And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Exodus 28:19 names the ligure, agate, and amethyst as the three stones forming the third row of the high priest's breastplate, which bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraved on precious stones set in gold. It belongs to God's detailed directions for the dress of those who minister before Him in the holy place, showing that He is honored by order, cleanliness, and reverence in sacred service. The breastplate was sacred because the high priest alone wore it to seek answers from Jehovah, whose approval or disapproval was shown by His glory upon its stones. Its heavenly counterpart is worn by Jesus as He ministers in the heavenly sanctuary, for after Christ's death God's glory no longer shone upon the earthly stones nor His disapproval shadowed them. Its stones are of the same kinds as the twelve foundations of the city of God, each with its own light and meaning, showing how people of distinct character are united in one family whose dress and appearance represent Him.
Breastplate Stones and Setting
The third row of the high priest's breastplate held a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. That same row belongs to the breastplate's heavenly counterpart worn by Jesus, with its engraved names glittering as He ministers in the heavenly sanctuary and enters the second apartment. The breastplate was bordered and set with precious stones of different materials, bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes engraved on stones set in gold.
It was a sacred object because it was used in God's appointed service, and the high priest alone was authorized to wear it when going before the Lord. It served as a means for receiving messages from Jehovah, with two larger stones at its sides giving signs of approval or refusal when the priests sought His answer. God's glory and His disapproval were shown upon its precious stones in the earthly sanctuary.
That heavenly counterpart is worn by Jesus as He enters the second apartment and ministers in the heavenly sanctuary, with its engraved names glittering. After Christ's death, when the temple veil was torn, God's glory no longer shone upon the earthly breastplate stones and His disapproval no longer shadowed them. Its stones were of the same materials and kinds as those forming the twelve foundations of the city of God.
Sacred Dress and Unity
The ligure, agate, and amethyst of the third row belong to God's special, detailed directions to Moses about everything connected with His service. Those directions specified the dress of those who minister before Him, with a particular style suited to service in the holy place. The breastplate itself was a sacred object because it was used in God's appointed service, and the high priest alone was authorized to wear it when going before the Lord. The minuteness of the instructions for Aaron's robes shows that God cared about the clothing of those who served Him, and his dress was symbolic. God may be honored or dishonored by the apparel of those who officiate before Him, for He requires order in everything and especially cleanliness. Sacred service was to be carried out with order, cleanliness, and reverence, so that the people would recognize His holiness and the sacredness of His work.
Those who serve before God must therefore be careful and exact in their appearance. As Aaron's dress was symbolic, so the dress of Christ's followers should likewise represent Him. Each stone in the breastplate had its own light and significance, contributing to the beauty, meaning, and message of the whole. The many distinct stones thus illustrate how people with distinct characteristics and different ways of expressing truth can belong to one united family.
Exodus 28:19 names the ligure, agate, and amethyst as the three stones forming the third row of the high priest's breastplate, which bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraved on precious stones set in gold. It belongs to God's detailed directions for the dress of those who minister before Him in the holy place, showing that He is honored by order, cleanliness, and reverence in sacred service. The breastplate was sacred because the high priest alone wore it to seek answers from Jehovah, whose approval or disapproval was shown by His glory upon its stones. Its heavenly counterpart is worn by Jesus as He ministers in the heavenly sanctuary, for after Christ's death God's glory no longer shone upon the earthly stones nor His disapproval shadowed them. Its stones are of the same kinds as the twelve foundations of the city of God, each with its own light and meaning, showing how people of distinct character are united in one family whose dress and appearance represent Him.
Breastplate Stones and Setting
The third row of the high priest's breastplate held a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. That same row belongs to the breastplate's heavenly counterpart worn by Jesus, with its engraved names glittering as He ministers in the heavenly sanctuary and enters the second apartment. The breastplate was bordered and set with precious stones of different materials, bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes engraved on stones set in gold.
It was a sacred object because it was used in God's appointed service, and the high priest alone was authorized to wear it when going before the Lord. It served as a means for receiving messages from Jehovah, with two larger stones at its sides giving signs of approval or refusal when the priests sought His answer. God's glory and His disapproval were shown upon its precious stones in the earthly sanctuary.
That heavenly counterpart is worn by Jesus as He enters the second apartment and ministers in the heavenly sanctuary, with its engraved names glittering. After Christ's death, when the temple veil was torn, God's glory no longer shone upon the earthly breastplate stones and His disapproval no longer shadowed them. Its stones were of the same materials and kinds as those forming the twelve foundations of the city of God.
Sacred Dress and Unity
The ligure, agate, and amethyst of the third row belong to God's special, detailed directions to Moses about everything connected with His service. Those directions specified the dress of those who minister before Him, with a particular style suited to service in the holy place. The breastplate itself was a sacred object because it was used in God's appointed service, and the high priest alone was authorized to wear it when going before the Lord. The minuteness of the instructions for Aaron's robes shows that God cared about the clothing of those who served Him, and his dress was symbolic. God may be honored or dishonored by the apparel of those who officiate before Him, for He requires order in everything and especially cleanliness. Sacred service was to be carried out with order, cleanliness, and reverence, so that the people would recognize His holiness and the sacredness of His work.
Those who serve before God must therefore be careful and exact in their appearance. As Aaron's dress was symbolic, so the dress of Christ's followers should likewise represent Him. Each stone in the breastplate had its own light and significance, contributing to the beauty, meaning, and message of the whole. The many distinct stones thus illustrate how people with distinct characteristics and different ways of expressing truth can belong to one united family.