Christ in all the scriptures The High Priests garments The Ephod

 Christ in all the scriptures

The garments of the High Priest   the Ephod  Exodus 28v5-12

We consider now the reality of the High Priestly ministry of Christ, of which Aaron is typical.  The type falls down, as all types come short, and this is seen in the fact Aaron could not enter the sanctuary in garments of glory and beauty, but must change into the pure white linen Ephod-Leviticus 16v4v23.  This distinguishes him from Christ.  Indeed the Aaronic priesthood is distinguished from the priesthood of Christ in Hebrews, where the superior priesthood of Christ is after the order of Melchisedek.  The important thing for us is the realisation of the High Priestly work of Christ for us in the present.  There is a sense in which His work was finished on the cross; it is also true that His work for us continues all through life.  WE ARE NOT ALONE ON THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY, and it is vital we are aware of it.  We have a great High Priest in heaven who ministers in the sanctuary on our behalf.  Scriptures like Romans 5v10 "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life"!  He is alive, He is active for us.  Romans 8v24, "Christ died, yea rather is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us!"  Hebrews 7v25, "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them"!  Believers, enter into the joy of knowing that, not only did He die to save you, but He lives to comfort you through life, and He will bring you through no matter what.

Attention is drawn to the beautiful colours of the ephod, and also the wonderful function of the ephod.  The ephod was a sleeveless apron like vesture, secured by a sash of similar colouring, called a curious girdle, and stretching  to below the hips.  The ephod was worn over the blue robe and was the primary visual appearance.  Its colours were gold and blue and purple and scarlet, and made of fine twined linen.  It was made by the finest artisans who had learned their trade in Egypt; thus it was a garment of highest quality, as well as dazzling beauty.  It was the same expensive material as the inner curtains.  This fact alone links the High Priest to the holy place and the inner sanctuary.  

Gold  symbolising Deity-Hebrews 4v14 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God...".  Gold is mentioned first and is the predominant colour of the ephod.  Our great High Priest, who can, and does sympathise with our infirmities, is no less than God Himself!  This awesome truth can be traced throughout the letter to Hebrews.

Blue  His heavenly sphere of service-Hebrews 9v24 "Christ has entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us".

Purple  His majestic office-Hebrews 1v3, "When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high ; He brews 8v1 "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens|"; Hebrews 10v12, But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God."; Hebrews 12v2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...who is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." 

Scarlet  His sacrificial nature-Hebrews 2v10, "For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings";  Hebrews 5v8 "Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things that He suffered."

Fine twined linen  His righteous character, His interceding's are always accepted because of His nature-Hebrews 9v14 "...offered Himself without spot to God."; Hebrews 4v15, "He was in all points put to the test as we are, yet without sin"; Hebrews 7v2, "King of righteousness...King of peace"; Hebrews 7v26 "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners".

Attached to the ephod on both shoulder straps are onyx stones set in sockets of gold.  On these are engraved the names of the children of Israel, six on each shoulder, listed in accordance with their birth.  Thus on the right shoulder were the names of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali; on the left shoulder, Gad, Asher, Issachar; Zebulon, Joseph, Benjamin.  These are the twelve tribes, representing all the people of God.  They are supported on the High Priest's shoulder, the symbol of strength.  No matter their tortuous history, His strength will see them through.  Modern history is testimony to that!  Way into the future, scripture speaks of the twelve tribes, currently scattered throughout the nations of the world, but will be gathered intact as a unit.  James wrote to the twelve tribes; Peter to the dispersion in Asia; John, writing concerning the end times, mentions them in prophecy-Revelation 7 and 20v12.  All those born into the family of God will endure to the end in the strong support of their leader.  The words of Augustus Toplady are relevant here, "The work which His goodness began, the arm of His strength will complete".   He carries all His people on His shoulder.  Remember the mention of His shoulder in Isaiah 9v6, "The government (that is the government of the world) shall be on His shoulder"-strong shoulder! In the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, He carried the sheep on His shoulders (plural).  This symbolism of the work of Christ in heaven today is very graphic:

Onyx   Onyx is the colour of a human nail, no matter the skin pigmentation; all human nails are the same.  This is the UNIVERSAL colour common to all.  Thus all God's people are implied- Hebrews 7v25, "He is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him".

The curious girdle  Speaks of constant activity, with no hindrances to His service.  The girdle for clothing was used in work in travel and in warfare to enable free movement-He is with us in every situation, the subject of Psalm 121.

The names were engraven  This speaks of the PERMANENCE of His ministry on our behalf-Hebrews 6v20; 7v3.  The engraving was professionally done.

The names were according to birth  They were not arranged according to their fidelity, but according to birth.  His ministry for us is IMPARTIAL- Hebrews 2v17.

The names were for a memorial   They will never be forgotten-Hebrews 13v5-6.

They were secured in sockets of gold  They are unassailable, nothing, no one, can harm them!-they are preserved by Deity-Matthew 16v18; John 6v39; John 10v28-29; John 17v12; John 18v9; Romans 8v35-39.