Exo 28:17-21 | KingComments | STEP | On the ephod “a breastpiece” is visible. On this breastpiece are four rows of three precious stones placed and inlaid in gold, in total twelve stones. Each stone represents a tribe. Aaron must carry them on his heart and thus bring the whole people before the LORD for a memorial. The breastpiece must be inextricably linked to the ephod with gold chains and rings. The Urim and the Thummim must be placed in the breastpiece. By this God will make His decision clear to questions of His people. The breastpiece is placed on the heart of Aaron. The heart is the place of love. On the stones that are put on the shoulders are the names of two groups of six tribes. That places more emphasis on the whole people of God. On the breastpiece there is a place for each tribe separately. Thus each individual believer has his own place in the heart of the Lord Jesus. Every believer is a unique precious stone with its own glory and radiance. It speaks of the preciousness that every believer has for the heart of the Lord Jesus: “Since you are precious in My sight, [since] you are honored and I love you” ( ). He also knows each of his own by name, which also means that they are his property: “I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are Mine!” ( ). We can also apply a tribe to a local church. In the New Testament letters, we see that each local church has its own radiance for the Lord Jesus. The heart of the Lord Jesus desires that it is made visible. That is why the letter addressed to each local church speaks about what prevents this radiance. The breastpiece also contains the Urim and the Thummim. With personal and collective problems we can turn to the Lord Jesus. The decision which He brings forward comes from His heart. If we think about that, it will make us accept the decisions, also the ones we think are unpleasant, as proof of His love.

‏ Exodus 28:17-21

The Breastpiece

On the ephod “a breastpiece” is visible. On this breastpiece are four rows of three precious stones placed and inlaid in gold, in total twelve stones. Each stone represents a tribe. Aaron must carry them on his heart and thus bring the whole people before the LORD for a memorial. The breastpiece must be inextricably linked to the ephod with gold chains and rings. The Urim and the Thummim must be placed in the breastpiece. By this God will make His decision clear to questions of His people.

The breastpiece is placed on the heart of Aaron. The heart is the place of love. On the stones that are put on the shoulders are the names of two groups of six tribes. That places more emphasis on the whole people of God. On the breastpiece there is a place for each tribe separately. Thus each individual believer has his own place in the heart of the Lord Jesus.

Every believer is a unique precious stone with its own glory and radiance. It speaks of the preciousness that every believer has for the heart of the Lord Jesus: “Since you are precious in My sight, [since] you are honored and I love you” (Isa 43:4a). He also knows each of his own by name, which also means that they are his property: “I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are Mine!” (Isa 43:1b).

We can also apply a tribe to a local church. In the New Testament letters, we see that each local church has its own radiance for the Lord Jesus. The heart of the Lord Jesus desires that it is made visible. That is why the letter addressed to each local church speaks about what prevents this radiance.

The breastpiece also contains the Urim and the Thummim. With personal and collective problems we can turn to the Lord Jesus. The decision which He brings forward comes from His heart. If we think about that, it will make us accept the decisions, also the ones we think are unpleasant, as proof of His love.