Israel’s

high priest was to wear special garments glittering with engraved

precious stones. These garments gave Aaron dignity and honor,

pointing to Jesus, our ultimate High Priest.

The

breastpiece included 12 precious stones, each engraved with the name

of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. The instructions for using the

garments say, “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear

the names of the sons of Israel over his heart . . . as a

continuing memorial before the Lord.”

The

variety of hues and colors in the stones representing the whole

people of God helps us recognize the diversity of all peoples who are

now part of God’s family in Christ. We are all precious in his

sight.

In

Isaiah 54:11-13 God speaks of the redeemed this way: “Afflicted

city . . . I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise,

your foundations with lapis lazuli. I will make your battlements of

rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of

precious stones. All your children will be taught by the Lord, and

great will be their peace.” And in a vision of heaven in Revelation

7:9 we see a multitude “from every nation, tribe, people, and

language, standing before the throne [of God] and before the Lamb.”

Will

you be there too? God wants his people from all nations to live with

him in peace and abundance forever!