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God's Precious Jewels
Part 3.
Referring to His future spiritual new Jerusalem, the Lord has stated, "Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires" (Isaiah 54:11). The differing stones of the Breastplate indicate that pleasing variation existing among the members of the little flock. Variations are apparent everywhere in creation. Even the designs noted in snowflakes, when magnified, reveal a marvellous difference one to another, though all are perfect in geometrical arrangement. This lends an unending charm and interest to the universe, and portrays the mind of the Omnipotent illumined with sublime greatness and grandeur. "All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD"! (Psalm 145:10). The differing stones are due to differing materials and processes of formation. The elect are not all called upon to pass through precisely the same experiences. It is a trial of faith, but those trials vary according to the make‑up of the individual. Nevertheless there is a relationship which the apostle likens to the members of a human body (1 Cor.12). They co‑ordinate, and are perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Following the ruby, there were other stones as follows:‑
There is no reason to think otherwise, but that the Topaz has been correctly named as the second in the Breastplate. The finest oriental gems remind one of the sun. Strabo describes it as transparent and shining with a golden light. Ruskin speaks of it as "symbolic of the sun, like a strong man running his race rejoicing, standing between light and darkness and representing all good work." Its symbolism is heightened as we learn that the topaz is strongly electrical in its nature, whether created by heat or by friction. This distinguishes it from other stones bearing a similar appearance. With our attention turned to the sun, we fleetingly remember the sun‑worshippers who looked to the object rather than the living and intelligent source of creation. While fully admitting the marvellous potentialities of the burning orb, and realising that, if the earth was suddenly deprived of its influence, everything breathing would cease to exist, yet we view it merely in the light of symbolism—"(Our) God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psa.84:11).The intrinsic magnetic powers of the topaz suggest the attraction which God's precious jewels possess for Himself. Even among the jewel class there are some who more expressly manifest an intense desire to be like Him (1 John 3:2). In the words of the beautiful hymn they sing fervently and prayerfully— Sun of mv soul, my Father dear, I know no night when Thou art near. O! may no earth‑born cloud arise To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes.
The third stone of the Breastplate was the Carbuncle. This is noted for its deep purplish‑red colour mingled with scarlet. The word carbuncle signifies "burning coal," given on account of its fiery appearance. The Hebrew word Bareketh means "flashing," and is derived from barak, "lightning." Its Greek equivalent is keraunos, which means "thunder‑stone." It is positively electric by friction, and affects the magnetic needle. From its general description it brings to mind the fiery judgment of the Lord, which burns against all injustice and unrighteousness: "The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave His voice; hail stones and coals of fire…He shot out lightnings, and discomfited them "(Psalm 18:13,14). God is tender, gracious and merciful! His lovingkindness is a precious thing to experience! IF—how much is implied by that little word!—one is pursuing an evil course, then, sooner or later, he will meet with the fiery indignation of the Most High—for "our God is a consuming fire" (Heb.12:29). Our glorified Lord Jesus, the Representative of the Father, is in possession of this same disposition. He is the "Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth...make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire" (Rev.19:11,12). The saints of God partake of this same spirit. In evidence, we recall Peter, James and John, whom our Lord called Boanerges, meaning "The sons of thunder." Under the direction of their Captain they will bring to ashes those things which are in the way of the glorious kingdom of peace. This means the complete overthrow of sin and all unrighteousness.
The fourth stone was the Emerald, the beautiful grass‑green which is well known. It was at one time supposed that the colour was due to a mineral oxide, but an authority gives, as his conviction, that it is produced by an organic substance termed Chlorophyll. In support of this thought, the stone loses its colour when subjected to heat, while those tinted by mineral oxides remain unaffected. The remarkable thing is that chlorophyll is the life‑giving green sap of plants, and for this reason it becomes a striking emblem of eternal life. The emerald is indeed a wonderful symbol, for, unlike the green leaf which fades through time and exposure, it tenaciously holds its life‑giving product in possession. Our Master said, "For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself" (John 5:26). Graciously He promises life to all who put their faith in Him. Hence the rainbow surrounding the glorified Redeemer is "in sight like unto an emerald" (Rev.4:3). God's precious jewels are promised life‑inherent, Divine Nature! Stupendously great will be their reward! (2 Peter 1:4). For this reason the emerald was placed among the jewels as a symbolism to encourage and stimulate the Lord's own. It is recorded that there is now at the Vatican an emerald bearing the presumed true likeness of our Lord. We are informed that it was engraved by the order of Pontius Pilate, who presented it to Tiberius Caesar. If this be so, then this jewel becomes a most appropriate emblem of our Lord's present nature of immortality. The story is told that the Czar of Russia gave his wife on her birthday, November 26th.1887*, a necklace of forty large emeralds. For nine months his agents had been secretly travelling over the whole continent seeking the most precious of stones. When the Czarina received it she danced around the room with supreme delight. It was indeed a royal present, and a worthy one where love desires to be ever green! What a day of rejoicing it will be when the King of the Universe will present to His dear Son and Heir, His jewels! That will also be the birthday of birthdays for the "church of the firstborn, which (whose names) are written in heaven" (Heb.12:23).
The Sapphire, with its beautiful sky‑blue colour, was the fifth stone. The Hebrew sappir makes its identity certain, for almost every language has a similar word to describe it. Its hardness is equal to that of a ruby, and nearly approaches that of a diamond. It has always been considered valuable, and was most highly prized by the ancient inhabitants of the East. The heavenly blue of the sapphire reminds us of God and the unchanging laws which govern the universe. The eternal safety of all things depend upon Divine faithfulness in maintaining those vast and intricate movements. The sapphire, therefore, becomes an emblem of faithfulness: "Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds," "Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens" (Psalms 36:5; 89:2). For this reason blue has a very prominent place in sacred colours. The high priest had a blue robe underneath his ephod, and the breastplate was fixed by a blue lace (Exodus 28:28,31). When the sacred furnishments of the tabernacle were moved, they were covered with a cloth of blue to remind the Israelites of their need of faithfully fulfilling the Divine requirements with respect to these (Num.4:5‑12). The sky‑blue of the sapphire amply illustrates this same truth, "Behold I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires." Hence, "faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thess.5:24). The faithfulness of the glorified Christ is beautifully portrayed in Ezekiel 1:26, "And above the firmament...was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and…the likeness as the appearance of a man upon it." The sapphire of the Breastplate indicates the faithfulness of God's precious jewels in the performance of their vows of sacrifice. It also suggests some who particularly shine in their one desire to be true to God, who is worthy of the first place in all things. Thus "blue meets blue",—in other words, God's own faithfulness inspires a similar faithfulness in the souls of His beloved. FL |
