REMEMBRANCE

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Wisdom is like gold ore in the ground mixed with sand and rock; Logic is the mercury used to extract the gold.

STONES of REMEMBRANCE
"Take two lazuli stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel: Six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. On the two stones you shall make seal engravings - the work of a lapidary - of the names of the sons of Israel. Having bordered them with frames of gold, attach the two stones to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, as Stones for Remembrance of the Israelite people, whose names Aaron shall carry upon his two shoulder-pieces for remembrance before the LORD." [Exodus (Shemot) 28. 9 - 12 Tanakh, Torah]

Just as the stones were secured on the shoulders of the High Priest, Messiah Jesus bears those He has redeemed upon His shoulders [Isaiah/Yeshayah 9. 6] which is the place of courage and strength. He promises, "I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with My victorious right hand." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 41. 10 Tanakh, Nevi'im] The ministry of New Covenant priests is to bear one another's burdens [Galatians 6. 2] - the strong bearing the infirmities of the weak. [Romans 15. 1] We are commanded to pray for one another and to strengthen one another in the LORD. [Luke 22. 32; James 5. 16]

Not only does the shoulder signify "courage" and "strength" but it is the place representing leadership of government and is in open or public view. Messiah Jesus leads His people, they are Divinely governed; His ministry is to His people, open and public.

There was a certain arrangement and a certain stone to be placed on the High Priest's shoulders. Six names of the sons of Israel were engraved in an onyx (lazuli) stone on one shoulder, and six names of the sons of Israel were engraved in another onyx (lazuli) stone on the other "according to birth. "

The names are associated with the stones as a very part of them for they were engraved permanently there. Each of the names had the same kind of stone . . . no difference. Each of us who are sons of the Holy GOD, born into GOD's Kingdom of Priests, are the same; we are equally recognized in Messiah Jesus according to our NEW BIRTH. We are each engraved on the same kind of stone, encased in gold, brilliant, flashing with the luster of the fiery Holy Spirit, lifted high upon the shoulders of our great High Priest, borne up above the earthly ties and boundaries to a place in the heavenlies! There is a precious truth told in the meaning of these names. {We will draw attention to just the first and last names, which are all-inclusive.}

"According to birth" tells us that since Reuben was the firstborn of Israel (Jacob), his name engraved first in order on the shoulder stone. "REUBEN" means "behold (see) a son." This directs our attention to the Greater SON, our Lord Yeshua ha'Mashiach. The angels announced His birth in Beit'Lehem; the prophet Isaiah declared of Him, "A Child is born, a SON is given." The Almighty One informed the disciples concerning CHRIST, "This is My Beloved SON, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" [Matthew 17. 5] And who of GOD's people can forget that most precious verse, "GOD so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten SON." [John 3. 16] "REUBEN! Behold, a SON!"

The last name on the shoulder stones was Benjamin. Remember the story of his birth? Rachel, because she was dying, named him "Benoni" -- "son of my sorrow." But Jacob (Israel) named him "Benjamin" - "son of my right hand." Jesus was born into this world and fulfilled the first name, Benoni, for HE was a MAN of sorrows, acquainted with grief. HE was despised and rejected of men; HE suffered, bled and died, the SON of Sorrow. Benjamin was the only son named by his father, Israel. "Son of my right hand" signifies an exalted and honoured place - in an equal position. The Lord Yeshua gave His life (One Sacrifice for sins forever) and is seated at the right hand of GOD Eternal in an exalted, honoured place. The Heavenly Father says of Jesus, "BENJAMIN! SON of MY RIGHT HAND!"

Through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, we are born of the Most High & Lofty One and given the right to be the sons of GOD. The GREATER SON, our Messiah & Lord, rejoices in the presence of the angels when a sinner receives Him. And, it is as though all heaven rejoices with Him when they see this take place. Now it can be said of this sinner, "Reuben! Behold, a son!"

After this new birth, there is joy and yet there is sorrow for the dying soul of men as we enter into "the fellowship of His sufferings." But, if we suffer with our Wonderful Redeeming Lord, we shall also reign with Him in glory. We can only wear the "golden crown" at last IF we were able to wear the "thorny one" first. As sons in the SON will be exalted to the position that He promised, "He that endures to the END shall receive a Crown of Life." [James 1. 12] "To him that overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne." [Revelation 3. 21] Then, in that day the LORD OF HOST will say to us, "Benjamin! Son of My right hand!"