What is the meaning of Exodus 28:31? You are to make - The opening words show that the design of Israel’s worship was never left to human creativity; the LORD Himself commands: “See that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40). - God’s directive highlights His authority and the priest’s accountability. Like Noah building the ark (Genesis 6:22) and Moses erecting the tabernacle “just as the LORD had commanded” (Exodus 40:16), obedience brings the blessing of God’s presence. - This clear instruction also underlines that holiness is not self-defined. Hebrews 8:5 reminds us that the earthly sanctuary is “a copy and shadow of what is in heaven,” so precise obedience matters. the robe of the ephod - The robe (sometimes called the “robe of the ephod”) was worn under the ephod yet over the linen tunic (Exodus 28:4–5; Leviticus 8:7). It set the high priest apart from all other priests. - Purpose and symbolism: • It distinguished the mediator of the covenant (compare Hebrews 5:1). • It testified to the beauty and glory of God (Exodus 28:2). • Its tassels of pomegranates and bells (v. 33–35) announced the priest’s movement, ensuring that “he will not die.” The garment literally guarded life, pointing to Christ, our High Priest, whose perfect righteousness keeps us alive before God (Hebrews 7:23–25). entirely of blue cloth - “Entirely” shows completeness—no mixture, no compromise. Holiness demands wholeness (James 1:17). - Blue in Scripture often draws the eye upward to heaven. The sky itself preaches the color’s message. God told all Israel to add a blue cord to their tassels “so that you may remember and do all My commandments” (Numbers 15:38–40). - On the tabernacle curtains and veil, blue thread likewise pictured the heavenly throne (Exodus 26:1, 31). Ezekiel 1:26 and Revelation 21:19 both link sapphire or deep blue tones to God’s dwelling. The high priest, draped head-to-toe in blue, carried the reminder of heaven’s purity into the Most Holy Place. summary Exodus 28:31 records a literal, God-given design: “You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth.” The verse teaches that worship begins with God’s command, centers on a divinely appointed mediator, and continually points us heavenward. The high priest’s blue robe declared that only complete, uncompromised holiness can dwell in God’s presence—a truth ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our flawless High Priest. |
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