Exodus 28:15
And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it. And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
God commanded a breastplate of judgment to be skillfully and richly made to match the ephod, of gold and blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen, worn over the breast suspended from the shoulders and bordered with precious stones bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes set in gold. Set with those stones as part of sanctuary worship, it served as a means for receiving messages from Jehovah, with the light of His glory shining upon the stones in favor and the cloud of His disapproval shadowing them to show His presence. Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary wears a breastplate reflecting this design, glittering like diamonds and bearing letters like engraved names. At Christ's death, when the temple veil was torn, the earthly sanctuary's role ended and that glory no longer shone upon the stones nor shadowed them in disapproval, for costly materials and skilled workmanship did not make Gideon's imitation sacred, since sacredness depended on use in the service God had appointed by the high priest alone. That God gave special directions about ministerial dress shows He may be honored or dishonored by apparel, requiring order and cleanliness and clothing that represents Christ with care and good taste rather than fashion for display, while the many stones each with distinct light yet forming one breastplate show how people of different characteristics belong to one family.
Making and Sanctuary Use
Exodus 28:15 belongs to God's specific instructions prescribing garments of a particular style suited to service in the holy place. Those garments were specified by God for those who ministered before Him, requiring care and order that reflect reverence for God and the holiness of His work.
The breastplate of judgment was to be made with cunning work, finely, skillfully and richly wrought to match the workmanship of the ephod, of gold and blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen. It was a rich and beautiful covering suspended from the shoulders and worn over the breast. It was bordered with precious stones bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes, set in gold. God gave detailed instructions for its workmanship, colors, and materials as part of the high priest's garments.
Set with precious stones as part of sanctuary worship, the breastplate served as a means for receiving messages from Jehovah. The light of His glory shone upon the stones in favor, and the cloud of His disapproval shadowed them to show His presence. These shinings and shadowings upon the precious stones were signs of God's presence and glory in the earthly sanctuary.
Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary wears a breastplate reflecting this design, glittering like diamonds and bearing letters like names engraved upon it. This shows the priestly imagery applied to His ministry there.
At Christ's death, when the temple veil was torn, the earthly sanctuary's role ended. That glory no longer shone upon the stones nor shadowed them in disapproval, and those signs no longer appeared on the breastplate.
Gideon's imitation ephod and breastplate shows that costly materials and skilled workmanship for sacred service did not make them sacred. Their sacredness depended on use in the service God had appointed. Only the high priest was authorized to wear them when going before the Lord.
Dress and Unity
The God who moves the world and sustains life and health gave special directions about the dress of those who minister in His service. He may be honored or dishonored by the apparel of those who officiate before Him. That command for priestly clothing requires order in everything, and especially cleanliness. The detailed instructions for the breastplate, prescribing its workmanship, colors, and materials, belong to symbolic garments for those who served in the tabernacle. They show that dress matters to God and that the clothing of Christ's followers should represent Him. This calls for care and good taste in dress, not changes made merely to follow fashion or to attract display.
The breastplate was to be finely worked to match the ephod, made of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. Its many stones each had a distinct light and significance, yet together they formed one breastplate. In this way people with different characteristics can belong to one family.