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!