Why Does The Preeminent Onyx Stand Out
This Sermon Was Inspired After Hearing A Sermon
By William P. Grady
Click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRhhD4Jb8JE
To Hear Dr. Grady's Sermon That Inspired This Bible Study
Today we will learn why the preeminent onyx stone stands out above all other precious gem stones in the bible. Onyx is black and represents our sinful nature and God wants us to remember that to be saved we must repent and see ourselves as guilty sinners that must decide to stop sinning needing a Saviour named Jesus to save our souls. Right now get saved and repent, stop sinning, confess Jesus to be your God, believing that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again.
OK, lets see where in the bible the preeminent onyx stone stands out. The black onyx stone is the first gemstone mentioned in the beginning of time in the garden of Eden at Genesis 2:11. This scripture says The name of the first (river in Eden) is Pison that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good, there is bdellium and the onyx stone. Bdellium like the onyx stone is related to myrrh that is used after death for burial reminding us of our black sinful nature needing to be forgiven by Jesus.
The Preeminent Onyx Stone Stands Out Above Other Gemstones
On The High Priests Epaulets (Shoulder Pieces) And Breastplate
The onyx stone takes preeminence over all other gemstones on the high priests epaulets (shoulder pieces) and breastplate. High priests used to wear ephods that were sleeveless garments with 2 shoulder pieces connected to a breastplate. According to Exodus 28:9 there were two black onyx stones used to make the two epaulet shoulder pieces. On each onyx stone shoulder piece was written in birth order the names of the 12 tribes of Israel (6 names on each onyx stone). And according to Exodus 28:17 and Exodus 28:29 the names of the 12 tribes and corresponding gemstones (including the onyx) appear on the priest's breastplate. Look at the picture above for the names of the 12 tribes and the gemstone assigned to each tribe. Notice that the onyx is preeminent and stands out above all other gemstones appearing two times in the epaulets and again on the breastplate.
Why Joseph Is Represented By The Onyx Stone
Now notice that the onyx stone is the 11th stone on the priest's breastplate. And Joseph was Jacob's 11th son represented by the black onyx stone. Now why did God say Joseph who is a type of Jesus was like a black onyx stone? Notice that the onyx stone gets double usage on the priests epaulets and breastplate appearing twice. And wow Joseph was the only son of Jacob that got a double portion blessing. Reuben the firstborn lost the double portion blessing for sleeping with his stepmother. Judah whose tribe represents Jesus lost the double portion blessing for sleeping with a whore named Tamar. But Joseph got the double portion blessing because he fled from committing adultery with Potipher's wife. The double portion blessing was given by Jacob to Joseph's two sons Manasseh and Ephraim.
Next notice that Genesis 37:3 tells us that Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than all his children because he was the son of his old age and he made him a coat of many colours. And isn't it amazing that the onyx stone that is mainly black also displays the many colours of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) like Joseph's coat of many colours.
Like The Onyx Joseph The Refused Black Sheep Of His Family
Became Preeminent And A Great Ruler In Egypt
Joseph was represented by the black onyx because he was the refused black sheep of his family. Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold as a slave to Ishamelites because they didn't like that Jacob preferred him by giving Joseph a coat of many colours. But eventually Joseph (the rejected black onyx stone) became the preeminent ruler of Egypt standing out above all the people.
Joseph was a type of Jesus and truly according to Psalm 118:22-23 the (onyx) stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. Like Joseph, our Lord Jesus was rejected and crucified but now Jesus is the head stone of the corner and is preeminent like the onyx stone. According to Colossians 1:18 And He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
The Saints Of The Church Are Black In Sin Like The Onyx
But Jesus Who Is White And Ruddy Removes Our Black Sin
And Washes Us Whiter Than Snow In His Own Blood
The bride of Jesus (the saints of the church) are described as black in sin like the onyx. Song of Solomon 1:5 describes the bride church saying I am black (like the onyx) but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem; as the tents of Kedar; as the curtains of Solomon. Exodus 26:7 let's us know that that goat's hair used to make Solomon's curtains were black. And David who represents the beloved church was black in sin like the onyx and according to Psalm 120:5 dwelt in the black tents of Kedar.
Now notice how the bride church describes her beloved Jesus at Song of Solomon 5:10 saying My beloved (Jesus) is white and ruddy, the chiefest among 10000. Therefore Jesus is white and all sinners saved in the church are black like the onyx. Now the reason the onyx stands out and is preeminent is because Jesus became the black onyx by taking our black sinfulness upon Himself at the cross where His precious blood washed away our black onyx sins and made them white as snow forevermore. Praise Jesus right now as you say 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He (the Father) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. And also say Isaiah 1:18 though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
You see the black onyx sinners of the church stood out to Jesus and were important. Jesus said at Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And Luke 19:10 says For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. This is why the black onyx stands out in the bible because lost sinners are important to Jesus who wants to save everyone. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Why Did The Black Onyx Become A Brownish Red Sardonyx
Finally we see at Revelation 21:19 that the black onyx becomes a brownish red sardonyx in the foundations of the wall of the heavenly city. Revelation 21:19 says And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire; the third chalcedony, the fourth an emerald, (Notice that the fifth foundation is sardonyx and not just onyx).
Now why did the black onyx become a brownish red sardonyx in the 5th foundation of the wall of the city? This is because the red blood of Jesus that covers a sinner's black onyx sin changes the black onyx into a brownish red sardonyx. This 5th foundation brownish red sardonyx stone will remind saints in the kingdom to forever remember that Jesus died for them on the cross and shed his precious blood to remove our black onyx sins. The saints will remember and say Revelation 1:5 Unto Him (Jesus) that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Whenever the saints in heaven look at the sardonyx stone, they'll praise Jesus forevermore and always remember that Jesus' blood washed away their black onyx sins. These saints will sing a new song at Revelation 5:9 saying Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
Here's a couple concluding remarks about why the black onyx became a brownish red sardonyx? The black onyx stone appeared as the 5th stone on the devil in the garden of Eden according to Ezekial 28:13 representing the number 5 and death from black sin. But in the kingdom the sardonyx brownish red stone will appear as the 5th foundation stone so saints can always remember that the death of Jesus on the cross removed their black onyx sins forevermore. Instead of a black sinful onyx stone, the saints will always see a blessed brownish red sardonyx stone and remember that Jesus shed His precious blood to remove their black onyx sins.
Now think about this: When the freshly spilt blood of Jesus covers our black onyx sins the result is a sardonyx with a brownish red base instead of an onyx with a black sinful base. This reminds us of when Joseph's brothers dipped his coat of many colours (representing the onyx of many colours) in the blood of a kid of the goats to create a sardonyx. Joseph's coat of many colours turned into a brownish red sardonyx presented to his father Jacob who eventually discovered that Joseph was not dead but alive because of the blood of an innocent kid which was a sign about the blood of Jesus taking away our black onyx sins.
Finally, think about these last two points: The first reference to onyx is at the second chapter of the first book of the bible (Genesis 2:12). The last reference to onyx (sardonyx) is at the second to the last chapter of the bible at Revelation 21:19. And how about this: Both Solomon and Joseph were types of Jesus that married black onyx sinners. According to 1 Kings 3:1 Solomon married Pharoah's black onyx daughter creating a sardonyx. And according to Genesis 41:45 Joseph married the black onyx daughter of Potiphera of On named Asenath creating a sardonyx.
I pray in Jesus name that this little bible study blesses multitudes all over this earth with great peace and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin 2233 Pinetree Lane Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
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