A Gem of Worth

By Mary L Ball

Spiritual Birthstones:
Each chapter highlights the birthstone of the month, its history and special meaning. These gems are connected to the stones used in The High Priest of the Hebrews' (Aaron) breastplate. It's assured they have spiritual meanings. The colors also hold the key to understanding all God has in store for us.

What does your birth month reveal?

Special addition: Flowers of the month, their meanings and medicinal properties.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Life Inspiring Books
• Release date: Oct 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223501138

Mary L Ball

Mary L. Ball is a multi-published Christian author and resides in North Carolina. Readers can connect with her on Face Book and her website.  https://marylball.weebly.com https://www.facebook.com/MaryLBallChristianauthor

Book preview

"The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst." Revelation 21:19-20

Scriptural references from the New International Version Bible

Introduction

Aaron’s breastplate was adorned with treasured, beautiful stones that held great significance. For example, the red ruby symbolizes justification, sapphire stands for faithfulness, and amethyst with its wonderful purple color is linked to royalty and spirituality. Abundant life marks the green emerald.

These are just a few of the twelve stones; each gem on the breastplate was placed there for a Holy reason. Not only did God instruct these magnificent jewels to be integrated onto the High Priest’s breastplate (book of Exodus.) He ordained them to be included in the construction of the altar.

There is no doubting the magnitude of importance these stone held in Biblical times.

Today, gems are just as important and many don’t realize their birthstones have a scriptural origin and a spiritual meaning.

In the 1st century, a Jewish scholar, Josephus connected the twelve stones used in Aaron's breastplate to the twelve months of the year.

Although, Bible verses don’t include the word birthstone, the colors and gems themselves hold a special meaning. Thousands of years later, gemstones are still an important part of history and symbolism.

Each of us is a sum of our background and spiritual awareness; however, God said, For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13.

It’s clear the Lord planned our birth. He also planned the month we were born. Therefore, He instilled in us the qualities of a heavenly gem.

Birthstones play a part in our personalities. With that understanding we can use our birth month to helps us be the best version of ourselves.

In A Gem of Worth the colored gem associated to the 12 months of the year is the focus, not the zodiac’s claim of fortune-telling or healing powers said to be linked to certain stones.

It’s a surety for each of us that only God knows what is forthcoming, and only by following Him, will we be assured of a blessed future.

Still, it’s nice to know what your spiritual birthstone might say about you.

CHAPTER ONE

The Beginning of a Birthstone 

The beginning of a birthstone dates back to Bible times. Aaron was fit with a breastplate created from twelve stones.

These stones symbolized Israel’s twelve tribes.

Lined up in four rows of three they were placed in the following order: the sardonyx (onyx), topaz, emerald, carbuncle (garnet or ruby), jasper, sapphire, ligure (possibly lapis), amethyst, agate, chrysolyte (gold stone) onyx, and beryl (aquamarine). These stones represent the collection of specific minerals associated to the 12-month Gregorian calendar.

Following the reference to Aaron’s breastplate, people of the Roman Empire used the stone of their birth as a charm for good luck.

During the Middle Ages, an era was ushered in where many wore a different stone every month of the year in an attempt to indicate the calendar month they were born.

The history of birthstones is enthralling and the use of gemstones is first mentioned in the Bible. During the ninth century, Christians assigned stones to represent the 12 apostles.