EXODUS 28
6 “And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. 7 It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. 8 And the skillfully woven band on it shall be made like it and be of one piece with it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 9 You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. 11 As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree. 12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance. 13 You shall make settings of gold filigree, 14 and two chains of pure gold, twisted like cords; and you shall attach the corded chains to the settings. – Exodus 28:6-13
EXODUS 28 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRIESTLY GARMENTS
After the Lord God appointed Aaron and his sons as priests, he specified to Moses that they must wear certain garments to identify them apart from the rest of God’s people. They were intercessors for the people and God gave them authority to do so. These garments would indicate and remind the people of God that they had authority to intercede for them. So, this is a special clothing that represents God’s spiritual authority given to the priests.
The ephod was made of gold. In the bible, gold has many symbols and meaning. It could be of material wealth and prosperity, divine sacredness and purity, wisdom, righteousness and tests of faith. Linen was a symbol of purity. Blue, purple and scarlet yarns were also used to make this ephod just like the curtains and coverings in the tabernacle. The onyx stone is a very dark stone which probably represents sin or darkness and adding the engravement of the twelve tribes of Israel will remind them of the sinfulness of God’s people. The priest who will wear the ephod will carry on his shoulder the sins of the tribes of Israel.
Because Jesus has already died for all sinners, we don’t need these garments for priests anymore because he is our High Priest and our intercessor.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think priests in the Catholic Church still wear priestly garments?
