The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 267

h_igh priest shows "'.hat t~e m~n must be li~o who would aUcrnpt ~. 1.,1ke thosn stPps. 'l ho dress of tho l11gh priest 1s usually ea1d to havo cnns1ste,l ol e1~ht, pictea, viz.: hrcast-plnto, epbod with its girdle, robe of the ephod, mitre, gol,l plate or holy crown, hroidered robe, drnwers, girdle. Such a dress is meant to be chnrncleristic, to shadow forth what ought to be the character of tho man who wears it. AH the high priest represents the people in their relation to God, the character required in him m11st be tho chnmcter required in nil weuld-be worshippers. Take a few points:- 1. 'l'IIE wonsmrri>:R MUB'l' DE IN HARMONY WITH 1118 8UltROUNDIN<l8. 'l'he colo11rs an,\ materials of the garments nro the same as those of the tabernacle with its veil aurl entrance curtain_:gold, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen. So, too, the character of the worshipper must match with the character of the sanctuary. What can a man do in heaven if ho be not heavenly-minded? Every one, in the end, like Judas, must go to his own place; the character of the individual mllllt decide the character of his surrouml- ings (cf. Matt. xxii. 11-13). II, HE MUST BE UAPABLE OF REFLECTING THE LIGHT AMID WHICH HE WALK8 A:SD THE GLORY WHICH HE IS APPROACHING. The breast-plate is, amongst the garments of the high priest, what the mercy seat is amongst the furniture of the sanctuary. In some sort, also, the two are related; the mercy seat is the throne of glory, the restinc;- place of the 11hechinah, whilst the breast-plate reflects the same glory, and glorifies the wearer by reflecting it. 1. Man is glorified by reflecting the glury of God. The more he can reflect, the more manifold the ways in which he can reflect it, the more perfect is the glory which is revealed on him. We may note, however, that the high priest repre- senting the nation, the breast-plate which he wears suggests rather the nati1,nal than the individual reflecting power. 'l'he one grows out of the other, but amongst indivi<luals some may reflect as the sardius, some as the topaz, etc. The great thing is that they do reflect, though each may reflect differently to others. Remember, too, that the glory of each helps to make and to intensify the glory of the whole. 2. The reflector is the breast- plate. The breast-plate covers and symbolises the heart or the affections. "God is love," and the glory of God is the glory of love made manifest. Only love can reflect love ; the loving heart is the enlightened and the enlightening heart. III. PROGRESS MUST NOT BE SILENT BUT MUSICAL. The robe of the ephod with its border of embroidered pomegranates, blue, red, and crimson; bells of gold alternating with the pomegranates. The music of the priest's movement is associated with fruit- fulness; look whence the sound comes and you see the varicoloured pomegranates. So, too, the melody of a holy life rings out from amongst good deeds; deeds which like the varicoloured pomegranates are all one fruit, "the fruit of the Spirit" ( cf. Gal. v. 22). ~uch fruit advertifes to his fellows a man's progress along the way of holiness ( cf. Eccle- siasticus xiv. 9, "a memorial to the children of his people"); yet specially is it required by God for his own pleasure and satisfaction ( cf. xxviii 35): whether men hear or no, the golden bells must not be silent. JV. THE WORSfilPPER MUST BE HELMETED AND CROWNED WITH HOLINESS. (Cf. xxviii. 36.) The golden plate with its inscription. 1. Generally, it may be said, that they who approach a holy place must approach it as a holy people. We have safe- guards against unseemliness and impurity (xxviii. 42). 2. Specially does the head, asso- ciated with the intellect, need consecration. Unless the head be protected the heart must soon cease to reflect. He who lays aside the helmet of holiness cannot retain the breast-pla:te of glory. Conclusion.-We want to draw nigh to God. The tabernacle shows us by what successive stages we must approach him ; the high priest shows us how in character and conduct we must be prepared for those successive stages. As we should put it now- a-days,-to get to heaven a man must be like Christ; the journey thither can only be achieved by those who are in co=union with the great High Priest. In and throug,h him we may draw nigh; growing daily more heavenly-minded, and therefore more lit for heaven; reflecting more and more of the light and glory which shines out upon us; making life musical with the melody of good works, a sweet sound in God's ears and a sign to direct men's attention God-wards; consecrated wholly to God's service, hallowed now by outward dedication ; at length like the great High Priest himself, to be not merely hallowed but altogether holy .-G. 2R4 'l'Irn VOOK OF EXODUS. [en. nvrn. 1-ta.