Exodus 39:1–7 “The Weight of the Ephod”

Family/Children’s Resources will resume on Monday, July 28 (due to limited internet access at Youth Short-Term Outreach Trip.)

Explanation:

After completing the construction of the tabernacle and all its furnishings, Bezalel and Oholiab made the garments for Aaron and his sons to wear (v. 1). Just as the tabernacle symbolized the glory of God, the priestly garments also symbolized God’s majesty and authority. For that reason, all kinds of precious stones and fine materials were used in making them.

The ephod was a garment worn over the priest’s shoulders like a vest. The ephod and its shoulder straps were made by twisting gold thread together with four kinds of colored threads (blue, purple, crimson, and finely twisted linen) (vv. 2–5). Then two onyx stones (reddish-colored gems) were engraved with the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob), and these stones were attached to the shoulder pieces of the ephod (v. 6). All of this was done according to the instructions Moses had received from the Lord.

Meditation:

To wear the ephod meant that the priest was standing before God on behalf of the twelve tribes of Israel. It meant that the destiny of the entire nation rested upon the priest’s shoulders. One can only imagine how the priest must have felt as he consciously put on the ephod. Though the physical weight of the ephod may not have been great, the symbolic weight must have pressed heavily on him. On the Day of Atonement, when he entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for all the people of Israel, he did not enter as a single individual—but as the embodiment of the entire nation. That is why the people could believe that his act of atonement was effective in resolving their sins.

When Jesus went to the cross to atone for the sins of humanity, He did not go as a mere individual but as the representative of all humankind. Through His act of atonement, the sins of the entire human race were dealt with. Just as the whole of Israel was represented in the person of the high priest, so all of humanity was embodied in Jesus Christ. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was seeking the strength to bear the weight of the ephod engraved with the names of all humanity. That burden was so heavy that He desired, if possible, not to put it on. But after long hours of prayer, He chose to clothe Himself in that ephod and went before Pilate—and ultimately ascended the cross.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are called to be a “royal priesthood.” The Lord calls us, too, to wear the ephod. This means we are to carry our neighbors in our prayers. It is a call to live not only for ourselves, but to embrace others with the heart of the Lord. He asks us to willingly bear the weight of the ephod. This is what it means to take up our own cross and follow Him.

Prayer:

Lord, You hold all of humanity in Your heart, while we are such weak beings that we often fail to fully embrace even our own families. We are not worthy to be called a “royal priesthood.” We kneel before Your words: “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” (Matthew 5:46). Help us to embrace more people within our hearts, and may there be no one we are unwilling to carry in love with. Only You, Lord, can make us such people. Amen.