Daily Devotions
Exodus
"For the lips of the priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth, for he is a messenger of the LORD of hosts." Malachi 2:7
Text: Exodus 28 : 5-8
WHAT IS AN EPHOD?
The word “ephod” simply means “a covering.” The word itself was not used exclusively for the garment of the High Priest. It took on special significance only after God spoke to Moses concerning this special garment that Aaron the High Priest was to wear. (Archaeological discovery suggests that ephods were not exclusively used by priests).
David wore an ephod when he brought back the ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and he was not a priest (Cf. 2 Samuel 6:14)!
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MAKING OF AARON’S EPHOD
God gave detailed instructions concerning the making of a special ephod for the high priest.
1. Coloured Threads
Special coloured threads were chosen to form the fabric of the high priestly ephod. These colours would make the priestly garment special.
“They shall take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread,
and the fine linen thread, and they shall make the ephod
of gold, blue, purple and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen,
artistically worked.” Exodus 28:5-6
These colours would be similar to the ones that were used to adorn the curtain-walls of the Tabernacle! “Glory and beauty” were to be in the mind of those who wove the high priestly ephod! They must use all the artistic skills they possessed to create these garments that would be used in the Tabernacle ministry!
2. The Design of the Ephod
The ephod was designed to be worn very carefully. Instructions were to be followed carefully. Shoulder straps, the band of the ephod… each piece was designed by the Lord Himself!
“It shall have two shoulder straps joined at its two edges, so it
shall be joined together. And the intricately woven band of the
ephod, which is on it, shall be of the same workmanship, made of
gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen.”
Exodus 28:7-8
The high priestly ephod was designed to an extra-ordinary piece of garment that only the high priest was allowed to wear! The phrase “Of the same workmanship” suggests that a high standard must be maintained as the ephod was made. It would take a master weaver to be able to expertly blend the different types of thread so that the ephod turns out to be a most beautiful garment!