Daily Devotions
Exodus
"For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins." Hebrews 5:1
Text: Exodus 28 : 17-25
MEMORIAL STONES
The ephod had a set of onyx stones with the names of all the tribes of Israel written on them. These were called “memorial stones” (Exodus 28:12).
ANOTHER SET OF STONES
Another set of stones were to be put on the breastplate of judgment. The following text describes these stones.
“And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones:
The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald…
The second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;
the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.
They shall be set in gold settings.”
EXODUS 28:17-20
This set of stones were to be set in gold and put on the breastplate. That would make the breastplate of judgment really beautiful!
THE NAMES OF THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL INSCRIBED ON THE STONES
These stones represented the tribes of Israel. This would now be the second time the names of the tribes would be written down on stones.
“And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel,
twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet,
each one with its own name; they shall be according to the
twelve tribes.”
EXODUS 28:21
THE BREASTPLATE TO BE WORN OVER THE EPHOD
The following text describes how the breastplate was to be worn over the ephod.
“You shall make chains for the breastplate at the end,
like braided cords of pure gold. And you shall make two rings
of gold for the breastplate, and put the two rings on the two ends
of the breastplate. Then you shall put the two braided chains
of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate;
and the other two ends of the two braided chains you shall fasten
to the two settings and put them on the shoulder straps of
the ephod in the front.”
EXODUS 28:22-25
Obviously, these instructions were given in great detail because the breastplate of judgment would play a significant part in the high priest’s ministry!
On-lookers would gasp at these beautiful garments that the high priest wore! Were these garments too elaborate? Were they too costly to make? It is not for us to make such statements! These instructions came from the Lord Himself!