Chest Pieces

After God delivered the 10 commandments to Moses, He gave Moses specific instructions for the ark that would carry them, the tabernacle for the ark and the garden where the ark would be located.  God then directed Moses to provide his brother Aaron with fine clothing that would be fitting for a priest, setting him apart from the other Israelites.  The clothing would include a chest piece with 12 jewels.  Each of those jewels would be engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel, symbolizing Aaron's leadership of all of the tribes when he came before the Lord.  The instructions to Moses were over 3500 years ago, but the meaning is as current today as it was then.  We all have people in our lives that we have a special responsibility to lead - a spouse, our kids, our friends, an organization.  We should have all of them covering our heart as we go before the Lord to pray for them.  Likewise, the names on that chestpiece should serve as a shield from the forces of the world that are counter to the plans of God.  

But God had further instructions for Aaron's attire.  He was to wear a medallion of pure gold around his head with the inscription, "Holy to the Lord" so he may take on himself any guilt of the people of Israel.  (Ex 28:38).  This is clear foreshadowing of Jesus who would take on the sins of the entire world by his death on the cross.  It is also a reminder to us that God will go before us in ordering our steps towards Him, and others seeing those steps should be directed back to Him.