How does Exodus 28:9 illustrate the importance of remembrance in worship? Verse at a Glance “Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel.” (Exodus 28:9) Setting the Scene: The High Priest’s Ephod - God instructs Moses to outfit Aaron with sacred garments for ministering in the tabernacle (Exodus 28:1–5). - Central to the ephod are two polished onyx stones, mounted on the priest’s shoulders (vv. 9–12). - Each stone carries six tribal names, so that all twelve tribes are represented whenever the priest enters the LORD’s presence. Engraved Names: A Visible Memory - Not written in ink or paint, but “engraved”—permanently cut into the onyx. - Placed on the shoulders, the part of the body that bears weight; the priest literally “carries” Israel before God (cf. v. 12). - Every act of worship in the tabernacle is done with the covenant community symbolically present. - The stones are called “memorial stones” (Exodus 28:12), linking worship to continual remembrance. Why Remembrance Matters in Worship - Worship is never private or isolated; it is tied to God’s saving history with His people. - God’s design ensures that the worshiper remembers: • who God is—faithful to His covenant (Deuteronomy 7:9). • who we are—redeemed people with names known to Him (Isaiah 49:16). - Forgetting breeds idolatry (Deuteronomy 8:11–14); remembering anchors obedience and love (Psalm 103:2). - Remembrance is active, not nostalgic; it fuels present devotion (Psalm 77:11). Echoes throughout Scripture - Exodus 28:29: “Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel…as a continual memorial before the LORD.” - Joshua 4:5–7: Twelve stones from the Jordan serve “as a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” - Psalm 105:5: “Remember the wonders He has done, His judgments He has pronounced.” - 1 Corinthians 11:24–25: The Lord’s Supper: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” - Hebrews 7:25: Our Great High Priest “always lives to intercede” for us—our names remain before God. Practical Implications for Worship Today - Proclaim Redemption: Songs, sermons, and ordinances should recount the gospel’s saving acts. - Corporate Identity: Gathered worship reminds believers they belong to a covenant family, not a loose collection of individuals. - Visible Symbols: The Lord’s Table, baptism, Scripture reading, and even church art can function like onyx stones—tangible calls to remember. - Christ-Centered Focus: Just as Aaron bore Israel’s names, Jesus bears ours; worship highlights His ongoing intercession. - Ongoing Testimony: Personal stories of God’s faithfulness keep the community’s memory fresh, encouraging new generations (Psalm 145:4). Summing Up Exodus 28:9 shows that God stitches remembrance into the very fabric of biblical worship. By engraving Israel’s names on onyx, He teaches that every encounter with Him should consciously carry the memory of His people and His covenant faithfulness. True worship still lifts those engraved memories—now centered on Christ—so that we never forget who He is, what He has done, and who we are in Him. |
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