Exodus 28:12; Exodus 39:7; Exodus 28:29
"And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod, for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial." Exodus 28:12. "And he put them (the onyx-stones) on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel, as the Lord commanded." Ex. 39:7. "And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually." Ex. 28:29.
Israel had one feast, to which this word " memorial" was peculiarly attached-the feast of the passover. " This day shall be unto you for a memorial: and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations: ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever." Ex. 12:14, and xiii 9. They had therefore two constant reasons for remembering the Lord-their deliverance from judgment and bondage in Egypt, by the blood of the paschal lamb; and their acceptance in the brilliancy and glory of precious stones before the Lord, on the shoulders of the high priest, where their names were engraved according to their birth; children of Israel; of him who as prince with God and with men, had power, and had prevailed.
There are two memorials to us, as believers, which should be constantly kept in remembrance-our redemption through the precious blood of the Lamb-redemption not only from wrath, but from this present evil world-and our standing before God as His children, upheld in His presence, in all the glory and beauty of His Son.
The names of the children of Israel, on the shoulder-stones and on the breastplate, were also borne as a memorial before the Lord. Aaron could not enter the holy place without reminding Jehovah of the love and perfection in which Israel stood accepted before Him, The sevenfold light of the candlestick in the holy place, and the light of God's glory from between the Cherubim, over the mercy-seat, in the holy of holies, caused: the precious stones to send forth their brilliancy and various beautiful tints, so as to attract the eyes of the Lord of Hosts. In like manner, we have a constant memorial before Him, in our great High Priest, who, presents us, in the fullness of His love and power, bright with His own glory; spotless in His own holiness; righteous, because He is our righteousness; and strong,. for He is our strength; emblazoned on the heart of love, and on the shoulders of power; shining forth with His own glory and beauty, as jewels adorning Him, from whom alone all our luster and perfection spring.
Continually. This word is especially connected with the show-bread, Ex. 25:30. "Thou shalt set upon the table show-bread before me alway, or continually." Lev. 24:8; Num. 4:7.
With the candlestick: " to cause the lamp to burn always, or continually." Ex. 27:20; Lev. 24:2,3,4.
With the incense, " a perpetual, or continual incense before the Lord." Ex. 30:8.
With the burnt-offering and the fire on the altar.
Ex. 29:38,42; Lev. 6:13; Num. 28:3,6. With the meat-offering. Lev. 6:20; Num. 4:16. With the golden plate on the forehead of the high priest. Ex. 28:38.
It tells us of the ceaseless presence of Christ before God for us. That He ever liveth to make intercession for us. That the efficacy of His sacrifice is perpetual; and that we, as believers, are ever presented in the fullness of His glory before God. Complete in Him. Accepted in the Beloved. His priestly ministrations on behalf of His people never fail. With unwearied faithfulness He continues with them and for them to the end of the world.