The Old Testament priests were types of Christ. Jesus is our Great High Priest (Heb 4:14). He has completed the work of atonement once and for all. Now, in heaven, He intercedes for us (Rom 8:34).

(1) Ownership by God: God’s people are precious to Him (Exod 28:15-21): An elaboration of the beautiful and precious stones on the breastplate is given here. They have the names of the twelve tribes engraved on them. This signifies God’s ownership of His children and their preciousness to Him. The breastplate is worn near the heart, signifying the love our Great High Priest has for us. 1 Peter 2:9 says we are “a chosen generation…a peculiar people…,” i.e. we are His loved and protected possession. It is out of God’s love that we are chosen to be His.

(2) Peculiar people: God remembers us (Exod 28:22-28): An elaborate description of the “chains” (Exod 28:22) is given here. The function of chains is to fasten, to bind. Thus, those who are truly Jesus’ can never be separated from Him. He binds us to Him, and will always pull us back to Himself when we stray.

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus is “not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” i.e. Jesus can feel together with us. And Hebrews 4:16 exhorts us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace…and find grace to help in time of need.” The Greek word “help” refers to aid that is like a sailor’s rope used for tying or securing an anchor. We are to go to Jesus who holds us fast. Let not prayer be our last resort. Our communion with God is important.

This also means that God remembers (“memorial”, Exod 28:29) His children, His peculiar people, even as the names of the twelve tribes were engraved on the precious stones on the breastplate. Thus, we must remember that God remembers.

(3) Significance of the breastplate: God directs, leads and guides (Exod 28:29-30): The breastplate is described as “the breastplate of judgment” (Exod 28:15, 29, 30) where “the Urim (light) and the Thummim (perfection)” (Exod 28:30) are kept. These were used to discern God’s will, and to help make decisions. The breastplate emphasises the preceptive will of God. Knowing God’s will comes from knowing God’s Word, and we must obey Him. Very often, our problem is not one of not knowing God’s will, but our refusal to obey God’s will.

The priestly garments are of beauty and glory. Our lives thus must glorify God, showing forth the excellency of our God.