The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Sapphire

Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September. Sapphire was the second stone in the second row of the Breastplate of Aaron mentioned in Exodus Chapter 28 and represented the Tribe of Simeon, and will decorate the second foundation of the New Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation 21 and represent the Apostle Andrew.

In Scripture the number two is the number of, and represents, division or double-portion. In the context of this paragraph it represents division. Chapter 34 of Genesis tells the story of the defilement of Dinah, sister of Simeon and Levi (brothers, and sons of Jacob) and their reaction to the incident which ended in the killing of all the males in the city of Shechem. This mass killing came after Simeon and Levi's father Jacob (a.k.a. Israel) had tried to seek justice by requiring the males of Shechem to be circumcised, to which they agreed, only to be killed three days later at the hands and swords of Simeon, Levi, and other sons of Jacob. They also plundered the entire city of anything of value. Upon hearing the news of the killings, Jacob became ashamed, fearful for his life and left that land. This abbreviated history is important to understand when you come to Genesis Chapter 49 when Jacob (now named Israel) calls his sons together to tell them what will happen in days to come. Israel said, "Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; And their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel"ASV (referring to their killing spree in Shechem). Sapphire's 'second in the second row' (2 of 2) representation for the Tribe of Simeon certainly testifies to Simeon's separation or division from the counsel of his father, although not disinherited entirely. The Tribe of Levi was set apart (divided from the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy 10:8-9) by God Himself, to forever be servants of the Temple and have no inheritance with their brethren. The brothers were divided from both their father and from each other. So the significance of Sapphire's representing Simeon seems to have more to do with it's placement (2 of 2, divided from his father Israel and divided from his brother Levi) than any property of the gem itself.

In the context of this paragraph the number 2 will represent double (increased) portion. Sapphire will also represent the Apostle Andrew in the second foundation of the New Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation 21. The blue color of Sapphire can remind us of Andrew (and his brother Peter) in that these first two disciples of Jesus were called from being fishermen of the sea to become "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:18). The first thing Andrew did after meeting Jesus was run and find his brother Simon Peter and bring him to Jesus. It was Andrew who brought the boy with five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus, which Jesus miraculously multiplies into enough food to feed everyone (John 6:8-9). Andrew is most often seen physically bringing people to Jesus. Because of these acts, the numbers of believers was increased as Jesus was glorified.

I believe the thing to remember about this post is that Jesus is the author of forgiveness and redemption. In the case of Simeon, Jesus purposed that Simeon would see repercussions of his own actions, yet in forgiveness, not be disinherited completely. Levi was set apart by God Himself to forever serve others and participate in their own redemption, putting sword to sacrifices instead of men.

In the case of Andrew, many came to know the greatest Love ever to be shown to mankind in the person of Jesus Christ. The blue color of sapphire (representing the Apostle Andrew in the 2nd foundation of the New Jerusalem), is linked to emotions such as sympathy and harmony, friendship and loyalty, emotions with features described as permanent, reliable, composed, and yielding mutual understanding and unshakeable trust. These are qualities that will forever represent the apostle Andrew and his relationship to Jesus Christ, The King of the New Jerusalem.

NEXT POST: Opal - Making All Things New

The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Beryl

It's notable that the exact identity of a few stones mentioned in Exodus 28 and Revelation 21 are uncertain and differ from translation to translation. Since many of the stones are now contemporary birthstones, I will highlight them in the months in which they correspond, not necessarily in the order they are mentioned in scripture. It's also notable that the number 12(the number of perfection in government, and completion) is a key theme throughout these particular posts.

The Gems of Exodus and Revelation - Beryl

Beryl is the mineral name of several important gemstones. All transparent varieties of Beryl may be used as gemstones, although Emerald and Aquamarine are by far the most well-known and important varieties. Pure Beryl is colorless; traces of different impurities are responsible for the color range. Each color variety has a distinct name in the gemstone trade:

• Emerald, the green variety, is the most popular green gemstone and is one of the most valuable gems.
• Aquamarine, the blue to blue-green variety. The previous post was devoted to this variety.
• Morganite, the pink variety, named after the banker J.P. Morgan, who was an avid gemstone collector. Morganite may also be called "Pink Beryl". "Peach Beryl", or "Champagne Beryl", is Morganite with an orange-pink color.
• Heliodor is the variety including all yellow, yellow-green, light-green, orange, and brown Beryl.
• Golden Beryl, sometimes also called "Heliodorite", is a variety of Heliodor with a golden yellow color.
• Goshenite is the colorless variety of Beryl, and is not commonly used as gemstone.
• Red Beryl, also known as Bixbite, is very rare and deep red.

Beryl is mentioned specifically in both the breastplate of Aaron and the foundations of the New Jerusalem, and represent the tribe of Zebulun and the apostle Matthew respectively. The tribe of Zebulun was a small tribe, whose territory included Nazareth where Jesus dwelt. They also assisted in enthroning David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:33-40), whose lineage includes Jesus.

Matthew was called to follow Jesus from the greedy and publicly despised tax collection business, and he is represented by beryl in the 8th foundation of the New Jerusalem. Eight is the number of 'new beginnings' in scripture. Both apostles Luke (5:27)and Mark (2:14) call him Levi, which could mean that he was from the tribe of Levi, the people who served as the staff of the Temple: musicians, guards, custodians, or record-keepers. From the way he wrote, we can be certain Matthew was Jewish. Many tax collectors collected as much money as they could in any way that they could in order to become very rich. Tax-collectors were considered to be so dishonest that they could not testify in courts of law. Were it true that Matthew descended from the Levite servants of the Temple, then it would be something indeed that he would 'opt-out' of servanthood to became a tax collector. There's no question then that Matthew made a 'new beginning' when he chose to follow Jesus, and I believe suggests the reason he is represented so in the 8th foundation of the New Jerusalem. Interestingly, two of the principle colors of beryl are gold and green, the colors of money.

Again, with a little digging we can come to understand more about why some of these gems may have been chosen for their particular placement in ephod of the Old Covenant Church and in the foundations of the New Covenant Church.

NEXT POST: Diamonds and The Real Thing remix