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2 lines
2.4 KiB
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<p>Directions are here given concerning the ephod, which was the outmost garment of the high priest. <i>Linen</i> ephods were worn by the inferior priests, <a class="bibleref" title="1Sam.22.18" href="/passage/?search=1Sam.22.18">1 Sam. 22:18</a>. Samuel wore one when he was a child (<a class="bibleref" title="1Sam.2.18" href="/passage/?search=1Sam.2.18">1 Sam. 2:18</a>), and David when he danced before the ark (<a class="bibleref" title="2Sam.6.14" href="/passage/?search=2Sam.6.14">2 Sam. 6:14</a>); but this which the high priest only wore was called a <i>golden ephod</i>, because there was a great deal of gold woven into it. It was a short coat without sleeves, buttoned closely to him, with a curious girdle of the same stuff (<a class="bibleref" title="Exod.28.6-Exod.28.8" href="/passage/?search=Exod.28.6-Exod.28.8">Exod. 28:6-8</a>); the shoulder-pieces were buttoned together with two precious stones set in gold, one on each shoulder, on which were engraven the names of the <i>children of Israel</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Exod.28.9-Exod.28.12" href="/passage/?search=Exod.28.9-Exod.28.12">Exod. 28:9-12</a>. In allusion to this, 1. Christ our high priest appeared to John <i>girt about the breast with a golden girdle</i>, such as was the curious girdle of the ephod, <a class="bibleref" title="Rev.1.13" href="/passage/?search=Rev.1.13">Rev. 1:13</a>. Righteousness is the girdle of his loins (<a class="bibleref" title="Isa.11.6" href="/passage/?search=Isa.11.6">Isa. 11:6</a>), and should be of ours, <a class="bibleref" title="Eph.6.14" href="/passage/?search=Eph.6.14">Eph. 6:14</a>. He is girt with strength for the work of our salvation, and is ready for it. 2. The government is said to be <i>upon his shoulders</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Isa.9.6" href="/passage/?search=Isa.9.6">Isa. 9:6</a>), as Aaron had the names of all Israel upon his shoulders in precious stone. He presents to himself and to his Father <i>a glorious church</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Eph.5.27" href="/passage/?search=Eph.5.27">Eph. 5:27</a>. He has power to support them, interest to recommend them, and it is in him that they are remembered with honour and favour. He bears them before the Lord <i>for a memorial</i> (<a class="bibleref" title="Exod.28.12" href="/passage/?search=Exod.28.12">Exod. 28:12</a>), in token of his <i>appearing before God</i> as the representative of all Israel and an advocate for them.</p>
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