THE COMMISSIONING OF THE PRIESTOOD According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments [furnishings]thereof, even so shall ye make it. Exo. 25:9 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount. Heb. 8:5 Burmah Gospel Hall 18, 25 Aug. 2013 THE COMMISSIONING OF THE PRIESTOOD

The Commissioning of the Priesthood Exo. Chs. 28, 29 cf. Lev. Ch. 8 18 AUG. 2013 PART I. THE CLOTHINGS OF THE PRIESTS. - A Topical Study – Exo. 28 25 AUG. 2013 PART I. CONTINUED… 27 OCT. 2013 PART II. THE CLEANSING OF THE PRIESTS - A Textual Study – Exo. 29

Recapitulation Part 1 – The Clothings of the Priests (28:3-5, 39, 40) 1. The Clothes of the High Priest. The Coat. (28:39) The Robe of the Ephod (28:31-35) Ephod (28:6-14) THE BREASTPLATE (28:15-30)

d. The Breastplate Exo. 28:15-30 The 5 Colours (15) Called Breastplate of Judgment (29, 30) 12 Precious stones (17-21) Its Shape (16a) Its Size (16b) The Six rings (22-28) The Chains & Lace (22-28) The 12 precious Stones with 12 names (17-21, 29) The Urim and Thummin (30)

viii. The precious Stones (28:17-21) On the breastplate, each stone was engraved the name of a tribe of Israel - according to the twelve tribes (28:21 cp. Num.1:18, 21-50) viz. Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher and Naphatali Cp. according to birth 28:10

viii. The precious Stones. God’s People in totality in diversity and harmony. Note: Levi missing - Levi was set apart for a special Role of ministry in holy things; God was their inheritance. Joseph had a portion (or Role) above his brethren (Gen. 48:22); he Received a double inheritance, thus, Ephraim and Manasseh. GEMATRIA

Gematria - Values table 1 Aleph א 2 Bet ב 3 Gimel ג 4 Daled ד 5 He ה 6 Vav ו 7 Zayin ז 8 Heth ח 9 Teth ט 10 Yud י 20 Kaph כ 30 Lamed ל 40 Mem מ 50 Nun נ 60 Samech ס 70 Ayin ע 80 Pe פ 90 Tsade צ 100 Qoph ק 200 Reish ר 300 Shin ש 400 Taw ת 500 Kaph(final) ך 600 Mem(final) ם 700 Nun(final) ן 800 Pe(final) ף 900 Tsade(final) ץ

Gematria of the 12 Tribes of Israel

JESUS JESUS is the foundation stone. 888 = 331 + 395 + 162 The Gematria in the Breastplate: The 3 stones at the bottom layer form the FOUNDATION STONE. JESUS is the foundation stone. 888 = 331 + 395 + 162 888 = Greek gematria for JESUS 888 = Iota (10) Eta (8) Sigma (200) Omicron (70) Upsilon (400) Sigma (200) JESUS

The Middle 4 stones (The Corner Stone): 1480 = Greek gematria for CHRIST 1480 = Chi (600) Rho (100) Iota (10) Sigma (200) Tau (300) Omicron (70) Sigma (200) CHRIST

Jesus Christ, the Capstone, Cornerstone and Foundation Stone. 30   466   259 = 755 <JESUS CHRIST (Hebrew)  7    570    54 95   830    501 = 1480    <- CHRIST (Greek) 331 395   162  = 888    <- JESUS (Greek) The bottom 7 stones cry out JESUS CHRIST in Greek (Luke 19:40), The top 3 stones proclaim JESUS CHRIST in Hebrew! the middle wall of partition remember, that ye being …Gentiles…are …aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, …without God in the world. Eph. 2:11, 12

THE REPAIRER OF THE BREACH Isa. 58:12 -- The Enigmatic Gap And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. The two remaining stones form a breach as below: 30 466 259 (755) <----- JESUS CHRIST 7 570 <====== 54 (577) 95 830 501 (1480) <----- CHRIST 331 395 162 (888) <----- JESUS the middle wall of partition

For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. Eph. 2:14 The combined gematria of the two stones is the same as that of the title "the repairer of the breach" found in Isa. 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. The Hebrew gematria for “The repairer of the breach” is 577. The gematria of the two remaining stones that form a breach in the breastplate is 7 + 570 = 577 Gematria resources sourced from: http://www.fivedoves.com/tng/gospelinstone.htmFor

Summary There is neither Jew nor Greek… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, Gal. 3:28; I Cor. 12:13

d. The Breastplate The Colours Called Breastplate of Judgment. Twelve Precious stones Its Shape. Its Size. The Six rings. The Chains & the Lace. The 12 precious Stones with names engraved. The Urim and Thummin

x. The Mitre and Bonnet (Exo. 28:39, 40) Difference between the Headdress of the high priest and that of the priests. For the High Priest, it was a mitre; for his sons, bonnets. The bonnet was in the form of a cap (hemispherical, as hillock, Strong) (29:9) Both were made of linen => symbol of righteousness and holiness. We are an holy priesthood (I Pet. 2:5) and as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.” (I Pet. 1:16, NIV)

x. The Mitre and Bonnet (Exo. 28:39, 40; 29:28) Note: It is the Jewish man’s Custom to cover his head when entering the synagogue, or when praying, or reading the law or the prophet, in recognition of the majesty of God, His greatness and his unworthiness – the willing subjection of reverence and holy love. In the N.T., the method is changed. The man uncovers his head while the woman covers hers in recognition of the Headship of Christ. (I Cor. 11:3-5)

xi. The Holy Crown (Exo. 28:36-38; 29:6) The Hebrew word translated “plate” is “tsits”, elsewhere translated “flower” and “blossoms”. (Psa. 103:15; Isa. 28:1; 40:6-8) You shall make a rosette of pure gold. (NRSV) => On the Great High Priest we see the unfading flower of pure gold.

The crown shall be upon Aaron’s forehead. 29:38 => The forehead is the seat of the will and the intellect. Cf. Ezek. 3:7-9 - the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. See, I have made your face hard against their faces, and your forehead hard against their foreheads. Like the hardest stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not fear them or be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. (NRSV) The high Priest bore the inscription HOLINESS TO THE LORD. (28:36-38) . This is the crowning fact, the culmination of everything. (I Pet. 1:15, 16) If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God. Rev. 14:9, 10 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev. 17:5

e. Linen breeches (Exo. 28:42-43; Lev e. Linen breeches (Exo. 28:42-43; Lev. 6:8-10), from the loins even unto the thighs (28:42). Who to wear: *The coat and breeches were made for the priests also and were the ordinary garments of high priest and priests as distinguished from other garments, which were for glory and beauty.

i. Who to Wear: This is the last garment common to all and essential to all. What to Wear: They were to wear breeches or drawers made of linen to cover their nakedness (Much of idol worship was sensual, sexual, obscene and nakedness was often part of their conduct.) For the worshipper of God there must be modesty and decency, for we must worship God in the beauty of holiness. When to Wear: 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 forever… (Exo. 28:43). (ct. Gen. 3:8 cp. 21)

e. Linen breeches (Exo. 28:42-43; Lev. 6:8-10), i. Who to Wear. ii e. Linen breeches (Exo. 28:42-43; Lev. 6:8-10), i. Who to Wear. ii. What to Wear. iii. When to Wear. Conclusion: iv. Why to Wear: => He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. I Pet. 1:15, 16

These Garments are “Holy Garments” for glory and beauty. The Coat => Holiness of the heart that beat beneath it. The Girdle => Holiness of the service rendered to God. The Mitre => Holiness of thought and control. The Breeches => thy nakedness be not discovered. Exo. 20:26 Therefore: Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Exo. 3:5

1. The Clothes of the High Priest. Summary

1. The Clothes of the High Priest. 2. The Clothes and Clothing of the other Priests. Exo. 28:40-43 a. Their Clothes – the coat, the girdle, the bonnet, the breeches. When going into the Sanctuary or Serving at the Altar (28:43 cf. Lev. 6:10; 16:4) to put on... i. The coat => no low neckline. ii. The breeches => no high hemline. iii. The girdle => no fleshly mid-line iv. The bonnet => no fleshly thoughts These are holy garments! (Lev. 16:4b) Lev. 6:10

a. Their Clothes b. Their Clothing by Moses as the Lord Commanded –Exo a. Their Clothes b. Their Clothing by Moses as the Lord Commanded –Exo. 29:9a cf. Lev. 8:13 thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them. And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: 4. The Confirmation of the Priesthood to Aaron and his sons perpetually. Exo. 29:9b a. The Confirmation: the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: b. The Consecration Ceremony: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Part II – The Cleansing and Consecration of the Priests. Exo. 29:1-9, 10-25 To Be Continued on October 27 (DV)