Holy Garments Part II

The ephod of the High Priest had two shoulder pieces. On the two shoulder pieces were two onyx stones set in ouches of gold. The names of the twelve children of Israel were engraved in the two onyx stones six in each stone. The stones were stones of memorial unto the children of Israel and the high priest was to bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

It is obvious from the description in Exodus chapter 28 that the twelve names of the children of Israel were representative of all the nation of Israel. Twelve is used in the scripture as a representative number. For instance, the twelve princes of Israel represented the twelve tribes of Israel. In comparison our High Priest, Jesus Christ, represented the entire elect family of God and carried them upon his shoulders. The onyx stone is green in color. Green in the scripture is associated with life. Just as the names of the children of Israel were written in the two onyx stones which were green, so the names of the elect children of God are written in the Lamb's book of life (green) before the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:15) and it is Jesus who gives them life as stated in John 10:28, "And I give unto them eternal life..." Also Eph. 1:4 reads, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

Just as the stones were stones of memorial for the children of Israel, so are all the elect remembered of our God and High Priest. It is great assurance to the child of God that he is never and never will be forgotten of his God. Regardless of how long we may lay in a grave or our ashes scattered to the four winds, our God and High Priest will never forget us and will claim his jewels (children) in the morning of the resurrection.

Just as there were two onyx stones on the shoulders of the high priest so there are two folds that our High Priest carries upon his shoulder: John 10:16, "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and their shall be one fold, and one shepherd." Our High Priest has two folds: a Jewish fold and a Gentile fold. In Eph. 2:13 16 we read, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby..." Thus the two folds are made one in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Now the two stones were carried on the shoulders of the high priest indicating the carrying of a burden. Thankfully, we have a High Priest who carries our burdens. Unlike those in Is. 46:7 who carried their idols upon their shoulder, our God and High Priest carries us upon his shoulders. According to Is. 53:6, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Thus our High Priest Jesus Christ carried the burden of our sins and subsequent redemption from sin upon his shoulders.

As the Lord declared in John 6:37 39, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." Thus Jesus came to save his people from their sins (Matt 1:21). Furthermore, Jesus bears the burden of the government of the Lord's people: Is. 9:6, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder..."

The government of the kingdom of God and the government of our personal lives rest upon the shoulders of our High Priest. While we may choose to walk contrary to that government, we will suffer the chastisement of God because of it. According to the scripture every transgression and disobedience receives a just recompense of reward.

Christ's government is perfect. In addition, our High Priest carries the life's burden of his people upon his shoulders: Ps. 55:22, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." According to Rom. 8:34, "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Cares, burdens, concerns, problems, trials, tribulations, temptations, and afflictions are the lot of God's people while they travel their earthly pilgrimage.

It is comforting to know that we can carry such to God in prayer and know that Christ intercedes on our behalf and that he is our help and strength and deliverer.