The Linen Breeches To Cover Their Nakedness (Exodus 28:42-43).
These are very pointedly not put on them by Moses. They are not a part of the official garb as such, although a requirement of the office. For these act to cover the private parts (like underpants). To ‘reveal a person's nakedness' was usually to expose their private parts in sexual relations (Leviticus 18:6-19; Leviticus 20:11-21).
“And you shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness. They shall reach from the loins even to the thighs. And they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the Tent of Meeting, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the Holy Place, that they bear not iniquity and die. It shall be a statute for ever to him and to his seed after him.”
Aaron and his sons must at all time within the Dwellingplace and while on duty in its courts wear linen breeches which covered from loins to thigh. Nothing of what they were must be exposed to God (compare Exodus 20:26). These private parts had once been man's glory. Then man was naked and was not ashamed (Genesis 2:25). Indeed his purpose was stated as, to ‘be fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 1:28). But now what he produced was sinful and needed to be redeemed. Thus the linen breeches emphasised the fallenness of man. They did not declare the priest's status, but rather were a reminder of his sinfulness, of the great lack that there was within him. Neither Temple of Meeting nor altar were to be approached unless they be worn. They may also have been intended to ensure that the holy garments were not soiled.
To fail to cover their nakedness on official duties before Yahweh was to be under sentence of death. And this was considered to be so important that it was declared to be a permanent statute while the priesthood continued (compare Exodus 27:21).
We must remember that sex played a major part in many religions, and especially among the Canaanites, something which would have been known from the regular practise of Canaanite religion in Egypt. The act of sex with sacred prostitutes and in wild orgies in the sacred groves and high places was seen as helping to persuade the gods to ensure the fertility of the land. Here it is made quite clear that Yahwism is the very opposite of that. Apart from between man and wife for the purpose of procreation and for making the man and woman one it was abhorred.
“ The Tent of Meeting.” In this case the Dwellingplace. The name was taken over from the old Tent of Meeting which will be described in Exodus 33:7-11. It referred to the place where God could be met with.
“ When they come near to the altar to minister in the Holy Place.” That is when they officially approach the altar preparatory to entering to minister in the Holy Place.
• Breeches were to be made for the priests reaching from the loins to the thighs to cover their ‘nakedness' (Exodus 28:42).
• They were to be worn when going into the Tent of Meeting (Exodus 28:43 a).
• They were to be worn when coming near the altar to minister in the Holy Place (Exodus 28:43 b).
• This was so that they do not bear iniquity and die. This was to be a statute for ever to Aaron and his seed after him (Exodus 28:43 c).
Linen breeches of a similar kind, from waist to above the knees, were certainly worn in Egypt later and were no doubt so worn at this time, but here they have been given special significance.
It will be noted that no prescription has been made for footwear. The priests were to walk barefoot (compare Exodus 3:5), and must wash their feet (in the laver) prior to entering the Holy Place or approaching the altar to officiate at it (Exodus 30:18-21). Like the wearing of breeches this was a permanent statute.
Notes for Christians.
In the priestly garments are symbols of God's provision for His people. The ephod symbolised God's people being brought by the High Priest into His presence constantly, for he wore their names on his shoulders. Thus does our great High Priest ever bear our names before Him. While the clothing of us by God in His heavenly nature (2 Peter 1:4), the appointing of us as His royal priests (1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9) and His provision for us of the blood of Christ which cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7) provides for all that we need in order to serve Him, and through this provision it is our responsibility to ‘wear the ephod' and bring to God His people in our prayers and worship. The breastpouch too is the symbol that our High Priest bears our names upon His heart, and that from it by His Spirit He guides His church and brings to us all truth (John 14:26; John 16:13), we must therefore be ready to bring God's guidance and truth to the world, by studying to show ourselves workmen approved to God, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The clothing stresses again that we must wear the righteousnesses of the saints, and be constantly heavenly, royal and cleansed. The breeches remind us that the people of God must not treat lightly the sacredness of sex properly utilised, but must beware of flaunting it before God who knows our hearts. The golden plate declaring ‘holiness to the Lord' must be worn by His people constantly that the world might know of what true holiness consists.
End of note.