Exodus 28:1-3 KJV And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. [2] And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. [3] And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Exodus 28:6-12 KJV And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. [7] It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. [8] And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. [9] And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: [10] Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. [11] With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold. [12] And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
I. INTRODUCTION
This is the last article of the priest’s garments that we will look at. Just as with the Tabernacle, there are many more aspects that could be explored with a greater focus. All of these garments brought a certain sense of dignity, honor, and reverence to the worship of Jehovah. Not only did it elevate the office of the priesthood, it also elevated the individual priest who was to go into a holy place to perform a holy function. Those who enter into the sanctuary of the Lord must have on the holy garments. Furthermore, there was a demand on these holy men who wore the priestly garments that they would be wise and precise.
• The attire is crucial because of the fact that we are ambassadors for God and stewards of the mysteries.
• The attire is crucial because it is associated with the great purpose of God’s redemption.
• The attire is crucial because it typifies the glorious robes we will wear in Heaven.
• The attire is crucial because they have been assigned by the will of God.
• The attire is crucial because it was directly related to the other colors of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
• The attire is crucial because of the priority of worship that it was involved with. Man could not be involved in the worship with any higher than Jehovah.
There must be dignity and reverence in every aspect of worship. In fact there is a passage from one of the Old Testament prophets that emphasizes this concept.
Joel 2:12-17 KJV Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: [13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. [14] Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? [15] Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: [16] Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. [17] Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Worship should have a sense of majesty about it so that when sinners come into a place of apostolic worship, they are not asking the question, “Where is their God?” When we come into the place of worship with a pure conscience, a ready mind, and a reverent heart, God will minister.
II. THE EPHOD
A. The Description
The ephod was the outer garment that was over the robe of the ephod (note the last study). The word “ephod” is defined as a vestment of a garment. The actual garment itself consisted of two pieces that covered the front and back of the priest. It was joined at the shoulders by straps that had one onyx stone mounted on top of a gold clasp. On the two stones were the sons of Jacob engraved on them. The names were in chronological order with the six eldest sons on one and the younger sons on the other. The purpose of this being that the priest was representing the entire nation when he went in to worship. There was a belt of sorts that held the front and back of the ephod securely on the body of the priest.
All of the priestly garments were not worn constantly but they were put on at some point every day. When the garments were put on, there was recognition of the glory, beauty, and perfection that God was aiming at to produce in the character of His people. This is still God’s plan for our generation also. God has a great desire for our lives to be conformed into His image and it happens in a progressive manner as we come into contact with the things of God on a daily basis.
When all of the materials, the precious gems, the gold, and the fine quality of the fabric would come into the brilliance of the sunlight there would be a great flash of truth. This man had not been elected into his position but rather had been directly chosen by God to speak to and represent the people. This same dynamic must continue even into the 21st century so that men continue to have a divine calling into ministry instead of it being a career choice of sorts. God (and the church) still needs men who are called in such a way that they cannot get out of it. Nothing else in life can satisfy them except being used by God in the furthering progress of the church.
B. The Ephod Throughout the Bible
It is also notable that there were others who used the ephod throughout the Bible who were not filling the role of the priest. Because of this, there are lessons that can be discovered in finding out what took place when the ephod was used by others who were not priests.
Samuel ministered before the Lord in an ephod (1 Sam. 2:18). It appears that despite the age and inexperience of Samuel that Eli recognized something in this young man and allowed him to wear an ephod to minister before the Lord. God has great use for those who are young (1 Tim. 4:12) and have a heart that turns towards the things of the Lord.
Obviously one of the most notable examples is when David put on the linen ephod and ushered the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:14). David exchanged his royal robes for the ephod of the priest which was much simpler in appearance than what he would wear in the official capacity of a king. His wife, Michal, mocked him because of his worship. More than one scholar hints at the fact that she was embarrassed at his attire of simplicity. The lesson we glean from this example is the fact that there will be some who will always think that matters of the kingdom of God are far below the holdings of this world. We can never forget that the spiritual riches far exceed the riches of this world.
Another example is taken from the life of David (1 Sam. 23:9; 30:7) when we note that he had the ephod brought to him when he was seeking direction from the Lord. Most scholars’ feel that this would have been associated it the Urim and Thummim which rested in small pouches on the breastplate. The lesson that we take away from this is the matter of understanding that we will always need direction from God in making decisions in this life. This is very crucial to understand when we are making critical decisions that will affect us for the rest of our lives.
There are also some very negative examples that are associated with the ephod. This can be very frightening to consider that something linked to the spiritual can become worldly. But there are times when the priests would wear the ephod but would be actively working in serving idols or in making alliances with the enemies of God (Judges 17:1-5; 18:14). In Hosea (3:4) it is discovered that the ephod had been used there in conjunction with idols. Of course it was written of Gideon that the ephod became a snare to him (Judges 8:27). This is the temptation that the devil used on Jesus (Matt. 4; Luke 4) when he wanted Him to leap from the Temple. We can turn holy things into idolatrous things. Even in our generation, it is important that we do not turn the things of God into idols. The church is a vehicle of grace and all the associated ministries of the local church are helpful but the reality of the matter is that we cannot afford to allow our devotion to the Lord lead us into the trap that hindered Gideon and Israel.
C. The Application for the New Testament Saint
As with all of the other garments, the ephod also has its own unique relations with the New Testament saint.
1. A Worshiper in Unity
The colors and the materials of the garments were the same as those that were throughout the Tabernacle. Therefore when we are filled with the Holy Ghost there are matters of the Kingdom that we must come into unity with.
• GOLD—A matter of divinity. We are partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
• BLUE—A type of heaven. We live in expectation of that great hope (Php. 3:20; Col. 1:5).
• PURPLE—A type of royalty. We are part of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9; Rev. 20:6 ).
• SCARLET—A type of the blood of Christ. We gain entrance into the Kingdom through the work of Calvary. There is no other way to gain entrance to Heaven except by the blood (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 9:14).
• FINE WHITE LINEN—A type of righteousness. We walk in righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:24; 1 John 3:3).
It is important that every New Testament saint walk in unity with these matters. If those who are in the church would make every effort to walk in communion with God in these, the Kingdom of God would progress as never before.
2. A Worshiper Reflecting the Glory of God
The design of the ephod was made in such a way that when it came into direct sunlight there were a variety of colors that would be reflected outwardly. All saints should greatly desire to reflect the glory of God. In fact, a saint is glorified by reflecting the glory of God. The more we can reflect the graces of God, the more perfect that God’s glory will be revealed in us.
There is a great connection between our faith and our character. What better way to sum up the reflection of the glory of God than in the Ten Commandments (Exo. 20:1-17). The glory of God is evident when we allow these ten principles to move us along the path. The Ten Commandments can be divided into two sections. They can be understood in several ways:
• Commandments 1-4 teach us the duties we owe God; Commandments 5-10 the duties we owe to people.
• Commandments 1-4 teach love for God; Commandments 5-10 love for others.
• Commandments 1-4 teach reverence for God; Commandments 5-10 respect for others.
• Commandments 1-4 are vertical; Commandments 5-10 are horizontal.
• Commandments 1-4 are doctrine; Commandments 5-10 are ethics.
The concept of God’s law is often missing in our grace overdosed generation. The reality of the matter is that when we live by the laws of God, there is an overwhelming grace that comes into living to the glory of God. Those who live a life by the disciplines of God’s law will find that the grace of God, the gospel of God, the holiness of God, the security of God, and the blessing of God will have a fortifying effect on my relationship with God and those around me.
3. A Worshiper Involved In Intercessory Prayer
It isn’t often that one represents worship with intercessory prayer. However as mentioned earlier when the priest would go into the Tabernacle or Temple on his shoulders was the names of the tribes of Israel. He was going to represent them before God. Every saint must be given to intercessory prayer. It is the hard work of worship and it takes commitment to the task and desire to see men saved.
Intercessory prayer is the most challenging kind of prayer to accomplish. It literally means that you are going between God and the person that you are praying for. Some may wonder why that intercessory prayer is so difficult. There are two areas of Scripture that helps shed light on it.
Romans 15:1-3 KJV We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. [2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. [3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Galatians 6:2 KJV Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
The fact that we are “bear” the infirmities and burdens of those who cannot spiritually manage to do so is what taxes us in this kind of praying. If we are to fill this role as intercessor, we do not simply carry the burdens of others but rather we also carry them away from others just as Jesus did. This does not mean that you become a “little” Jesus as was popular charismatic teaching in years gone by but rather we are representing the work that Jesus did at Calvary.
The Lord is the balm of Gilead (Jer. 8:22) but we apply this healing balm to others as we pray for them. The Lord is the fountain of life (Jer. 2:13; 17:13) but we do our part to dispense His living water. This is where you have to grasp the fact that you cannot accomplish this calling in your own strength.
In one of the short biographies of one of the ministers from the old holiness movement in the days of John Wesley, a son tells the story of finding a treasure of his father. After his father had passed away, he came across a little book that his father had kept the names of people he had prayed for and the date which he had prayed for them. The son confessed that it was a revelation to him of all the many names that he had long forgotten as the years had passed by. He saw not only names of those who were lost but also names of missionaries on far away fields of service where there were efforts being made to spread the Gospel. It was apparent that his father had prayed with a map of the nations of the world before him.
III. CONCLUSION—A SUBJECT TO BE REVISITED
There are times when I look back at some of the notes that I have scrapped together and feel that they have been incredibly inadequate at fully developing what Scripture was getting at. This series of lessons has been one of those times. I am certain that at some point in the future that I will go back again and work on these again in an effort to milk more out of this subject. In the meantime, I can be grateful for what was discovered in hopes that it will lead us all toward becoming more useful in the Kingdom of God.
Philip Harrelson
May 29, 2013
