Have you ever wondered how ancient cultures created works of art? Look no further, the ancient Israelites left behind their design for the one most distinguished persons in all of Israel… The High Priests Garments! The High Priests garments were designed for “glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2) meaning God desired for his priests to be awe-inspiring. Not only was the outfit supposed to look physically beautiful but it was also to be made by the “skillful whom I have filled with the spirit of skill” (Exodus 28:3) . God’s intention was that this garment was to be expertly and carefully crafted by skilled hands for beauty and glory. My attempt to recreate the priestly garment was unfortunately not able to come to fruition. Due to poor planning and time management. I was only able to complete the fabric of the breast piece.
The garment is made of linen of four different colors: gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns. The only requirement for the garment is that it was supposed to be skillfully worked. With this we come to our first big problem, I am not a “Skilled Worker” not to say that I could not become one but at this time I have never woven/sewn/fabricated anything aside from once or twice in seventh grade. So with some help from Professor Weaver I got into contact with Professor Steven Frost – a very experienced weaver. Professor Frost got out the weaving device, a loom, and carefully instructed me on how to use the loom.
He taught me that in order to weave we need fixed linen strings placed vertically to weave around. The vertical strings on the loom are called the warp. After this comes strings weaved under and over the warp called the weft (see below). The weft was where all my colored strings would be. These were all weaved under and over a purple warp, which was selected because it signals royalty in the bible.
I as a Christian believe Jesus is our High Priest — a direct parallel to how the ancient Hebrew high Priest. The ancient Hebrew High Priest dressed like this to be consecrated before he performed his religious duties — an important one being a sacrifice for sin. This Jesus was himself the sacrifice for our sin which brings us life and his offer of forgiveness of sin and eternal life is ready and available for anyone who calls his name and repents from their sin.
