Exodus 28:23 And you shall make for the breastpiece two rings of gold, and put the two rings on the two edges of the breastpiece. 24 And you shall put the two cords of gold in the two rings at the edges of the breastpiece. 25 The two ends of the two cords you shall attach to the two settings of filigree, and so attach it in front to the shoulder pieces of the ephod. 26 You shall make two rings of gold, and put them at the two ends of the breastpiece, on its inside edge next to the ephod. 27 And you shall make two rings of gold, and attach them in front to the lower part of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, at its seam above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28 And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod. 29 So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord.
Like with the tabernacle and its furnishings, God gave specific details to Moses about the garments of the High Priest. The breastpiece, with the twelve gems representing the twelve tribes, had to be rather heavy. It probably was somewhat of a burden to bear. It was also a stunning, "one-of-a-kind" garment. There was no mistaking who the High Priest was. Wearing it could lead to a "look-at-me" pride, but that was not God's intent. Rather, as this passage concludes, the one who wore it was to remember why he had it: to keep God's people in his heart as he remembered them before the Lord. May God give us loving hearts as we remember His people before Him.
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