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Exodus 28:39, 29:4.
Aaron and his sons ware to have coats, girdles, and bonnets made-of fine linen. They were also to wear linen breeches to cover their nakedness when they came into the tabernacle of the congregation. The fine linen speaks of practical righteousness, and so we can see that, typically, everything they wore was to be suited to the moral character of God. This moral glory shone out in perfection in Christ, the One who wore the “coat... without seam, woven from the top throughout.” John 19:2323Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. (John 19:23).
Needless to say the Lord Jesus, the blessed Antitype, never needed anything to cover. His nakedness, for He was ever and always perfect. Even His “inwards” were “washed with water” (Ex. 29:1717And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head. (Exodus 29:17)), for His every motive, word, and deed were always pleasing to God His Father. Nevertheless His outward life which the eye of man could see was surely spotless “fine linen.” This would remind us also that we, like Aaron’s sons, being priests, should seek to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,” for holiness always becomes God’s house. If we fail, we should judge it at once, and particularly before we come into His presence as worshipers. (1 Cor. 11:2828But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (1 Corinthians 11:28).)
We now come to the consecration of Aaron and his sons. They were to be brought to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and there they were washed all over with water. This was done only once when they were consecrated to be priests. It was never repeated. The Lord Jesus referred to the typical meaning of this when He said to Peter, “He that is washed... is clean every whit.” John 13:1010Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. (John 13:10). It is a moral cleansing founded upon the finished work of Christ. We read in John 19:3434But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:34) that both blood and water flowed from the pierced side of our Saviour at Calvary. The precious blood of Christ tells us that all God’s holy claims against sin have been fully met, and the sinner who believes is thereby cleansed from all sin. What a glorious truth to lay hold of! But “How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?” Romans 6:22God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:2). This is what is meant by the water. When one is born again by the Word and Spirit of God he receives a new nature which hates sin, and loves obedience and holiness. The Word of God is thus applied to all that he is and does. He is “washed all over” and the old habits soon fall off, for he is now “a new creature (in Christ Jesus): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God.” 2 Cor. 5:17, 1817Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Corinthians 5:17‑18).
One feels it necessary to mention these things because we are living in days of easy profession, and too often there is little evidence of this “washing all over.” People profess faith in Christ and then go on in very much the same way as they did before, so that we have reason to doubt if they are really saved at all. God Himself asks the question how they can continue to live habitually in their sins if they are really dead to them. Everyone who is truly saved has that new nature, and although the old one is still there, we are, nevertheless, sure to see some evidence of divine life if the work is real. Let us not forget that God’s Word says, “Faith without works is dead.” James 2:2626For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26).
If this little paper should fall into the hands of anyone who has only a lifeless profession, may the Lord use it to awaken you to your need, and may you come to Christ NOW. He is able and willing to save you and to give you the strength to live for His glory.
ML 02/26/1950