Exodus 28:25
And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it. And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it.
The instruction concerns how the breastpiece was to be attached to the ephod, with the other two ends of the two woven chains fastened in the two settings and placed on the front shoulderpieces of the ephod. It belongs to detailed, special directions specifying the style and arrangement of clothing for Aaron and the priests and high priest to wear when ministering in the holy place and in the tabernacle and temple before the veil separating the holy from the most holy place. Those directions were part of special instruction about everything connected with divine service, specifying the dress of those who minister and requiring order in everything.
The breastplate so fastened was set with precious stones and served as a means of receiving messages from Jehovah in the sanctuary. The presence of God overshadowed the earthly mercy-seat, and the light of His glory would flash upon the stones in the breastplate while the cloud of His disapproval would shadow them. When Christ died the veil was rent in two from top to bottom, and the most holy place entered only once a year was opened to common gaze. From that time the presence of God no longer overshadowed the mercy-seat, and His light and cloud no longer shone upon or shadowed the breastplate stones.
In its heavenly counterpart, Jesus enters the second apartment of the sanctuary at the close of the prophetic periods in 1844 in priestly garments with a breastpiece suspended from His shoulders and glittering with names. The garments were sacred because God directed their use in solemn service of the tabernacle, not because they had sacred power in themselves, and they were not for anyone else to wear. Aaron's robes were symbolic.
The instruction shows that God cares about the clothing of those who serve Him and may be honored or dishonored by the apparel of those who officiate before Him. It requires order in everything and especially cleanliness, with reverence and a style suited to the work and in accordance with the priest's office of service in the holy place. The priests' appearance was to help the people recognize God's holiness and the sacredness of His work. The dress of Christ's followers should likewise represent Him.