Exodus 28:21

Names of the children of Israel. That is, according to the names of the children of Israel, meaning the 12 tribes. “With his name” should read “according to its name.” Each stone would have on it the name of one of the 12 tribes. These names engraved on the 12 jewels aptly illustrate the value of men and women in the sight of our heavenly Father. God regards His people as precious gems in the jewel box of His love (Malachi 3:17). He thinks of His church as a bride adorned “with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). She is His “peculiar treasure” (Exodus 19:5).

In the Revelation the “twelve gates” and the “twelve foundations” of the wall of the New Jerusalem are precious stones, on which are “the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel” and “the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” respectively (Revelation 21:12, 14). The fact that each of the 12 tribes was represented by a gem of its own, different from the others, suggests that every individual Christian has his own distinct personality, his own beauty in Heaven’s sight. God does not expect us to be alike. He honors us for what we are and what we can do for Him. There may be differences in experience and ability, “diversities of gifts,” but there is ever manifest “the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Each name on a separate jewel also suggests that God thinks of His people as distinct individuals, known, loved, and cared for by Him (Psalm 87:5, 6; Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 25:40, 45; Luke 15:3-10).

The attention given in this chapter to minute details speaks encouragement to those who may feel that they are not doing any great work for God. Without the delicate beauty of detail there would be no appropriate background for the more conspicuous and seemingly more important things. Without the former the latter would not have been able to function. Let us not despise the “small things” (Zechariah 4:10), the small services rendered in love. Though it be but a “cup of cold water” to “one of these little ones,” we “shall in no wise lose” our “reward” (Matthew 10:42).