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The Blue Ephod in the Service of Worship

March 13th, 2005

“And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked.”

(Exodus 28:6)

The Old Testament priest wore a sacred vestment called an ephod. This ephod was very colorful (Exodus 28:6). The colors which God here specified, are colors well known to artists as the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue). The Bible tells us why these colors were used: “And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2,40). Three reasons are suggested: sacredness, dignity, and the unmistakable importance of the priestly service of worship. Exodus 28:31 infers that the robe of the ephod was “all of blue,” perhaps suggesting it as the dominant color. We may also note that these colors are the colors of the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1:14- 17), namely, the blue heavens and the golden sun. The tabernacle, itself, was comprised of these same colors (Exodus 35-36), and, notably, so also was “the veil” (Exodus 36:35-38; see also Hebrews 6:19; 9:3; 10:20; 4:14).
Today, all believers who are “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3, 10, 11,12,13), through baptism (Acts 19:5), are also priests under the New Testament (Rev. 1:6). As such, they “worship by the Spirit of God” (Philippians 3:3; Jude 20), in the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). Their worship and service to God are, therefore, of the highest dignity, sacredness, and importance; no less than the sons of Aaron (1 Peter 2:9).
When Christians worship today, it is worship of great importance (John 4:23,24). It is worship offered in the blue ephod. Make God primary in your life today.

– Robert M. Housby

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