It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. Aaron will always wear it on his forehead so that the gifts may be acceptable to the Lord. The high priest's gold plate is not only a declaration of consecration but a mechanism of atonement: Aaron bears the guilt involved in the sacred gifts. The offerings Israel brings are imperfect — the worshippers are imperfect — and the plate on the high priest's forehead is the provision that makes imperfect gifts acceptable. The inscription holy to the Lord does not describe the priest's personal holiness but the holiness that his office provides for Israel's service. Romans 3:25 says God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood — the plate that makes Israel's gifts acceptable is the type of the one whose sacrifice makes the church's worship acceptable.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse