Exodus 28:15-30
Over the ephod, on the front, a breast plate, something like a shirt front, was firmly attached. Twelve precious stones were set in it according to the names of the tribes which were thus continually on the heart of Aaron (v. 30) – a touching image of the place which we, who are the well-beloved of the Lord, occupy. We are on His mighty shoulders, but also on His heart, objects of His unceasing tender care (cf. John 13:23).
"Continually" is a word to underline in this chapter (end of vv. 29, 30, 38). We see from the picture we have in these stones, fixed and immovable as they were, that nothing can separate the Lord’s own from His great power (cf. John 10:28) nor from His love (Romans 8:35).
The stones were all different, each one reflecting in its own way the light coming from the same candlestick. But all were precious. And just so, those who are saved are different from one another, each one reflecting some moral feature of Jesus. And each one is precious to the heart of the One who sustains him. When we are on the point of criticising another Christian, let us remember that the Lord loves him. Finally, in order that all these jewels, or let us rather say all these believers, may fully reflect the light of the sanctuary, they need to be cut and polished; this is the patient work of the Holy Spirit.