THE EPHOD
It is a sacred garment worn by priests in ancient Israel, apparently with spiritual quality, for it aided access to the divine...
It would appear to be the elaborate tunic described below and used not only in religious ritual but also for divination purpose...
“and you shall weave the long and sleeved tunic of checker work of fine linen or silk and make a turban of fine linen or silk; and you shall make a girdle; the work of the embroiderer” Exodus 28: 39 (AMP)
A mental picture of the above describes a beautifully pleated work of art...
The divination use of an ephod would match occasions when decorative garments were put on statues of Egyptian deities, even in our contemporary...
The making of suitable clothing for the priests required people who are specially gifted in the art, using variety of materials that are precious. Linen was the finest cloth available and purple, for example was a very expensive dye. Its value in New Testament times is shown in the book of Acts; Lydia, who was a woman of importance, was described as “a dealer in fabrics dyed purple” Acts 16: 14 (AMP).
The clothes to be made included a breast piece which bore the names of the sons of Israel as a continuing memorial before God; the ephod which consisted of two pieces made from “blue, scarlet and fine linen yarn”. The priestly robe was decorated with gold bells so that the high priest could be heard as he moved around in the tabernacle. Its sound announces when he enters the holy place before God and when he comes out. If no sound is heard, signaling his coming out, then he may have died because he was not holy when he went before God. The bells are thus, also a reminder to the priest and the congregation that while it is a privilege to serve God, it cannot be done with a carefree attitude. The turban had a plate of pure gold attached to it with words: HOLY TO THE LORD engraved on it. This golden plate rested on the priest’s forehead, where it would be a reminder of the holiness of The Lord and the burden on the priest. He comes before a Holy God to represent a sinful people and to ask for the forgiveness of their sins. Thus, his success at this is a blessing to the people while his failure would be a disaster. This priestly role is a very delicate ministry and a very crucial responsibility. The garments are to be sacred as a reminder that without holiness, it is impossible to serve God in His approved way…
Nevertheless in the year 2011, one might be tempted to wonder or to question a topic on the ephod…
While the idea of sacred clothing for priests is not as important in our day, for Christ is the highest of priests, the principle still applies with regard to whatever or whoever has been set aside for God’s use!
For instance, there is no ministry in the Church that can be regarded irrelevant or second-placed before God. The moment you avail yourself of the salvation freely given by Jesus Christ, you have become sacred, therefore you are not permitted to be a play-thing in the hands of the devil!
Money that has been set aside through tithes and offering for use in God’s work, must not be frivolously regarded!
Another aspect that God takes seriously, with regards to sacredness is our bodies! Little wonder that Apostle Paul’s charge comes in a passionate plea “I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational and intelligent) service and spiritual worship” Romans 12: 1 (AMP).
My friend, whatever God has set aside for Himself becomes HOLY, therefore anyone who abuses it invites God’s wrath!
As the redeemed of God from sin, we belong to Christ; both physically and spiritually. Our physical bodies are as much part of His body as our souls. So, when we indulge in any degree of sexual immorality, we incur God’s anger!
The sanest way to deal with “all appearances of evil” is to “flee”, to run away and avoid them. To practically run from sin, does not suggest cowardice or weakness, it shows the measure of value we place on our souls and our perspective of eternity. Apostle Paul points out that the folly of giving in to sexual temptation is a sin that affects one’s own body. “but he who commits sexual immorality, sins against his own body” 1Corinthians 6: 18b (AMP). Other sins like drunkenness and the like, also affect one’s own body but not to the same extent that sexual sin does!
Suffice it not to say that sin is of varying pardonable magnitudes. Scriptures affirm that “the soul that sins, it (is the one that) shall die”… Ezekiel 18: 20a (AMP).
For the remission of our sins, we have been given the privilege of our bodies being regarded as the temples of the sacred Holy Spirit of God. “Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of The Holy Spirit… you are not your own” 1Corinthians 6: 19 (AMP). Immoral behaviors desecrate that temple!
Therefore, to the guardian of my soul, my conscious plea is continually:
“O let me feel thee near me; the world is ever near,
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear.
O let me hear thee speaking in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control,
O speak and make me listen, and shield my soul from sin.
Blessed Trinity, never permit me to be deaf to your voice of cautions!”
ayanfeLAMPROS.