Coachlight Bible Study – Exodus Lesson 27 – Approaching God
Part V – Approach God Only By The High Priest Who Takes Away The Vail
II Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
II Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
II Corinthians 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
II Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
II Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
It is God’s eternal plan to tabernacle with man. But since Adam fell, it has been difficult for sinful man to approach a holy God. God of course knew this, and planned out His will centered on the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Through this slain Lamb, we can approach God, and without Him this approaching is completely impossible. Many times we twist Scripture by inserting our own preconceived notions into Scripture, instead of extracting out of Scripture God’s meaning.
The Messiah, the One the Father sent into the world, dealt with the religious of His day. Christ healed a man on the Sabbath. The religious Jews had interpreted this miracle on the Sabbath as being against the law of Moses. When these religious Jews confronted Jesus about this, He answered them, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” Now the religious hated Him more because they had no conception of Who He Is. He is the God Man Whom the Father sent into the world. Although they had “searched the Scriptures”, they had interpreted the Scriptures erroneously. Christ, after explaining Who He Is, told them they were interpreting the Scripture incorrectly, and taught all of us that the Scriptures actually testify of the very One that they were accusing of breaking Moses’ law! He then told them:
John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
Can we see that the Jews were seeking religious respect from each other, rather than finding eternal life through the One whom the Father sent?
We often are guilty of doing the very same act today. Instead of extracting God’s message from the Scriptures, we often, just like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, insert into the Scriptures our erroneous religious knowledge instead of seeking what God meant when He wrote it. That process is not worshipping God, it is worshiping each other. The Scriptures teach:
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
How do we worship God in Spirit and in truth? The study of the tabernacle in Exodus teaches us that the only way to approach God is by gathering together and opening up Scripture truthfully by seeking God’s meaning not man’s, we are worshiping in Spirit and in Truth:
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The Book of Exodus is all about how to approach God. Remember in the third chapter, God appeared to Moses as a flame in a bush that was not consumed? God was teaching Moses then how to approach a Holy God and not be consumed. Yahweh continued throughout the Bible teaching all who desires to dig into God’s Word, the way for a sinful man to approach a holy God, not unto death, but eternal life
Part I – Approach Christ Through The Father’s Draw
It is through Scripture that we are drawn by the Father to the Son:
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Part II – Approach The Father Only Through Christ
In part two of this series we went a bit further into the concept of approaching God. While it is true, that the Father draws us to Christ with Scripture, it is also true that no one approaches the Father except through Christ:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
This teaching is taught in Exodus as God had Moses build the Tabernacle.
We know that every part of the Tabernacle and its furnishings and priestly works were a type of Christ and His work:
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Part III – Approach God Only Through The Rent Vail
In part III we investigated the problem that existed concerning the entrance into the Holy of Holies, barred to everyone except the High Priest, and then only once a year, and then only with blood. The veil, which covered the entrance, symbolized Christ’s flesh, actually prevented man from approaching God. God’s glory could only be seen from the outside. There was no way for sinful man to approach a holy God.
We learned before that sinful man could approach Christ only by the Father’s draw, and that the Father draws by the Scripture. Then we learned that we can approach God only through Christ. But the problem still existed. Sinful man could not approach God because Christ’s sin less life, which was symbolized by the veil, stood in the way.
Christ’s life did not give us access to the Father, rather it gave us condemnation. When we stand facing the veil of His sinless life, we realize how unworthy we are.
But Glory to God, His death caused that wall of partition to be abolished so that we can approach the throne of God with boldness by a new and living way.
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Hebrews 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Part IV – Approach God Only By Way Of The Altar
Part four brings us to the front gate of the Tabernacle. This gate was the only way into the outer court, the door was the only way into the holy place, and the vail was the only way into the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is where the meeting takes place between God and His people. Christ pointed out these three ways, and demonstrated that they spoke of Himself and good things to come:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Christ is the only way into the outer court where the brazen altar comes into view. Here a man could pass on by and not meet God, but if he wants to approach a holy God he must go through the only Way. Christ is also the only door leading into the holy place, where worship and fellowship are experienced in Spirit and in Truth. Christ is also, or His body is, the vail, the only way into the Holy of Holies, where man and God tabernacle together forever.
But first, one must pass the brazen altar in the outer court. If a man is to approach God and not die, he must have an innocent substitute die for him. This of course, points forward to the supreme once and for all substitute for mankind – Christ on the cross:
Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Hebrews 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Hebrews 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,)to do thy will, O God.
Hebrews 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
I. The Book Of Exodus Is Typical Of Christ And His Work
Moses – A Type of Christ |
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Moses |
Christ |
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At Moses birth, the Pharaoh wanted all Hebrew boys killed. Exodus 1:15-16 |
At Christ’s birth, Herod wanted all Hebrew children killed. Matthew 2:16 |
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The common Hebrew was actually a prince and heir to Egypt. Acts 7:21-22; Hebrews 11:24; Exodus 2:10 |
Christ, a carpenter’s son, was actually heir of all things. Hebrews 1:2; Philippians 2:6-2:8 |
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Moses, seeing their burdens, refused the position of second in command in Egypt. Hebrews 11:24-25 |
Jesus, seeing His people’s oppression, became a servant in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:6-8 |
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Moses was rejected by brethren, who said to him, who made you a ruler and a judge over us. Exodus 2:11-14; Acts 7:23-27 |
Jesus was rejected as He came unto His people and was accused of using the power of the devil. Matthew 27:22; Matthew 12:24 |
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After his rejection, Moses took a Gentile Bride. Exodus 2:15-16; Exodus 2:21-22 |
Christ is now gathering together His mostly Gentile Bride of Christ. II Corinthians 11:2 |
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Israel didn’t understand why when the king of Egypt died, that their bondage being increased, asked, “Why God?” Exodus 2:23 |
His disciples didn’t understand why their Messiah had to go to the cross. The church age a mystery. Matthew 16:21-23; John 19:10-11; Acts 1:3-7 |
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God heard their groaning, and remembered His covenant with Abraham. Exodus 2:24-25 |
God will hear the cry of Israel, and remember His covenant with Abraham in the Tribulation. Romans 11:27 |
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The Lord comes down Himself to deliver Israel out of bondage, Moses will lead them out. Exodus 3:7-10 |
The Lord will send Himself, to deliver Israel after the Tribulation. Romans 11:26-28 |
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The Lord sent judgment upon Egypt, Moses, the only one worthy, “broke the seals” of judgment on Egypt. Exodus 7:1-5 |
Christ will be the only One worthy to open the seals of judgment on the antichrist. Revelation 5:6-9 |
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The Pharaoh’s heart was hardened with the judgments of God on Egypt Exodus 7:10-13 |
The world’s heart will be hardened with the judgments of God on the world. Revelation 16:9-11 |
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Through judgment, Israel is delivered out of Egypt. Exodus 14:8-14 |
Through judgment, Israel will be delivered out of the Tribulation Romans 11:25-29 |
III. Tabernacle Furniture - A Type Of Christ And His Work
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Tabernacle Furniture – Typical Of Christ And His Work |
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Earthly Tabernacle |
Christ And His Work |
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Purpose – For God To Dwell With His People – Exodus 25:8 |
Revelation 21:3 …the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, … |
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Patterned After Heavenly Tabernacle – Exodus 25:8-9; Acts 7:44 |
Christ Presented His Blood – Hebrews 8:2; Hebrews 9:23-24 |
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Ark of the Covenant Made Of Shittim Wood Overlaid With Gold |
1. Indestructible Wood Symbols Of Christ’s Humanity - 1 Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9 2. Gold Symbolic Of His Deity - Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 |
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Mercy Seat – 1. Where The Meeting Took Place. 2. Between The Cherubs Where Communion Took Place – Exodus 25:22 |
1. God Often Pictured As Between The Cherubs. – Psalm 80:1; 99:1 2. In This Age God Dwells Within Those Who Are in Christ – John 14:23 |
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Contents Of The Ark: - Exodus 25:10-22 1; Table Of The Covenant 2. Golden Pot Of Manna 3. Aaron’s Rod That Budded |
Type Of Christ 1. Christ As King – Fulfilling God’s Plan 2. Christ As Prophet, Spoke For God; He Is The Bread Of Life – John 6:32 3. Christ As Priest, symbolizing His Resurrection: - Hebrews 7:25, 9:1-28, 10:19-24; I Peter 1:18-19 |
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Table Of Shewbread – Exodus 25:23-30 1. Eaten By Priests Every Sabbath 2. His Sinless Life – Hebrews 9:28 3. Always Present – Priestly Duties – Hebrews 7:21-27 |
Type Of Christ 1. Christ Is Sustenance For Eternal Life – To Worship Must Feed On Him John 6:35, 48, 51; Matthew 22:1-14 2. Unleavened Bread (Leaven symbol Of Sin) 3. Christ Our Eternal Priest – Hebrews 7:25 |
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Golden Candlestick – Exodus 25:31-40
1. Made Of Gold 2. Looked Like Almond Branch 3. Contained Oil Lamps 4. Only Light In Tabernacle 5. The Only Light In The Tabernacle 6. Light Revealed Beauty Of The Candlestick |
Type Of Christ 1. Symbol Of Christ As God – Colossians 2:9 2. Symbolic Of Aaron’s Rod– Christ’s Resurrection Confirmed Christ’s Priesthood, As Aaron’s Rod Did 3. Oil Is Symbol Of The Holy Spirit 4. Christ Is The Only Light – John 1:2-4; 9 5. To Worship Must Walk In The Light -I John 1 6. Holy Spirit Testifies Of Christ – John 15:26 |
IV. Curtains Of The Tabernacle – Typical Of Christ’s Beauty
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Curtains – Typical Of Christ’s Beauty |
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Curtains Of The Tabernacle |
Christ And His Work |
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Four Curtains – Exodus 26:1-14 1. Beautiful Fine Twined Linen Not Allowed To Touch Ground 2. With blue 3. Scarlet, 4. Purple 5. Cherubim |
1. Beautiful white linen symbolizes righteousness – Revelation 19:8; And Christ’s Beauty – Isaiah 28:5; We will behold His beauty at the Rapture - II Thessalonians 4:18 2. Blue symbolizes heaven 3. Scarlet symbolizes Christ’s humanity and the shedding of His blood. 4. Purple represents royalty – (Heaven touching earth as King) 5. Cherubim Are Pictures Of Guardians of God’s throne - Genesis 3:24; Great place to hide Psalm 17:8 |
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2. Goat’s Hair Did Touch Ground |
A Symbol Of Sin – Leviticus 16:9; A Type Of Christ Touching Down Thus Taking On Himself The Sin Of The World – Isaiah 53:6; Contains The Message Of The Gospel – Hebrews 9:24-26 |
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3. Ram’s Skin Dyed Red |
Red Ram Skin A Symbol Of Christ As Our Substitute – It Was A Ram On Mount Moriah Genesis 22:13; A Symbol Of Consecration – Exodus 29:19-22 |
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4. Badger’s Skin (Seal Skin) – Dull Blue Grey Color With No Definite Measurement Or Form Given. |
The Protective Cover Having No Form, Comeliness, Or Beauty That We Should Desire Him. Isaiah 52:13-14; 53:1-6. |
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His Beauty Can Not Be Seen From The Outside. The World Does Not Know Him – John 1:10. Only His Own See His Beauty. |
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1. Table Of Shewbread Demonstrates That To Worship Him We Must Feed On Christ |
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2. Candlestick Shows To Worship Him We Must Be Illuminated By The Holy Spirit |
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3. Coverings Teach We Must Worship Him Beholding His Beauty: Psalm 96:6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Psalm 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: …. |
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V. Boards And Sockets And The Vail Typical Of Christ
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Boards And Sockets Typify Christ |
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Boards And Sockets |
Christ And His Work |
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Boards Made Of Shittim Wood - Indestructible Desert Wood – Resists Termites |
Symbolic Of Christ’s Humanity – Called A Root Out Of Dry Ground – Isaiah 53:2 |
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Boards Overlaid With Pure Gold |
Symbolic Of Christ’s Deity |
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Shittim Wood Plus Pure Gold Make Up One Board |
Two Natures Make Up One Body – An Explanation By God In The Form Of A Mystery. Many Wise Do Not Get It. I Corinthians 1:27; Matthew 11:25 |
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Boards Seated In Sockets Of Silver |
A Type Of Christ’s Work Of Redemption, Delivering Us From This Present Evil World – Galatians 1:3-4 |
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Boards Held Together By Bars |
Typical Of Christ Holding All Things Together – Colossians 1:13-17 |
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Vail Symbolic Of Christ’s Body – Hebrews 10:20 |
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Vail |
Type |
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Exodus 26:31-37 Vail Made Of: 1. Fine Twined Linen 2. With Blue 3. With Scarlet 4. With Purple 5. With Cherubim |
1. Beautiful white linen symbolizes righteousness – Revelation 19:8; And Christ’s Beauty – Isaiah 28:5; We will behold His beauty at the Rapture - II Thessalonians 4:18 2. Blue symbolizes heaven 3. Scarlet symbolizes Christ’s humanity and the shedding of His blood. 4. Purple represents royalty – (Heaven touching earth as King) 5. Cherubim Are Pictures Of Guardians of God’s throne - Genesis 3:24; Great place to hide Psalm 17:8 |
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Vail Hung On Four Pillars 1. All Made Of Shittim Wood Overlaid With Gold Standing In Silver Sockets 2. Pillars Cut Off To Hang Vail– Different From Other Boards |
1. Pictures Deity Taking Hold Of Earth By Redemption 2. Christ Was Cut Off From The Land Of The Living – Isaiah 53:8 |
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The Vail Was A Type Of Christ’s Body |
Hebrews 10:20; Ephesians 2:13-18 |
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The Vail Was Rent In Two At Christ’s Death |
Matthew 27:50-51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45 |
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The Vail Was The Only Entrance To The Holy Of Holies – Exodus 26:33 |
Christ Is The Way, The Truth, And The Life, No One Can Approach The Father Except Through Christ – John 13:6 |
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The Vail Was Only A Type, A Shadow Of Good Things To Come – Hebrews 10:1-4 |
Christ Made A New And Living Way – Hebrews 10:9-22 |
VII. The Brazen Altar – Type Of The Cross
Exodus 27:1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.
Exodus 27:2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basins, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
Exodus 27:4 And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof.
Exodus 27:5 And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.
Exodus 27:6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.
Exodus 27:7 And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.
Exodus 27:8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
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I. Overview Of The Tabernacle
A. The Furniture In The Tabernacle Proper Was Made Of Gold
1. Gold is a symbol of deity
2. Pictures Christ and who He is
B. The Furniture In The Court Was Made Of Brass
1. Brass symbolizes the judgment of sin
2. Pictures Christ’s work
C. The Problem Of Sin Must Be Settled In The Court Before Approaching Holy Place
1. The furniture in the holy place is all of gold
2. The holy place symbolizes communion and worship of God
3. No sin is allowed in the holy place
D. How Can Sinful Man On The Outside Approach A Holy God?
1. The first thing he needs is a substitute to die in his stead
2. Man could just pass by the front gate and not meet God
3. But if that man wants to meet God and not die, he needs a substitute.
a. There must be a death of an innocent substitute on the brazen altar
b. This is the place in which God deals with the sinner
4. The brazen altar symbolizes the cross of Christ
a. Christ is the Only One to die in man’s stead – Our Burnt Offering
Ephesians 5:2 … hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
b. The altar was man-made, but from the heavenly pattern
c. The cross was God’s chosen altar of sacrifice
d. Christ was:
Acts 2:23 … delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,…
e. Christ was not only sinless (innocent), but also:
Revelation 13:8 … the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
f. There is no approach to God except by the brazen altar (cross)
1. There an innocent substitute must be sacrificed and acknowledged
2. John the Baptist called Christ:
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
3. John was referring to Christ as the Substitute on the brazen altar
4. The cross became the brazen altar during the last three hours of Christ on the cross
a. As darkness descended on Christ
b. As Christ paid for the sins of the world
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
g. Man could not worship, pray, or serve God until he came to the brazen altar
1. Every priest and every Levite had to come to this altar
2. Do we see that if Christ had not died on the cross we could not approach God
a. The brazen altar stood at the entrance of the tabernacle
b. The cross (The type of the altar) stands at the entrance of God’s throne
c. The cross was raised on the earth, but there is no entrance to heaven without the cross
VIII. The Garments Of The High Priest
Exodus 28:1 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, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Exodus 28:2 And thou shalt make holy<06944> garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
Exodus 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate<06942> him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
06944 vdq qodesh ko'- desh - from 06942; n m;
holy 262, sanctuary 68, (holy, hallowed,...) things 52, most 44, holiness 30, dedicated 5, hallowed 3, consecrated 1, misc 3; 468
1) apart-ness, holiness, sacredness, separateness
1a) apartness, sacredness, holiness
1a1) of God
1a2) of places
1a3) of things
1b) set-apartness, separateness
06942 vdq qadash kaw-dash' - a primitive root; v;
sanctify 108, hallow 25, dedicate 10, holy 7, prepare 7, consecrate 5, appointed 1, bid 1, purified 1, misc 7; 172
1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated
1a2) to be hallowed
1a3) consecrated, tabooed
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic
1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred
1b3) to be holy
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate
1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred
1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow
1c4) to consecrate
1d) (Pual)
1d1) to be consecrated – Treat as holy
1d2) consecrated, dedicated
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate
1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow
1e3) to consecrate
A. God Had Already Chosen Aaron To Be High Priest
1. In order to perform his duties, certain garments were needed
a. These garments were to be holy kodesh garments
b. Holy means separated out for service for God
c. These holy garments were for the glory of God
d. These garments were to be beautiful
2. Aaron was to serve God in the priest office ()
a. Aaron was to be set aside for office of priest, or kodesh meaning “holy”
b. God was going to consecrate him, or kawdash, meaning “treat as holy”
Exodus 28:4 And these are 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.
Exodus 28:5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
B. Aaron’s Garments Were Made Up Of Six Parts
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1. Breastplate |
4. Broidered Coat |
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2. Ephod |
5. Mitre |
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3. Robe |
6. Girdle |
C. These Garments Were To Be Made Of The Best Materials
Exodus 28:6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
Exodus 28:7 It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.
Exodus 28:8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exodus 28:9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
D. The Ephod
1. Two pieces of cloth brought together and fastened together at the shoulders
2. The material was gathered together at the middle with a girdle
3. Two pieces fastened together with two onyx stones – one on each shoulder
a. Six names of the tribes of Israel on one shoulder
b. Six names of the tribes of Israel on the other shoulder
4. The high priest carried the twelve tribes on his shoulder in the presence of God
a. This is a symbol of strength and power of the High Priest
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
b. Christ referred to this in a parable:
Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Luke 15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luke 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
E. The Breastplate – A Very Beautiful Vest
Exodus 28:15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
Exodus 28:16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
1. This “vest” was worn over the ephod
2. Called the “Breastplate of Judgment
a. Symbolized sin has been judged
b. Today we need a breastplate of righteousness
1. Covers the vile heart within us – Christ’s righteousness made over us
2. This is the only way we can approach God
3. Breastplate Fastened to The Ephod
Exodus 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
Exodus 28:18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exodus 28:19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exodus 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
4. The breastplate had on it twelve precious stones
a. There was four rows of stones
b. There was three to a row
Exodus 28:21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
5. These stones also found in the book of Revelation
a. Make up the foundation of New Jerusalem
b. Different color stones make up a flashing display of beauty
6. This high priest in God’s presence pictures Christ in intercession for us today
a. He not only carries us on His shoulders
b. We are engraved on His heart
F. The Urim And Thummim
Exodus 28:30 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 LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
1. It is not clear what this was
2. It had something to do with ascertaining the will of God
3. Undoubtedly, this item being vague, protects us
4. If it were described
a. It would be reproduced by someone in this day
b. They would claim to have all the answers from them
G. The Robe Of The Ephod
Exodus 28:31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
Exodus 28:32 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.
Exodus 28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
Exodus 28:34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Exodus 28:35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.
1. The robe was blue – This would make the breastplate “stand out”
2. The hem on the bottom would contain
a. Golden Bells
1. People would hear when priest in God’s presence
2. The Word assures us of Our Great High Priest’s Ministry
b. Pomegranates – Symbolize fruitfulness
H. The Mitre
Exodus 28:36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Exodus 28:37 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.
Exodus 28:38 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 LORD.
Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
Exodus 28:40 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.
Exodus 28:41 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.
Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exodus 28:43 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 place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
1. The breeches were to cover the priest’s nakedness
a. Symbolizes eliminating the flesh in service
b. Likewise we should eliminate fleshly desires in God’s service
2. The Purpose of the Gold plate was
a. Not to condemn
b. But to instill in the people to be set aside “separated unto God
3. As the high priest was before the mercy seat making intercession for the people
a. So we can picture our High Priest with the rent vail
b. So we can picture our High Priest’s beauty as He maketh intercession on our behalf forever
4. This picture of our High Priest should instill in us the desire to be separated unto God’s service