pomegranates. Pomegranates are mentioned as particular fruits of Canaan, the land of promise, as well as being associated with idea of love for they are the pleasant fruits which delight the beloved. Interspersed with the fruit were the golden bells. There has been much speculation regarding the meaning of the fruit and the bells, and I will not add to it here other than to say, that in other contexts the fringe of the robe was to remind the wearer of the commandments of God, that they were to practice holiness and that they were entering the presence of a Holy God. Moses was instructed: “Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner. And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD your God.” (Numbers 15:38–41) If this is the advertised purpose of fringes sown on to the taliths of the Jewish people, then it is possible that it was also the emphasis for the fringe of the High Priest’s robe.

The High Priest was also required to wear a head covering, a mitre of fine linen. This linen bonnet was to be decorated with a diadem, a band of gold, on which was engraved the words ‘HOLINESS TO THE LORD’. Because of this diadem the headpiece is later called “the holy crown of pure gold” (Exod.39:30). For Aaron, the first High Priest, it signified that he was sanctified of the Lord, and that by a faithful performance of his duties the offerings he brought on behalf of the people were also sanctified. Aaron as High Priest was suited to the office he held, although his holiness was imputed and not inherent. Jesus, on the other hand, is described as a High Priest with inherent holiness. “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26).

For Aaron in particular, but also for his sons, a key aspect of the priesthood is given in the phrase, “that he may minister to me”. They were the servants of YHWH, and the sacrificial system in which they were involved they were considered those that waited upon the Lord and upon his guests (the worshippers). The tabernacle and the Temple later, was to be considered the house of the Lord, and the festivals, especially the pilgrim feasts were times when God invited his people to His house for fellowship and a meal. The Passover especially was the festival when food played a major part in the fellowship; and almost all sacrifices that were offered to the Lord also allowed some to serve as food for the offerer and food for the priest. While the worshippers brought the food, it was as guests desiring to contribute to the meal, and also an acknowledgement that it first belonged to YHWH. In this meal-based sacrificial system, the priests were the servants of God, ministering both to the Lord and to the Lord’s guests.

It seems that one of the main purposes of the activities of the Priesthood was to act as an interface between deity and humanity. It was a place where man could feel comfortable (as much as man could ever feel comfortable) in the presence of God; and where God could be confident that His holiness would not overwhelm the people He loved. That the Lord Jesus fulfilled this purpose perfectly must be acknowledged. In the humility of the incarnation it was abundantly clear that people were comfortable in His presence. Mothers brought their children to Him, recognized ‘sinners’ washed His feet, disciples lay on His breast. And He was comfortable in their presence – no possibility of them being consumed by the fire of God, as some were in the presence of Elijah. This sweet relationship between God and humanity has been continued by the present High Priestly office of Jesus. We are encouraged to come into God’s presence because our Great High Priest has made us presentable to the Father. Moreover, God is happy that we should come because we are acceptable in the Beloved, in Christ.

Next Time: We meditate on the Sanctuary (where the priesthood served)