Exodus — Chapter 39

The vestments of Aaron and his sons, for the ministry of the sanctuary, were made of hyacinth and purple and scarlet, as the Lord commanded Moses. Lapide gives allegorical significance to each color: hyacinth (violet/blue) signifies heaven and the contemplative life; purple signifies royal dignity and the blood of martyrdom; scarlet signifies burning charity and penitential sorrow. He notes that the sacred vestments of the Church's liturgy directly continue this tradition: the colors of the liturgical calendar (white, red, green, purple) descend from the Mosaic vestments through apostolic tradition.

All the work of the Tabernacle of the testimony was finished; and the children of Israel did all things which the Lord had commanded Moses. Lapide counts seven notices in this chapter that Israel did \"as the Lord commanded Moses\"—corresponding to the seven days of creation. As God completed creation in seven acts and declared it very good, Moses completes the Tabernacle in seven corresponding acts of obedience, and declares it finished. The Church as the new creation mirrors and surpasses the first creation.