Exodus 39:6-21: a reflection

6They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel. 7He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as the LORD commanded Moses. 8He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its width a span, being double. 10They set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row; 11and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 12and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings. 14The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, for the twelve tribes. 15They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 16They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 17They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 18The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front. 19They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of the ephod inward. 20They made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 21They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Among the garments made for the high priest was a breastplate set with twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel; and this breastplate the high priest wore over his heart when he went before the LORD. The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, to be borne on the high priest's heart as he ministered before God. When the high priest entered God's presence, he carried the names of all the people over his heart, bearing them before God, so that they were remembered, represented, held close as he came before the LORD on their behalf. The people were carried on the heart of the high priest into God's presence, named and remembered. And this pointed forward to Christ, our great high priest, who carries his people on his heart before God, holding us close, naming us, remembering us as he intercedes for us. We are borne on the heart of our high priest into the presence of God.

Notice what the high priest carried into God's presence: the names of the people, over his heart. The twelve stones, each engraved with a tribe's name, were set in the breastplate he wore on his heart before God. When he came before the LORD, he did not come alone or forget the people; he bore their names on his heart, carrying them into God's presence, holding them close, representing them before God. The people were remembered, named, carried on the heart of the one who ministered for them. And all of this pointed to Christ, our great high priest, who bears his people on his heart before God. He does not forget us or leave us behind when he comes before the Father; he carries us on his heart, names us, holds us close, represents us. We are borne on the heart of Christ into the presence of God, remembered and held close. To be one of Christ's people is to be carried on his heart before God, named and not forgotten. Our high priest bears us on his heart.

That is worth resting in, for Christ, our great high priest, carries us on his heart before God, named and remembered. We can feel that when we come before God, or when we cannot come, we are alone, unrepresented, easily forgotten; but as the high priest bore the names of the people on his heart before God, so Christ carries his people on his heart, holding us close, naming us, remembering us before the Father. We are not forgotten or left behind; we are borne on the heart of our high priest into God's presence. When you feel forgotten or unrepresented before God, remember that Christ carries you on his heart, as the high priest bore the people's names. Rest in the truth that Christ, our great high priest, carries us on his heart before God, named and remembered, as the high priest bore the twelve stones engraved with the tribes' names on his heart when he went before the LORD; for we do not come before God alone or unrepresented, but are borne on the heart of Christ, who holds us close, names us, and remembers us as he intercedes for us, so that we are never forgotten or left behind before the Father.

Lord, among the garments made for the high priest was a breastplate set with twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel; and this breastplate the high priest wore over his heart when he went before you. The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, to be borne on the high priest's heart as he ministered before you. When the high priest entered your presence, he carried the names of all the people over his heart, bearing them before you, so that they were remembered, represented, held close. And this pointed forward to Christ, our great high priest, who carries his people on his heart before you. Show me what the high priest carried into your presence: the names of the people, over his heart. The twelve stones, each engraved with a tribe's name, were set in the breastplate he wore on his heart. When he came before you, he did not forget the people; he bore their names on his heart, holding them close, representing them. And all of this pointed to Christ, who bears his people on his heart before you. He does not forget us or leave us behind when he comes before you; he carries us on his heart, names us, holds us close. Let me rest in that, for Christ, our great high priest, carries me on his heart before you, named and remembered. I can feel that when I come before you, or when I cannot come, I am alone, unrepresented, easily forgotten; but as the high priest bore the names of the people on his heart, so Christ carries his people on his heart. I am not forgotten or left behind. When I feel forgotten or unrepresented before you, help me remember that Christ carries me on his heart, Lord, as the high priest bore the people's names before you, so that I am never left behind.