Modern man-made structures are built with practical materials such as concrete and steel. They are durable, sturdy and cost-effective. Yet in the Bible, God specifically chooses materials of great value — precious stones—for building. The use of such material is seemingly impractical and a waste of material. However, in God’s eyes, the architecture for His building begins with sapphire.
Exodus 24 presents a scene of this building work as a vision in the heavens:
And they saw the God of Israel, and under His feet there was something like a paved work of sapphire, even like heaven itself for clearness. (v.10)
In this vision, the base the Lord stands on is a paved work of precious stone, a material of more value than any common building material; it is clear, it is processed. Under the immense pressure of an earthen environment a basic element such as carbon is slowly transformed into a new and lasting element of value; it is no longer dark and opaque but transparent, able to allow light to pass through to reveal its specific hue of blue. Something once so earthen has now become like heaven and yet tangible.
This vision was not just for all to see but was revealed to a specific group of people: the elders and Moses, who ascended up from the base of the mountain so that they were able to see Him and His desire. Our God desires a building; the paved sapphire is a foundation for His work that is echoed all throughout the Bible, reaching completion as the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation.
And he carried me away in spirit onto a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, / Having the glory of God…. / The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every precious stone: the first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire… (Rev. 21:10-11a; 19)
Today, our God is still building, not with steel or brick, but rather through the organic process of turning something earthen — us — into His precious stones, paved and fit together as the work of a master Mason into a home for His satisfaction. As fallen human beings, we are often dark and opaque in our desires and intentions. God raises specific environments in our daily lives to expose us and raise our eyes to Him. Through this seeing, our sky becomes clear and we enter into this heavenly vision — being changed from our earthen, worldly constitution into materials fit for His building. God desires us as His ultimate masterpiece, a building yet a people, eventually a city and yet a bride, where we together find full satisfaction as one entity.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! And let him who is thirsty come; let him who wills take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22:17)
(Above are notes of fellowship taken from a gathering on 9/24/2023 & 10/1/2023, not reviewed by the speaker.)