“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.”
This verse is part of the instructions given to Moses by God for the construction of the priestly garments, specifically the ephod and its girdle. The ephod was a significant piece of clothing worn by the high priest of Israel. It played a crucial role in their priestly duties and symbolised their unique position as intermediaries between God and the people of Israel.
The Curious Girdle:The word “curious” here means “skillfully woven” or “artistic.” The girdle was a sash or belt worn around the ephod, emphasising the high priest’s consecration and authority. It was to be made with great care and attention to detail, signifying the importance of the priestly role and their responsibility in representing God to the people and the people to God.
Materials Used:
- Gold: Gold represents purity, divinity, and holiness. It symbolises the divine nature of the priesthood and the worthiness of God’s chosen servants to minister in His presence.
- Blue: Blue signifies the heavenly realm and the expanse of God’s glory. It reminds the priests and the people of the eternal and transcendent nature of God’s kingdom and His laws.
- Purple: Purple is a colour associated with royalty and majesty. It points to the kingly authority of God and foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, who is both King and Priest forever.
- Scarlet: Scarlet represents sacrifice, atonement, and redemption. It serves as a reminder of the need for bloodshed to cover sins and reconcile the people with God.
- Fine Twined Linen: Linen is a fabric associated with purity and righteousness. It reminds the priests of their need to be holy and set apart for God’s service.
Application for Christians:While the priestly garments and rituals of the Old Testament have been fulfilled in Christ, there are essential principles that Christians can glean from this verse:
- Dedication to Service: As Christians, we are called to be a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Like the high priest’s girdle, we should skillfully and diligently serve God, representing Him to the world through our actions and words.
- Holiness and Purity: The use of gold and fine linen reminds us of the need for holiness in our lives. We are called to be set apart from the world and consecrated for God’s purposes (Romans 12:1-2).
- Heavenly Perspective: The blue colour points to our heavenly citizenship and the eternal perspective we should have in all things (Colossians 3:1-2).
- Sacrifice and Redemption: The scarlet colour reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood has atoned for our sins and redeemed us (Ephesians 1:7).
- Servanthood and Royalty: We are both servants of God and heirs of His kingdom. We should embrace both humility in our service and the assurance of our royal identity in Christ (Galatians 4:7).
In conclusion, Exodus 28:8 provides valuable insights into the significance of the priestly garments and how they foreshadowed the person and work of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we can learn from these symbols and apply the principles of dedication, holiness, heavenly perspective, sacrifice, and our dual identity as servants and heirs in our walk with God.
