#235 Stones Throw Away

8 They fashioned the breastpiece—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 9 It was square—a span[b] long and a span wide—and folded double. 10 Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 11 the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 12 the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; 13 the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper.[c] They were mounted in gold filigree settings. 14 There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

15 For the breastpiece they made braided chains of pure gold, like a rope.16 They made two gold filigree settings and two gold rings, and fastened the rings to two of the corners of the breastpiece. 17 They fastened the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece, 18 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 19 They made two gold rings and attached them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. 20 Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. 21 They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod—as the Lord commanded Moses. Exodus 39: 8-21 NIV

Opinions seem to very on the order of the stones, which some may find significant, but I do not. Here is a list of the stones possibly used:

Ruby - Reuben - Red

Jade - Shimon - Green

Agate - Levi - Red, White, and Black Striped

Carbuncle - Judah - Bluish-Green

Lapis-Lazuli - Issachar - Blue

Quartz Crystal - Zebulun - Clear

Turquoise - Dan - Blue

Amethyst - Naftali - Purple

Agate - Gad - Grey

Aquamarine - Asher - Blue-Green

Onyx - Joseph - Black

Opal - Benjamin - A Stone Possessing All the Colors

These are the stones with the corresponding tribes, whom the priests served. These are the names that attended his heart every time he went before the Lord. Oh what heaviness to carry, and how hard the stones. He must present God's provision, the words the people do not want to hear. The people are not here for the priest though, but he for them, and so not to their approval but rather to the saving of their lives. He must therefore not be a politician. He must be honest, sincere, sober minded and loving. The priest is a dead man walking; he is not there on his own behalf. His words do not matter, and his opinion is not needed. What did God say?

"Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem. 34"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!35"Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'" Luke 13:33-35