Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Prayer Meeting Lesson Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/pm/pm20070516.htm

EXODUS: FUNCTIONING WELL IN A HOPELESS GROUP ASSIGNMENT
Part II: God's Sustainment Of Israel In The Wilderness Amid Humanly Hopeless Trials
M. God's Establishment Of The Tabernacle Of Meeting
9. The High Priest's Clothing: Christ's Intercessory Work In Our Behalf
(Exodus 28:1-43)
  1. Introduction
    1. Since His ascension before the Day of Pentecost and until the Rapture of the Church, the Lord Jesus has been seated at God the Father's right hand interceding in our behalf as our Great High Priest, Heb. 1:1-3.
    2. For us to benefit to the full of this edifying ministry, we must understand it so we know how to apply it, and the attire of the Hebrew high priest typifies this great ministry, and instructs us on its edifying details:
  2. The High Priest's Clothing: Christ's Intercessory Work In Our Behalf, Exodus 28:1-43.
    1. God gave instructions to Moses on the clothing of the priests in general along with the special attire that the high priest, Aaron was to wear in serving the Lord in the tabernacle, Exodus 28:1-3.
    2. Aaron was to be clad with seven key articles of clothing, each having typological significance of the heavenly intercessory work of Christ in the Christian's behalf, cf. Exodus 28:4-43 (as follows):
      1. The ephod typifies Christ's EMPATHETIC intercession for us, Ex. 28:6-14; Heb. 2:16-18; 5:6-10:
        1. The ephod was a two-piece, sleeveless garment of linen embroidered with red, blue and purple yarns, the same as the attractive tabernacle curtains, and it was "held to the body by" an "ornamental belt . . . and joined at the shoulders by straps," Ryrie St. Bible, KJV, 1978 ed., ftn. to Ex. 28:6-14.
        2. Two onyx stones connecting the two-piece garment were worn atop the shoulders with each stone listing six of the 12 tribes of Israel, typologically revealing Christ as ably bearing our needs before the Father due to His earthly suffering and sinless temptations that equipped Him to be an empathetic, effective Intercessor in our behalf, cf. Ex. 28:12 with Hebrews 2:16-18; 5:6-10.
      2. The breastplate typifies Christ's LOVING intercession for us, showing His desire to intercede in our behalf, Exodus 28:15-29 with Galatians 2:20: the breastplate, worn over the heart, contained twelve precious stones, each representing a tribe in Israel (Ex. 28:15, 17, 21, 29), and typifying Christ's endearing love for each of His people that He might in personal love intercede for them, cf. Gal. 2:20b.
      3. The Urum and Thummim, used to discern God's will (Exodus 27:21), typifies the intercession of Christ [and the Holy Spirit] is CORRECT, in accord with the Father's will, Ex. 28:30 with Rom. 8:27.
      4. The robe typifies Christ's SURE access to the Father for us, Ex. 28:31-35; Heb. 9:24-28; 10:19-25:
        1. The robe of blue pictures the heavens, and its combination of bells and pomegranates at its lowest hem represents the productive, sure ministry of the high priest for the people when they could hear the tinkling of these bells as the high priest was hidden from their view in the tabernacle, 28:34-35.
        2. This all typifies the sure work of Christ in the heavens in our behalf, giving us confidence before the Father in our relationship and walk before Him, Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-25.
      5. The gold plate represents Christ's EFFECTIVE intercession as His sacrifice on the cross that underlies His intercession satisfies the Father's demands regarding our sin, Ex. 28:36-38; Heb. 10:4-14.
      6. The tunic depicts the righteousness of Christ's earthly life activity as our SPOTLESS High Priest Who is then able to stand before the Father in our behalf, Ex. 28:39 with Rev. 19:8 NIV, ESV; Heb. 4:15-16.
      7. The undergarments indirectly signify Christ's absence of a sin nature, qualifying Him to be our ACCEPTABLE Mediator with the Father, cf. Ex. 28:42 and 2 Cor. 5:21 in contrast to Genesis 3:6-11:
        1. The priests with Aaron had to wear undergarments to cover their nakedness, Ex. 28:42.
        2. Now, man's awareness of physical nakedness was a result of Adam's fall into sin, Genesis 3:6-11.
        3. Yet, Christ has no sin nature (2 Cor. 5:21), so He is our acceptable Mediator to the Father, Heb. 8:6.
Lesson: The high priest's attire shows Christ empathetically, lovingly, correctly, assuredly, effectively, spotlessly and acceptably intercedes in our behalf for our weaknesses and sins before God the Father!

Application: Instead of spiritual WEAKNESS, sinful DEFEAT, GUILT and DEPRESSION in our Christian experience, may we utilize Christ's intercessory work in our behalf to the full by praying candidly and constantly about all our needs, and find STRENGTH, VICTORY and FORGIVENESS that we might RELAX, REJOICE and be PRODUCTIVE in our WALK, Hebrews 4:16!