Shouldering the Weight of the People
Exodus 39:6-7 (ESV)
6 They made the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold filigree, and engraved like the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the sons of Israel. 7 And he set them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod to be stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
The “ephod” was a garment that the priest would wear as they ministered before the Lord. It was significant in that it bore (on the shoulder positions of the garment) two “onyx” stones. Engraved on the stones were the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; six on one shoulder and six on the other. The picture here was the when the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies to offer a sacrifice to God, the Priest carried the weight of the sins of the people on his shoulders. He was there to represent them before God. Remember, the High Priests breastplate was worn over the top of the ephod. On the breastplate there were also rows of different types of stones, each representing the twelve tribes. The priest had the responsibility of bare the weight of the people as he ministered. This is significant because Christ became our High Priest and carried our sins on His shoulder. All the material and design of the Tabernacle was to point to the finish work of Christ. He shouldered the weight of our sin on His shoulder. Our names are ascribed in heaven as He carried our sins to the cross to have them paid for by the wrath of God. He shouldered our sin.
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