Exodus 28:21
And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes. And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
God directed that the high priest's breastplate carry twelve precious stones set in gold, each engraved like a signet with the name of one tribe so that together they bore all Israel over his heart. Through those stones He gave direct guidance when leaders inquired of Him over judgment and battle, with brilliant light resting on the right stone to grant favor and a shadowing cloud settling on the left stone to withhold it. That earthly means of answer ceased at Christ's death, when the veil was torn and God's presence no longer overshadowed the earthly mercy seat. In heaven Jesus as High Priest still bears His people upon His breastplate while wearing the name of God upon His brow, exalted above Moses and angels yet joined to humanity to make believers partakers of the divine nature. The twelve differing stones forming one breastplate show that distinct persons with their own light and gifts belong together as one family without contradiction.
Breastplate and Its Stones
The breastplate bore twelve precious stones set in gold, each stone engraved like the engraving of a signet with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, so that together the stones represented all the tribes, each name matched to its tribe. The same imagery is reflected in the heavenly sanctuary, where Jesus as He enters the second apartment wears a glittering breastplate with letters that look like names engraved upon it. The breastplate covered the priest's chest and was suspended from his shoulders.
The verse belongs to God's detailed, specific directions to Moses for Aaron's garments and for everything connected with His service, prescribing the dress of those to minister before Him in the holy place in sacred office. God may be honored or dishonored by the apparel of those who officiate before Him, and He requires order in everything and especially cleanliness, so these specific instructions for sacred garments show the care and order required in approaching Him. The high priest's clothing was carefully specified and symbolical, and likewise the dress of Christ's followers should represent Christ. The description of the breastplate bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes on precious stones was also associated with receiving messages from God.
The ephod and breastplate of judgment were not sacred in themselves, for their sacred use depended on God's directions. Only the high priest was authorized to wear them when coming before the Lord. That pattern was later imitated by Gideon when he made an ephod and breastplate of judgment according to the instructions for the high priest's breastplate.
Guidance Through the Stones
The breastplate bearing the names of Israel's twelve tribes on precious stones was the appointed means for receiving messages from God. When judges faced difficult matters they could not decide, and when the question was going to battle, the priests inquired of God through it.
Two larger stones set at its right and left shone with great brilliancy to convey His answer. A halo of light and glory resting on the precious stone at the right, with flashing light, meant favor and success, saying Go and prosper. A vapor or cloud settling on and shadowing the precious stone at the left meant disapproval, saying Thou shalt not go and thou shalt not prosper.
At Christ's death the sacred service of the earthly sanctuary ended. The veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom, and the most holy place entered only once a year was exposed to common gaze. God's presence no longer overshadowed the earthly mercy-seat, and the light of His glory no longer shone with flashing light upon the breastplate's precious stones nor shadowed them with the cloud of disapproval.
Christ and His People
The pattern of the earthly breastplate is seen in heaven, for as Jesus enters the second apartment He wears a glittering breastplate bearing letters that look like names engraved upon it. As High Priest He bears the name of Israel on His breastplate while bearing the name of Jehovah upon His mitre. As the Son of God over His own house He is higher than Moses and higher than the highest angel. He was the invisible Leader of Israel who followed the people in their wilderness wandering enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, as the Angel of the covenant coming in the name of God. He took humanity that humanity might touch humanity, and in the form of man humbled Himself and became a servant, yet as the Son of God He was higher than the angels, so that by His life in humanity man may become a partaker of the divine nature. As the Majesty of heaven exalted above the angels He carries with Him in His work of redemption all who have received Him and believed on His name.
Each of the twelve stones had its own light and significance and its own message, and their differing qualities contributed to the beauty and meaning of the whole. Together the distinct stones formed one breastplate. This shows how people with distinct characteristics and different ways of expressing truth can belong together as one family without contradiction.
God gave special directions about everything connected with His service, specifying the dress of those to minister before Him in sacred office in the holy place. He may be honored or dishonored by the apparel of those who officiate before Him. He requires order in everything and especially cleanliness, and His specific instructions for sacred garments show the care and order required in approaching Him. The high priest's clothing was carefully specified and symbolical, and likewise the dress of Christ's followers should represent Christ.