Exodus 28:28-30
And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.
And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
Hebrews 3:1-6
Wherefore, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who has built the house has more honor than the house.
For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God.
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
John 15:4
Abide in me, and I in you.
The two major features of the Ephod that Exodus 28 describes are, First, the twelve jewel stones on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (God’s People) in four rows of three stones each, like the four points of the compass of the tribal camps that dwelt beside the Tabernacle on all sides; and Second, the Urim and Thummim upon the heart of Aaron the High Priest. These two features depict the most-holy truth that God’s People are perpetually upon his heart in remembrance by means of the High Priest whom He has appointed to bear their judgment upon his intercessory breast forever. The Urim (Lights) and the Thummim (Perfections) were the voice of God to the High Priest by means of a mystical communication system. Through the Urim and Thummim the direct guidance of God to the High Priest was continually ministered to him as he in turn led the Tribes of the LORD through their journey in this world.
The passage in Hebrews 3 demonstrates the Melchizedekian High Priesthood of our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah. As Moses was faithful in the LORD’S House as a servant, so Christ is faithful in the Father’s House as a Son. Yeshua’s position is elevated to an Eternal state: this is the primal significance of the Ascension.
The passage in John 15 emphasizes the singular point that we abide in Messiah and He abides in us. This abiding is by our faithful confession through the Holy Spirit and by his faithfulness to His Promise.
Never forget that you are continually upon the Heart of our Great High Priest and Mediator before the Father, Christ Jesus! And the indwelling Light and Perfection of His Blessed Holy Spirit guides us into all truth as we journey through the world on our way to the Heavenly Jerusalem!*
[*John 12-17]
