Exodus 28

“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 … before the LORD” (v29).  Because of sin, humanity lost the privilege of living in God’s holy presence, so Aaron and his descendants (with sacrifices and anointing) represented the people before the Lord.  Aaron entered the Holy Place with the names of Israel’s tribes engraved on precious stones, carried over his heart (v21). 

Rather than a human priest representing us, we now have a “hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”  Jesus is our forever high priest, bearing us on his heart, bringing us into God’s presence (Hebrews 6:19-20).