Your circumstances are more than what you experience in the natural. There’s a supernatural dimension with an enemy, Satan, who hates you. He kills, steals and destroys. Everyday you face a spiritual battle. Like any war, soldiers must wear protective armor to stay alive and prosper. The clothing of the priests in Ex. 28 alludes to the armor of God described in Eph. 6:10-18.
“Bring Aaron and his sons to minister as priest to God. Have skillful persons endowed with the spirit of wisdom to make holy garments for glory and for beauty. Breastpiece, ephod, robe, tunic of checkered work, turban and sash would be holy garments to consecrate Aaron and his sons” (Ex. 28:1-5). Put on the armor of God to be glorified with the beauty of holiness.
The ephod would be made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine linen with two shoulder pieces joined to its two ends. Two onyx stones would be engraved with the names of the sons of Israel. They would be set in filigree settings of gold on the ephod’s two shoulder pieces joined by its two ends. Aaron would bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for a memorial (Ex. 28:6-14). Clothe yourself with Christ with the names of people on your heart.
The breastplate of judgment would be the work of skillful workman using similar types of material as the ephod’s, folded double with four rows of valuable stones mounted and set in gold filigree. The stones would be according to the 12 tribes of Israel like the engravings of a seal. Bind the breastplate by its gold rings to the ephod’s rings with a blue cord as a skillfully woven band of the ephod so they won’t come loose. Aaron would carry Israel’s names in the breastplate of judgment over his heart along with the Urim and Thummim when he enters the holy place for a memorial before the Lord continually (Ex. 28:15-30). Put on the breastplate of righteousness and belt of truth so you can maintain a pure heart and hear God’s word to minister to the church.
The robe of the blue ephod would be made of pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet material and bells of gold all around its hem. Its tinkling would be heard when Aaron entered and left the holy place before the Lord so he wouldn’t die (Ex. 28:31-35). Draw near to God to receive grace and mercy.
A plate of pure gold would have, ‘Holy to the Lord,’ engraved and fastened on the front of the turban with a blue cord. It would be on Aaron’s forehead to take away the iniquity of the holy things that the sons of Israel consecrated to be acceptable before the Lord (Ex. 28:36-39). Put on helmet of salvation to guard your mind.
Aaron’s sons would have tunics and sashes with caps for glory and for beauty. They would be anointed, ordained and consecrated to serve God as priests. Linen breeches would cover their bare flesh that reached from the loins to the thighs when they entered the tent of meeting or when they approached the altar to minister in the holy place so they don’t incur guilt and die (Ex. 28:40-43). Put on the shoes of the gospel, shield of faith and sword of the Spirit so peace, faith and God’s word can defeat the works of the evil one.
The following scriptures can be used as examples of how to “pray on” the Armor Of God (Jim & Linda Warren, Work of His Hand):
The Belt Of Truth
- Around my waist I put the belt of truth. Father, I commit myself to Jesus as the foundation of my life today. With your strength Lord, I will resist the temptation to stand on any worldly foundation. Jesus, you alone are my foundation for any situation that will arise today. (John 14:6)
- The Breastplate Of Righteousness
On my heart I put the breastplate of righteousness. I can fight any battle today because of the righteousness of Jesus, not my own! Jesus I declare that you are my righteousness and that though the victory of the cross I can stand victorious against temptation, sin and the attacks of our enemy. (2 Corinthians 5:12) - The Shoes Of Readiness and Peace
On my feet, I put the shoes of the gospel. Father, prepare me by helping me know Jesus in a deeper way. Let your word become the guiding light for every step I take today and let the knowledge of the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection be my source of peace. (Romans 5:1) - The Shield Of Faith
In my hand I take up the shield of faith. Father, by faith, connect me to the power of Jesus. My desire is to trust in you and your strength alone. Protect me from the arrows of the enemy today as I rely on your power. Give me faith so I may go forward doing your will. (Hebrews 11:33–34) - The Helmet Of Salvation
On my head, I receive the helmet of salvation. Jesus, you are my salvation. You are my deliverance. Deliver me from all sins and weaknesses – spiritual, physical, and emotional. Cover me with strength, peace and anointing and bring me to complete wholeness in you. (1 Thessalonians 5:8–9) - The Sword Of The Spirit
In my hand I take up the sword of the Spirit, the powerful word of God. Jesus, you are the living version of God’s Word. May God’s Word give me wisdom to apply the Word to life’s situations and today’s troubles. (Hebrews 4:12)
