We are told in Ephesians 6:10-18 that we should put on the whole armor of God so that we will withstand the wiles of the enemy.

The armor consists of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

When you are fully clothed with the armor of God you can stand in the authority while praying without ceasing knowing the battle is the Lord and you stand in victory.

Today, I want to encourage us not only to be clothed with the armor of God but also with the priestly garment.

“Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as a priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. (Exodus 28:1-2 NKJV)

The priestly garment consists of a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash.

Gifted Artisans filled with the spirit of wisdom were selected to make these special garments for Aaron and his sons.

The garments were considered holy to minister before the Lord as priests. The holy garments were made from gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen for glory and beauty.

The breastplate

The Breastplate of judgment was made with the same materials as the ephod but was embedded with precious stones.

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 enclosing.

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. (Exodus 28:17-21)

The Breastplate is a form of protection. Every time that Aaron goes before the Lord, he is seeking protection for the people.

In other words, Aaron bore the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart continually before the Lord. (Exodus 28:29-30)

This Breastplate represents righteousness and we need to always wear it wherever we go.

He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion. (Isaiah 59:17 NLT)

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)

The Ephod

The ephod was made of blue, purple, and scarlet thread and fine woven linen and it signifies intercession.

When Aaron wore the ephod, he bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel before the Lord in continual prayer.

When God appoints you as minister for His people, you will need to always intercede on behalf of the people in prayer and fasting to God. (Revelation 5:8)

And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial. You shall also make settings of gold, and you shall make two chains of pure gold like braided cords, and fasten the braided chains to the settings. (Exodus 28:12-14 NKJV)

Holiness to the Lord

The Lord told Moses that he should make a plate of pure gold and engraved on this plate the words: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. (Exodus 28:36-41)

The medallion was attached to Aaron’s turban with a blue cord.

Aaron wore the medallion on his forehead to take on the guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrated their sacred offerings. He was required to wear it on his forehead so the Lord will accept the people.

The medallion represents the helmet of salvation.

The blood of Jesus Christ saved and sanctified us from sins. Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ is our mediator and He represents holiness.

Aaron must wear it on his forehead so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel when they consecrate their sacred offerings. He must always wear it on his forehead so the Lord will accept the people. (Exodus 28:38 NLT)

The Lord Jesus Christ will clothe us with the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness so that he can raise us up to a higher level.

The linen trousers

The linen trousers were made for the priests to cover their nakedness.

The pants extend from the waist to the thighs, and the priests have to wear them every time they minister before the Lord in the holy place, or else they would die (Exodus 28:42-43)

And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness. They shall reach from the waist to the thighs. (Exodus 28:42 NKJV

Nakedness refers to sin. Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened to their nakedness when they disobeyed God’s command (Genesis 3).

The Levitical laws punished anyone who uncovered the nakedness of their father, mother, or brethren (Leviticus 18)

The belt of truth will secure our pants to our waist to cover our nakedness.

“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God. (Ezekiel 16:8 NKJV)

The priestly robe

The priest’s robe was made of blue material with the hem woven with blue, purple, and scarlet threads. The robe was also decorated with pomegranates and bells.

The pomegranate was one of the fruits of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:8).

Our robe should, therefore, be decorated with the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

Wherever we go the fruit of the Spirit must resonate in our lives like a bell to announce the presence of the Lord in our lives.

And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the Lord and when he comes out, that he may not die. (Exodus 28:35 NKJV)

When we are fully clothed in our priestly garment we can enter the holy presence of God with honor and respect.

If the priest was not properly clothed he could not enter the holiest place and stand before the Lord or else he would immediately die (Leviticus 16).

The Lord Jesus Christ is our fully clothed High Priest who represents us before God.

By accepting Him as your Saviour and High Priest you can be assured that your nakedness is fully covered and you can boldly enter the throne of grace in the holiest place of the tabernacle of God.

AMEN!

Thank you for reading!