The Breastplate

The same precious and comforting truths are brought before us in the breastplate, where again the names were engraven on precious stones (Ex. 28:22-30). But in the breastplate, each name had its separate stone, while on the onyx stones, six names were on one, and six on another, as we have seen. Also the names were placed in an altogether different order. On the onyx stones each came in the order of birth, the first six were placed on the right shoulder, the other six on the left shoulder, each name being that of a son of Jacob. On the breastplate the two sons of Joseph are found, and Levi, devoted to the service of the sanctuary, was omitted. The arrangement of the twelve on the breastplate was according to the arrangement of the tribes about the camp. Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon were placed on the east side at the front of the tabernacle. They formed the advance guard, being the first to set forth when the tabernacle was taken down. Reuben, Simeon, and Gad were on the south side, and they set forth in the second rank. Then came the tabernacle borne by the Levites; next came Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin from the west side; they set forth in the third rank. Dan, Asher, and Naphtali brought up the rear. In this order the names were placed on the breastplate. Each name there had its own peculiar precious stone, and each its own peculiar place. So it is with those who compose the Church of God. Each has his own place, and each is marked by some special Christ-like trait, as love, faith, courage, hope, patience, endurance, gentleness, humility, absence of self, and so on. These beauties of character are seen in different ways and in different measures, even as in the stones: “The gorgeous color of the ruby stone shone out from one; the soft refreshing green of the emerald was visible in another; the brilliant light of the diamond flashed out from a third; and the heavenly azure of the sapphire was displayed in a fourth.” Whatever is seen of Christ in the Christian is a joy and beauty to those who behold. It is the light that brings out these beauties.
The breastplate was worn over the heart, the seat of the affections. Deep, sweet comfort is given to the saints of God in this wonderful picture. They are precious to Christ; their names are engraven on His heart, and they are firmly held in this place of affection; they are borne along in all the power of the Omnipotent. Everlasting love and everlasting power are thus combined in their behalf. What more could be asked — What more desired?