Exodus 25:27

Ouer against the border shall the rings be for places of the staues to beare the table. Exodus 25:27 (KJV)

The instruction to “make two rings of gold and put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof” appears in the detailed specifications for the high priest’s garments found in Exodus 28. These rings were attached to the breastplate at its two ends, securing it to the ephod, the sleeveless garment worn beneath. The breastplate itself was a finely crafted piece of linen set with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and it rested over the high priest’s heart as he entered the Holy Place.

The golden rings served a practical purpose: they provided the means to fasten the breastplate securely to the ephod. Beyond this function, the rings carry rich symbolic meaning. First, they illustrate unity. By linking the breastplate and the ephod, the rings symbolize the cohesion of the high priest’s attire, which in turn reflects the harmony among the tribes of Israel carried on the priest’s heart. Second, they convey stability. The sturdy gold rings held the breastplate in place, reminding the people of the steadfastness of God’s promises and the reliability of His covenant. Third, they point to access to God. As the high priest wore the breastplate while interceding before the Lord, the rings signify the channel through which the people could approach divine presence.

These themes have clear application for believers today. Unity in Christ is echoed in the rings’ connection; Christians are called to maintain unity within the body of Christ, as urged in Ephesians 4:3 to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The stability represented by the rings encourages confidence in God’s unchanging faithfulness, affirmed in Hebrews 13:8 that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Finally, the rings’ role in granting access mirrors the believer’s direct approach to God through Jesus, as Hebrews 4:16 invites us to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.”

In summary, the golden rings on the high priest’s breastplate were not merely functional fasteners; they embodied unity, stability, and divine access. Reflecting on these truths invites us to pursue unity within the church, trust in God’s steadfast promises, and embrace the privilege of approaching God through Christ.