Tabernacle Craftsmen, the High Priest and the Glory Cloudby KalebRosendahl
28:18Exodus 28:18
And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Exodus 28:18 specifies three precious jewels for the second row of the high priest's breastplate as part of God's detailed directions to Moses for Aaron's priestly garments and service before Him. The breastplate was a rich and beautiful covering bordered with precious stones bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes engraved on stones set in gold, of the same kinds as those used for the twelve foundations of the city of God. Its stones conveyed messages from Jehovah, shining with light in approval and shadowed with cloud in disapproval as a reflection of the glory of God's presence, a manifestation that ceased over the earthly mercy seat when Christ died and the temple veil was torn. The exact requirements of style, order and cleanliness were to teach reverence, since the apparel of those officiating before God can honor or dishonor Him, and costly materials alone could not make Gideon's imitation ephod and breastplate sacred, for sacredness came from God's appointed use by the authorized high priest, while Christ's followers likewise are to dress to represent Christ. Each stone with its own distinct light and significance contributed to the beauty of the one breastplate, illustrating how members with different characteristics form one church family, an imagery reflected in Jesus entering the inner apartment of the heavenly sanctuary in priestly garments wearing a glittering breastplate bearing engraved names.
Stones and Breastplate Description
The second row of the high priest's breastplate holds an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. That row belongs to the breastplate connected with receiving messages from Jehovah. The breastplate itself was a rich and beautiful covering for the breast, bordered with precious stones, with the names of Israel's twelve tribes engraved on precious stones set in gold within its border. Its stones were of the same kinds as those used for the twelve foundations of the city of God.
Each stone had its own distinct light and significance bearing an important message from God. Distinct as they were, together they contributed to the beauty and meaning of the one breastplate.
Divine Guidance and Presence
The breastplate was connected with receiving messages from Jehovah. Light resting on the right-hand stone showed approval and success, while a cloud resting on the left-hand stone showed disapproval and refusal. In the earthly sanctuary its precious stones were associated with the glory of God's presence, which shone upon them in approval and shadowed them in disapproval.
When Christ died and the temple veil was torn, the stones were exposed, and God's presence no longer overshadowed the earthly mercy seat. From that time that glory and shadow no longer appeared on the breastplate. The breastplate and ephod Gideon made imitated the high priest's garments, but their costly materials did not make them sacred. Sacredness came from use in the worship God had directed, and only the high priest was authorized to wear them when appearing before the Lord.
Its imagery is reflected in Jesus wearing a glittering breastplate as, clothed in priestly garments, He enters the inner apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. Names are engraved upon that breastplate, and it glitters like diamonds.
Sacred Dress and Reverence
The verse belongs to God's special, detailed directions to Moses about everything connected with His service, including Aaron's priestly garments. Those directions distinctly specified what those ministering in the priest's office before Him in the holy place were to wear. They required garments in a particular style in accordance with their work. Everything connected with sacred service was to be orderly and clean, with order maintained in everything and cleanliness especially preserved.
The apparel of those who officiate before God can honor or dishonor Him. The requirement of order and cleanliness was to teach the people reverence for God and to regard His work as holy. Aaron's robes were symbolic, and as this naming of emerald, sapphire, and diamond in the second row belongs to those specifications, the dress of Christ's followers should likewise represent Christ.
Each stone had its own light and significance bearing an important message from God. The stones were distinct, yet together they formed one breastplate. In this they illustrate how members with different characteristics form one church family.
Exodus 28:18 specifies three precious jewels for the second row of the high priest's breastplate as part of God's detailed directions to Moses for Aaron's priestly garments and service before Him. The breastplate was a rich and beautiful covering bordered with precious stones bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes engraved on stones set in gold, of the same kinds as those used for the twelve foundations of the city of God. Its stones conveyed messages from Jehovah, shining with light in approval and shadowed with cloud in disapproval as a reflection of the glory of God's presence, a manifestation that ceased over the earthly mercy seat when Christ died and the temple veil was torn. The exact requirements of style, order and cleanliness were to teach reverence, since the apparel of those officiating before God can honor or dishonor Him, and costly materials alone could not make Gideon's imitation ephod and breastplate sacred, for sacredness came from God's appointed use by the authorized high priest, while Christ's followers likewise are to dress to represent Christ. Each stone with its own distinct light and significance contributed to the beauty of the one breastplate, illustrating how members with different characteristics form one church family, an imagery reflected in Jesus entering the inner apartment of the heavenly sanctuary in priestly garments wearing a glittering breastplate bearing engraved names.
Stones and Breastplate Description
The second row of the high priest's breastplate holds an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. That row belongs to the breastplate connected with receiving messages from Jehovah. The breastplate itself was a rich and beautiful covering for the breast, bordered with precious stones, with the names of Israel's twelve tribes engraved on precious stones set in gold within its border. Its stones were of the same kinds as those used for the twelve foundations of the city of God.
Each stone had its own distinct light and significance bearing an important message from God. Distinct as they were, together they contributed to the beauty and meaning of the one breastplate.
Divine Guidance and Presence
The breastplate was connected with receiving messages from Jehovah. Light resting on the right-hand stone showed approval and success, while a cloud resting on the left-hand stone showed disapproval and refusal. In the earthly sanctuary its precious stones were associated with the glory of God's presence, which shone upon them in approval and shadowed them in disapproval.
When Christ died and the temple veil was torn, the stones were exposed, and God's presence no longer overshadowed the earthly mercy seat. From that time that glory and shadow no longer appeared on the breastplate. The breastplate and ephod Gideon made imitated the high priest's garments, but their costly materials did not make them sacred. Sacredness came from use in the worship God had directed, and only the high priest was authorized to wear them when appearing before the Lord.
Its imagery is reflected in Jesus wearing a glittering breastplate as, clothed in priestly garments, He enters the inner apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. Names are engraved upon that breastplate, and it glitters like diamonds.
Sacred Dress and Reverence
The verse belongs to God's special, detailed directions to Moses about everything connected with His service, including Aaron's priestly garments. Those directions distinctly specified what those ministering in the priest's office before Him in the holy place were to wear. They required garments in a particular style in accordance with their work. Everything connected with sacred service was to be orderly and clean, with order maintained in everything and cleanliness especially preserved.
The apparel of those who officiate before God can honor or dishonor Him. The requirement of order and cleanliness was to teach the people reverence for God and to regard His work as holy. Aaron's robes were symbolic, and as this naming of emerald, sapphire, and diamond in the second row belongs to those specifications, the dress of Christ's followers should likewise represent Christ.
Each stone had its own light and significance bearing an important message from God. The stones were distinct, yet together they formed one breastplate. In this they illustrate how members with different characteristics form one church family.