God's Precious Jewels

Part 4.
"His truth shall be thy shield."

It is remarkable how responsive to reasoning are the sacred types and symbols. They corroborate so beautifully the plain teachings of God's Word. This we especially observe with regard to the jewels on the breastplate of the High Priest. They testify of the elect, whose preparation has been secretly progressing during two millenniums. Extracted from the "dark seams of earth," they, after being shaped, polished and beautified, will scintillate the wisdom, power and lovingkindness of the glorious Omnipotent throughout the ages of eternity. True the words of the poet—

"Deep in unfathomable mines
 Of never failing skill,
 He treasures up His bright designs,
 And works His sovereign will."

Crystal‑Beryl.

We now come to the sixth stone of the Breastplate, yahalom, the crystal which has been translated diamond in the authorised version. While a true diamond is likewise transparent, yet there is a marked difference in the two substances. The modern diamond is of organic origin, while the crystal here indicated is a mineral, and was one time largely used in the manufacture of optical lenses.

The ancients supposed the transparent rock crystal to be ice, which had been congealed through intense cold (krustalloss=ice). To lend emphasis to this supposition, the mineral has been found in the clefts of granite rock, which rise to sharp peaks above the snowline, in the Alps. So clear, so ice‑like, were these prismatic crystals that they seemed fair enough to be considered frozen water. Howbeit, while it may well serve as a goodly reminder of water, yet its actual substance is silica or flint.

The word used in the New Testament, which stands for the same substance, is Beryl, one of the foundation‑stones of the New Jerusalem. The true Beryl has a pale greenish‑blue colour, and is composed of silica, with the addition of colouring matter. This resembles sea‑water, while the white rock crystal takes after the pure water from a brook.

In Rev.15:2 the saints are depicted as standing on "the sea of glass, having the harps of God." This pictures a possession of lucid truths, which make them happy and confident in the love of God at this awe‑inspiring time. Our Lord Jesus is truth personified—"I am the way, the truth and the life." For a striking symbolism we go to the wilderness of Sinai, where the Israelites wandered forty years. We read of One "who brought…forth water out of the rock of flint" (Deut.8:15). Modern research testifies that many of these rocks are composed of the same materials as the Rock Crystal under examination, and which formed one of the jewels of the Breastplate. St. Paul makes mention of the wilderness experience thus: "They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed (went with) them: and that Rock was Christ" (1 Cor.10:4). Thus is brought to light a stone which represents truth. The jewel class are made pure, holy and strong in the Lord through this very means.

Ligure.

The seventh stone was the Ligure (Heb.,Leshem), which appears to be the jacinth of the New Testament (Rev.21:20). Commentators vary so much with regard to its colour—red, blue, orange, purple, etc.—that we must needs look for other tokens to denote it's symbolic meaning.

It is distinguished from other gems on account of its possession of a strong double refraction after the order of the tourmaline. The optical properties of such crystals are of exceptional interest. A single ray of light is split up into two rays. If, for instance, the stone is placed on a single line, it will appear as two distinct lines. Thus the jewel class have their blessings doubled because they have pursued a righteous course under adverse circumstances.

The world of mankind will have their portion in the earth. A glorious portion indeed, for they will live for ever in perfect peace, health and happiness. The Little Flock will not only have peace, life and happiness, but they will be like God and possess immortality. Words are inadequate to express the inheritance awaiting the Church—"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor.2:9).

Agate.

The eighth stone was the Agate (Heb., sheboo). The stone is capable of a high and beautiful polish, and it is for this reason that it is so largely used for ornamentation. It is composed of sand, which has been subjected to the strange fierce heats of subterranean fires. During its formation, gases, chemicals and vapours enter into the substance, which result in agates of goodly variety and colour. There is the Moss Agate, Tree Agate, and Star Agate, besides those which are striped, banded and cloudy. Originally they were found by the River Achates in the volcanic region of Sicily. The word Accho means "heated sand."

Issachar's name appeared in the stone, and it is significant to note that Moses alludes to the tribe as "treasures hid in the sand," which so aptly fits the production of the agate (Deut.33:19).

The jewels all tell their story, and this one speaks of "treasure (hid) in earthen vessels" (2 Cor.4:7). It brings to light strange and extraordinary fiery experiences, which changes "sand into gems" of real worth. The world of mankind are likened to the sand by the sea shore (Gen.22:17). They themselves will not be called upon to undergo what the saints have undergone during their preparation for eternal life. The saints lose their identity as human beings in order to dwell with God. No wonder they are spoken of as jewels! They have endured much, and great is their reward in heaven.

Amethyst.

The ninth stone of the Breastplate is agreed by all as being the correctly named Amethyst. It has a beautiful violet colour due to a minute proportion of oxide of manganese. Violet or purple is a symbol of royalty. The colour is due to a mixture of blue and red, which means faithful unto death. When mocked by the soldiers, our Master was clad in the purple robe. He alone proved His worthiness as King of earth! Likewise the Royal Priesthood all share in that privilege. The message to each and all is, "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev.2:10).

The Greek word for amethyst is amethustos, which means "not to intoxicate." The ancients believed that wine from an amethyst cup would not inebriate. The stone is the colour of wine, and memory goes back to the Last Supper, when our Master passed the cup of wine to His disciples, saying, "Drink ye all of it." That cup represents the cup of experience, the cup of sorrow, the cup of joy, which each follower of our blessed Lord must drink. It is a cup which does not cause one to lose their senses as intoxication suggests, but it brings the spirit of a sound mind (2 Tim.1:7). This precious stone in the Breastplate indicates the honoured title and office of royalty for the overcomer (1 Peter 2:9).

Chrysolite.

The tenth stone has been mistranslated Beryl in the authorised version. The word comes from Tarshish, which most ancient historians translate Chrysolite. The word literally means gold‑stone. It is transparent, and when cut and polished, reminds one of a yellow diamond.

Gold represents things Divine, and the additional thought of transparency suggests an understanding of spiritual truths resulting in Heavenly Wisdom. This is wonderfully borne out in several of the visions observed by the prophet Ezekiel. Cherubic forms surrounded by wheels—wheels within wheels, in appearance like unto a chrysolite (Ezek.1:16; 10:9). The wisdom from above is always manifold in character. It takes in all things and works harmoniously like the wheels of an intricate watch (Eph.3:10.11, Diag.).

It will be noted that there is a similarity between the topaz and chrysolite in appearance. The distinguishing difference, as before indicated, is the electrical energy of the topaz. Divine Love and Divine Wisdom, as revealed in the Scriptures, bears a striking relationship. One is impossible without the other (1 Cor.13; Gal.5:22.23; James 3:17). Divine Love has this difference: it is warm, fervent and extremely pleasant in its drawing power. It is the sum‑total of God's character—"For God is love." This is aptly illustrated by the inherent electrical energy of the topaz. Divine Wisdom, on the other hand, is calm and reflective. It must needs take all things in consideration, and will even govern love's warm affection—"The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way" (Prov.8:22). How marvellously appropriate to portray this by the tranquil Chrysolite, which compares so well in appearance with the Topaz.

Onyx.

The eleventh stone was the Onyx. There were also a pair which adorned the shoulders of the High Priest (Exodus 28:9‑14). The onyx is a striped stone which may be white, black and red. The ruddy variety is usually termed the sardonyx, owing to its appearance of flesh and blood. It has always been much valued for cameo engravings. The layers appear like separate stones, though actually and absolutely they are one.

They represent the basic truths which, while distinct from each other, are nevertheless inseparable. Wonderfully, therefore, does the onyx proclaim the taking away of the sin of the world (black) through the blood of Christ, (red). Thus all peoples of the earth will become pure, holy and righteous, as shown by the emblem of white (Rev.20:11,12). Thus God's precious jewels will have the privilege of restoring mankind to original perfection (Rev.21:19,20; Psalm 145).

FL