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. And the second row shall be an
emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and
an amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall
be set in gold in their inclosings. 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. (Ex
28:17-21)
These few mid-chapters of Exodus are, I admit, the most difficult to write for
the research and deep thought required in writing them. When we observe the
elaborate detail of construction and the ornate dress required of priests, we
may be inclined to believe that the Romans got it right after all with their
miters and gold embroidered vestments - but we would be mistaken. The
Tabernacle was built during a day when men knew very little of the Person of
God, the reverence due Him, and the strict obedience necessary to please Him.
God found it necessary to stress dress, formality, and solemnity in order to
introduce His covenant to the people, else they would not have paid attention.
Though solemnity, reverence, and formality are still an important component of
worship, the symbols and figures God required in the Tabernacle (and the
Temple) are somewhat relaxed for the New Testament Church. The Romanizers who
draw their justification for miters and gold embroidered vestments should, for
consistency’s sake, cover the outer walls of their fancy churches with goat’s
hair to make it less appealing to the world.
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. 2 And thou shalt make holy
garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. 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 him, that he may minister unto me in
the priest's office. 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. 5 And they shall take gold, and
blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. (Ex 28:1-5)
Pursuant to the above comment, I have sometimes been asked by those not
familiar with reformed worship, why I wear a clerical collar when not attending
formal activities of the church. Truly, it is not required; however, a soldier
always wears his uniform for identification. When seen away from the military
cantonment area, he is still recognized as a soldier. The same applies to
police and medical personnel. Why is this the case? Because it is important,
due to their professions, that such officials be recognized by the man on the
street. Why should this be different for a clergyman, and perhaps more so? I
have had numerous hurting people come to me and spill their hearts out over
‘insurmountable’ problems from caretakers, waiters, watchmen, and those
traveling dark streets of the night. They are searching for an answer from a
higher quarter than the world can provide. This presents an excellent
opportunity for me to share the Gospel of Christ and what it has done to amend
and bring light to my oft own broken heart.
Simple and dignified vestments are adopted by the Church in order to evoke a
reverence and respect that would not otherwise be attributed to men who speak
the very Words of God. We are held to a higher standard when we claim to be
imparting the very Words of God. We should not only act with a deep reverence
in reading the Word, but also appear in attire that set us apart from our daily
routines. I am a firm believer in a soldier dressing like a soldier in hopes
that his actions will follow his appearance; and the same holds true for those
who would serve the Lord in His Holy Place. The pulpit is Holy, and it should
not be ascended with unholy hands or common street attire. In fact, the attire
of all worshippers should be their Sunday best since they have come to meet
with the King of Kings. The garments were called HOLY, not because of the men
who wore them, but because of the function they served for worship only. The
primitive minds of the hosts were such that royalty should be reflected in
finery, and so it was!
There were twelve different precious stones (see opening verses to this
devotion) for each of the separated tribes of Israel. The stones were each of
different quality and hue, but all beautiful and precious. I have made a
summary study of the nature of the stones and can find no scripturally proven
qualities of these individual stones that would commend our comment and study
of them more than that which is given in the plain text.
6 And they shall make the
ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with
cunning work. 7 It shall have the two
shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be
joined together. 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. 9 And thou shalt take two onyx
stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: 10 Six of their names on one stone,
and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their
birth. 11 With the work of an engraver in
stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with
the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches
of gold. 12 And thou shalt put the two
stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children
of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two
shoulders for a memorial. 13 And thou shalt make ouches of
gold; 14 And two chains of pure gold at
the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains
to the ouches. (Ex
28:6-14)
The ephod was a strikingly impressive garment. There were two onyx stones
affixed with the six names of the tribes of Israel on one, and the six names of
the other tribes on the next. This was to remind the High Priest, in his
ministrations before the Lord, to remember to plead the cause of each. The
ephod was fastened by a girdle of the same costly materials, that is, dyed,
embroidered, and wrought with threads of gold. It was about a handbreadth wide
and wound twice round the upper part of the waist; it fastened in front, the
ends hanging down at great length. This girdle followed after the heavenly
example reflected in Rev. 1:13 in its reference to the appearance of Christ: And
in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed
with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
(Rev 1:13)
We have a lengthy passage of the breastplate of judgment on which, too, were
set the twelve stones – in order of birth – of the patriarchs of the twelve
tribes. It was worn over the heart of the High Priest (Aaron) to keep him in
constant mind of his people whom he represented before God. It would be
praiseworthy as ministers today wore the names of their flocks over their
hearts when serving the Lord and counseling His people. The device was called
the Breastplate of Judgment since the High Priest always wore this breastplate
when going before the Lord seeking judgment of a particular matter, or when he
sat as judge to teach the law – or to hear cases. The Breastplate was
four-square to symbolize the righteousness of just law. Today, we may refer to
a gentleman or lady as being four-square (or simply square) if they are
meticulously correct and fair in their dealings with others.
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.
(Ex 28:30)
I must frankly admit that I have no clue what the design of these stones was.
Scripture nowhere tells us, and speculation in such case would not only be
futile, but unholy. The meaning is clear: Urim means LIGHT; Thummim means
perfection. Aaron, and the High Priests to follow, wore these on the
Breastplate when conferring with the Lord on matters of national importance.
They were conceived to give revealing light and justice in cases of such occasion
as was asked. We have the very best Urim (the Light of God’s Word) and Thummim
(that perfect law of Liberty enjoyed in Christ) today in the Gospel.
31 And
thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. (Ex
28:31) This robe
resembles a cassock in design. One leading purpose of the robe was to make the
wearer presentable before God. God cannot look upon sin, and the robe
symbolically covers the sin of the wearer of the robe (and, today, cassock).
There was a hole at the top to allow the garment to be placed over the head of
the minister, and the neck opening was woven around with a stronger material to
prevent rips. This may have made the neck opening appear similar to the clergy
collar of today. 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. (Ex 28:32) You will remember the best robe
the father placed over the shoulders of his prodigal son, when he returned.
That beautiful robe covered the boy’s filth from working in a pigsty.
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. 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.
42 And thou shalt make them linen
breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they
shall reach: 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.
(Ex
28:40-43)
Its seems proper for me to make some comment regarding vestments in the modern
church. The vestments of the traditional Anglican church, from the days of the
Reformers, has been of the most simple and plain design – primarily black and
white with a scarf or stole to indicate seasons of the Church. Ornate and
costly embroidery and ornaments of gold would no longer be pleasing to God
since Christ came, as High Priest, to intercede on our behalf. Opulent and
expenses dress is not useful to the service of God for it detracts from the
very Word that we preach. Moreover, it is pretentious since we no longer serve
in the role of High Priest or absolve men and women of sin – that is the
prerogative of God alone! But the wearing of vestments to set us apart from
those we serve is a thing, I believe, to be pleasing to God. Formality in
worship denotes respect and reverence for God. Today, many mainline churches
advertise their services to be “come as you are.” WE DO NOT IN THE AOC. We
believe that a person should be as presentable as possible when coming before
the Lord. Decent dress reflects respect. Slovenly dress reflects disrespect for
God and all around.
The vestments of surplice and cassock serve to give a modest appearance to the
ministers of our church. If no such vestments were available (for example, in
times of great want or emergency) then God would understand if we dispensed
with such; but He has placed us in good pastures and given us the means to wear
apparel that is both reverent and respectful of His Majesty. These demonstrate
that the one adorned has been duly ordained and consecrated to the office, the
uniform of which he wears. 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. I have had occasion to witness to many
hurting hearts as a result of simply wearing my clergy shirt and collar on
flights, to restaurants, and in other public venues. In Serbia, I was asked by
many strangers on the streets to pray with them. Had I not be recognizable as a
minister of God, I doubt such opportunities would have arisen.
I will quote an unlikely source for the necessity of vestments – General George
S. Patton. He said: “We catch a lot of rift over requiring soldiers to dress
like soldiers – to be in proper uniform at all times. But I believe that a man
who dresses like a soldier will tend to ACT like one. If he doesn’t LOOK like a
soldier, he probably isn’t.” He also wisely observed, “The longer I
live, the more convinced I am of the need for formality in worship.” I
agree. How about you?
