The Ephod

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Exodus 28:5-6; Exodus 39:1-2
"And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen. And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.-Ex. 28:5-6
"And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service, to do service in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the Lord commanded Moses. "And he made the ephod of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.-Ex. 39:1-2
The two materials here specified, are gold, and fine twined linen; the others-blue, purple, and scarlet-are colors, emblazoned upon the fine twined linen, and everywhere interlaced by the gold. The mode in which this was done, is described in chap. 39.
" And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work." Thus, the strength and glory of the gold was intimately blended with every part of the ephod, and gave firmness, as well as brilliancy, to the whole fabric. In other respects, the texture was the same as that of the vail. The word change is only used in Scripture respecting ourselves as sinners, and as having mortal corruptible bodies. " We shall all be changed." " The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed," whether sleeping or alive at the coming of the Lord. The word here used is the same as in Heb. 1, with reference to Creation: " as a vesture shalt thou fold them (the earth and the heavens) up, and they shall be changed." Another word is used, Phil. ill. 2 t, " who shall change (or, transform) our body of humiliation; that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." Resurrection, to the blessed Lord, was no such change. " Thou art the same," was the word spoken to Him by God, when on the cross. He is the same, whether yesterday in humiliation, or to-day in glory; the same, eternally. And yet, He was crucified through weakness, and His days on earth are spoken of as " the days of His flesh;" words which are not applicable to Him any more. Whilst on earth He partook of flesh and blood in order to die. In resurrection, He has a body of glory. It was impossible that He could be holden of death; and He cannot again return to it. Raised in power; declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Almighty strength, and divine majesty, are now manifested in Him, (in contrast with His days of weakness,) faintly typified by the wire of solid gold, which everywhere pervaded the ephod of the high priest.
There is still the same fullness of the love of God, in Him now, and portrayed by the heavenly blue, as He manifested when on earth. The royal dignity of the Son of David, the princely heart of munificence, mercy, and justice, abide in Him, now that He is seated upon the throne of the majesty in the heavens:-Scarlet as well as blue, are colors of the ephod. The purple also-the new and wondrous color, which combines in itself both the blue and the scarlet-was curiously wrought in this priestly garment; a color denoting that great mystery, so inseparably connected with all contemplation of the ways, thoughts, and words of Jesus; viz: that He did combine the wisdom, love, holiness, and power of God, with every true feeling, affection, and sympathy, proper to man. All these glories and beauties were inwrought in a vesture of fine twined linen. The righteous One, who had manifested unsullied purity and unblemished spotlessness on earth, has been raised up, the Son of Man, in glory; because of His perfect obedience, and the delight which He had in accomplishing the will of God.
Having before more fully entered upon the subject of the colors, this notice of them may be deemed sufficient.