15 “Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper.[b] Mount them in gold filigree settings.21 There are to be 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.
22 “For the breastpiece make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. 23 Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastpiece.24 Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastpiece,25 and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. 26 Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastpiece on the inside edge next to the ephod. 27 Make two more gold rings and attach 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. 28 The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod.
29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord. Exodus 28:15-30 NIV
Earlier in my life I could only see God in the extremes of my mind. He was either the God of Justice and wrath or the benevolent Santa Claus I so desired Him to be, as if it were up to me. God is just, He hates sin, and though this cannot change nor should, He is also most caring. Does it not say that not even a sparrow falls without His knowing, yet we, who are often unjust, try to judge Him, conforming Him to some image of our own vanity. Yet since Genesis He has been explaining our relationship to Him, the void between us, and the dangers of our deceitful hearts. Here it is in a picture, once again, the stones upon the breast piece, next to the heart of Aaron, who shall stand before God almighty on behalf of this people. The names of the tribes written upon each stone, and not mere rocks, but precious stones. So why the need for precious stones, gold, and fine workmanship? It is a part of the revelation, just as Urim and Thummim were used to represent light and integrity, so shall God's word bring light and His priest should function with integrity. They should know that the stone's represent what is precious to God, a people set apart.
"Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, 'Here I am.'" 7How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" 8Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, They shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes When the LORD restores Zion.…Isaiah 52:6-8
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.…1 John 4:9-11
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.