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The Beginning of the End
Over the ephod was the square-shaped breastplate, suspended
from the shoulders by a cord of blue. The border was formed from
a variety of precious stones, the same that form the twelve founda-
tions of the City of God. The Lord directed, “Aaron shall bear the
names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his
heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the
Lord continually” (
Exodus 28:29
). So Christ, the great High Priest,
pleading His blood in the sinner’s behalf, bears on His heart the
name of every repentant, believing person.
Two large stones known as the Urim and Thummim were at
the right and left of the breastplate. When questions were brought
before the Lord, a halo of light encircling the stone at the right was
a sign of God’s approval, while a cloud shadowing the stone at the
left was evidence of denial.
Everything connected with the clothing and actions of the priests
was to impress the people with the holiness of God and the purity
required of those who come into His presence.
The Sanctuary Ministry Foreshadowed
Heavenly Things
Not only the sanctuary but the ministry of the priests was to
serve as a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things” (
Hebrews 8:5
).
The work of ministry consisted of two divisions—daily and yearly
services. The daily service took place at the altar of burnt offering
in the court of the tabernacle and in the holy place, while the yearly
service was in the most holy.
No human eye except that of the high priest was to see the inner
apartment of the sanctuary, and he could enter there only once a
year. In reverent silence the people awaited his return, their hearts
uplifted in prayer for the divine blessing. The high priest made the
atonement for Israel at the mercy seat, and God, in the cloud of glory,
met with him. If the high priest stayed longer than the accustomed
time, the people were filled with fear that because of their sins or his
own he had been killed by the glory of the Lord.