Putting on Christ

After finishing the description of the construction of the tabernacle furnishings, the tabernacle structure and coverings, the courtyard furnishings and outer curtains, our text moves to the construction of the priestly garments, primarily focusing on the coverings for the High Priest. This week's text reviews the main outer garments of the high priest, chiefly the multi-colored ephod and breastplate and the engraved stones. As we study this passage we should begin with the premise that everything pertaining to the high priest is a shadow of the real, heavenly High Priest who was to come afterward. The details of how the garments are made and what they are made of is just as important for these clothes as the details for the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. When we are studying the high priest's clothes, God is giving us a picture of what Jesus would be like (and even the church!).