Exodus 28:8-108And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: 10Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. (Exodus 28:8‑10)
“AND THE curious girdle of the ephod, shall be of the same... even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.”
The girdle was of the same beautiful materials as the ephod itself. Used to bind the ephod on the high priest, in it we get the thought of service. A beautiful example of this is found in the words of the Lord Himself in Luke 12:3737Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37): “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh, shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that He shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth to serve them.”
Love delights to serve, and so the Lord Jesus, our High Priest, never ceases to serve us. The love that led Him to suffer those agonies of the cross and give His life for us, now leads Him to live and make intercession for us on high. He thinks of His own all the while we are down here in this world; He is conscious of all our weaknesses and pleads before the Father for us. When we grow cold and wander away, He goes after us and restores us in all the tender love of a divine Shepherd.
He is concerned in all that concerns us, and cares for and encourages us. Moses’ hands grew weary and had to be stayed by Aaron and Hur, but our blessed High Priest never grows weary in His love and service for His own. Not only has He stooped so low in order to lift us and bring us into such a place favor and blessing, but in unceasing love He is maintaining us there. Is not the wonder of all wonders that He should so love and serve such poor unworthy things. Surely that should lead us out in more unwearied service and love to Him and one another.
Next came the two onyx stones es which were engraved the names of the children of Israel — six names on each. Then these stones were set in gold and placed on the shoulders of the ephod; and “Aaron shall be their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial.”
The onyx stones were precious stones and speak of the beauties and excellencies of Christ, so the names of His people are carried on the shoulders of their High Priest in all His beauty and excellency. Then the gold tells of how they are set there in divine righteousness.
The names were “according to their birth.” There was no special place of favor for some — all were there. And so with the redeemed of the Lord now. When seen with reference to their being “born of God,” there is no difference. Each is as precious as the other.
ML-09/13/1970