God Selects His First Mediator Among Men Series

God selects HIS first mediators among Man

Aaron and sons set apart

Ephod representing 12 Tribes

The breastplate, The Urim and Thummim

The robe of the ephod, The plate of the mitre

The garments for Aaron’s sons

DBF Sunday Sermon notes, Exodus 28, 3/2/03

Most people in Bristol Bay know a little bit about mediators. A mediator is one who argues on your behalf.

In Bristol Bay the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation mediates or argues on behalf of the 38 Bristol Bay Native Villages health care through the Indian Health Service of the United States Government. Members receive medical, dental, substance and mental health services through this mediated service agency.

The Bristol Bay Native Association mediates or argues on behalf of a selected number of member villages on behalf of social services to those member communities. Members received social services from various mediated entities such as Head Start, Family Services Workers, Village Public Safety, and Healthy Families.

So the people in Bristol Bay should understand that they have many mediation agencies that strive to bring them services on behalf of several different agencies.

In our study today we will see how God chose a family to lead as mediators of the Old Testament Covenant between God and man. This was the imperfect covenant that that pointed to the time to come of the perfect covenant under “Jesus Christ” our Lord.

Let us walk with Moses as he receives the instruction for the High Priest’s Office, outfits of office, and daily and annual ministries.

Aaron and sons set apart

Exodus 28:1-5 (KJV)

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.

We see God here commands Moses to choose Aaron and his sons, from among the many possible children of Israel.

Does God choose them because they are perfect?

No because we will see shortly that Nadab and Abihu died under God’s judgment (Lev. 10:1-2) so that the Aaronic priesthood continued through his two younger sons Eleazar who succeeded his father as high priest (Num. 3:4) and Ithamar.

Prior to this time the heads of families, the eldest sons were the priests, and offered sacrifices on behalf of the family. Now this office was given to Aaron’s family alone; and it continued there until the age of grace ushered in by Jesus Christ.

We know Jesus as our priest eternal in the order of Melchizedek instead of an earthly priest as that of Aaron and his descendents.

Why? Hebrews 5:10 (KJV)

Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Isaiah 59:17 (KJV)

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

Heb 10:9-12; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man (Jesus Christ), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

This is where we receive our call to our order, a priesthood of believers…

1 Thes. 5:8 (KJV)

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Ephes. 6:14 (KJV)

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

In this day when fallen man offered the only acceptable sacrifice, the holy garments not only distinguished the priests from the people, but were emblems of that holy conduct which should show the glory and beauty God deserved. This marked the ministers of this covenant, and without the proper adornments their persons and ministrations would be had in contempt.