February 21
“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles
of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:14).
Here we have a vision of the wall of the Holy City, which have twelve foundations, on which
the names of the twelve Apostles are written. These precious stones speak of the strong
Apostolic foundation on which we are built (Eph. 2:19-22). Now the Apostles were only
ordinary men, they were men of like passions as we are, yet they were made strong by God.
We know what kind of a man Simon Peter was, yet, in spite of his failure; he became God’s
precious stone.
How did Simon Peter become a precious stone? That name ‘Peter’ means just an ordinary
rough stone, but the same rough stone became in the end a very precious, shinning
foundation stone. “The first foundation was Jasper (Rev. 21:19). Peter, the rough stone is
now linked to a shining, bright, beautiful, precious Jasper stone. How did he become like that?
Precious stones have to go through extreme heat under the ground to become so brilliant.
God asks us to believe in His perfect will and to allow the trials He may send to work His will
in us. That is how He can make of us shining stones. If we allow the light and truth of God to
work in us, we shall become like precious stones drawn close to the heart of God, to enjoy
His full love and affection.
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Twelve names of the tribes | February 19
“Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate” (Exodus 25:7).
Firstly, Aaron wore a white coat, over that a blue robe, and thirdly the ephod. The ephod was
made of fine twined linen, embroidered with blue and purple, scarlet and gold (ch.28:6-8).
On the shoulder of the ephod were two onyx stones or “stones of memorial unto the children
of Israel”. They were engraved with the twelve names of the tribes, and, we are told, “Aaron
shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders” (verses 9-12).
This tells us that our Lord carries us upon His shoulders. Let the Lord Jesus carry your burdens.
Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you (1 Pet. 5:7). When you learn that lesson,
and let the Lord carry your burden, you will enjoy His perfect rest and peace.
Over the ephod was the breastplate of embroidered linen with its chains and ouches of gold.
Upon the breastplate were twelve stones, upon which also were the twelve names of the
twelve tribes (Verse 15-21). These twelve stones were very near the heart of the High Priest.
Wherever he went the stones went with him and by them God reminds His people that He
wants them to be very close to His heart.