Go! And Reflect His Radiance (Sapphires) - Exodus 24:10
Exodus 24:10 (NLT): “There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself.”
Introduction: Seeing the Glory Beneath His Feet
Imagine for a moment standing on a mountain, the air thin and sharp, the light so bright it blinds you. Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel stand before the Holy God. And as they look down, the ground beneath His feet shimmers with a blue radiance, like sapphire, clear as the sky.
This is no ordinary stone. It’s a reflection of heavenly glory. The Bible uses sapphire imagery to help us grasp something of the purity, holiness, and majesty of God’s presence.
Today, we explore what this sapphire symbolism teaches us about God’s character, His Word, and His Son, Jesus Christ, who reflects that same divine radiance perfectly.
Our message today is titled: “Go! And Reflect His Radiance.”
Because when you have encountered the God who shines like sapphire — your life can never look dull again.
Point 1: The Sapphire Reflects the Glory of God’s Presence
Let’s begin again with Exodus 24:10 (NLT): “There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a surface of brilliant blue lapis lazuli, as clear as the sky itself.”
The Hebrew word used here is ??????? (sappîr) — the same word translated sapphire. It represents a stone of deep, translucent blue, mirroring the colour of the heavens.
The mountain scene occurs just after God gives the Law — the covenant — to His people. The sapphire pavement under His feet symbolises the connection between heaven and earth, between divine glory and human covenant.
Theological truth: God’s holiness is not distant. His glory touches earth. And this sapphire-like brilliance reveals that His presence is pure, His Word is trustworthy, and His covenant is eternal.
Ezekiel 1:26 (NLT): “Above this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man.”
Here, Ezekiel sees a sapphire throne — the seat of divine authority. The One who sits upon it is clothed in glory and majesty.
This connects us to the truth that God’s authority is heavenly, not human; pure, not corrupt.
Word study: “Lapis lazuli” and “sapphire” share the same Hebrew term sappîr, symbolising clarity and brilliance — the light of heaven breaking through.
Application: In a world clouded by sin and confusion, we need the clear light of God’s truth. Like the sapphire, His Word pierces through the darkness.
A jeweller once said, “A sapphire’s beauty is not in its size, but in its clarity.” In the same way, God’s glory is not shown in grand displays of human power, but in the clear reflection of His purity. When we reflect His truth, even our small acts can shine with heavenly brilliance.
Modern reflection: We live in an age where truth is blurred. But when you walk with Jesus, the true Light, your life begins to shine with the clarity of heaven.
John Piper: “The root of our joy is that God is glorious, and that we were made to see and savour that glory.”
As I see it, Piper captures it perfectly: the sapphire is a glimpse of that glory — a reminder that we were made to see God’s splendour and to reflect it.
Point 2: The Sapphire Represents God’s Unchanging Word
Tradition among the rabbis suggested that the tablets of the Law were made of sapphire — a symbol that God’s commands were precious, durable, and pure.
Though the text does not confirm this, the symbolism is profound: sapphire, one of the hardest stones, points to the eternal nature of God’s Word.
Psalm 119:89 (NLT): “Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven.”
The phrase “stands firm” (??????, nitzav) means “to be immovable, established, enduring.” God’s Word, like sapphire, cannot be scratched or broken.
In a world where values shift daily, God’s Word remains the same — steady, radiant, true.
Numbers 23:19 (NLT): “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.”
The unchanging Word reveals the unchanging God.
Charles Stanley: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
Stanley’s wisdom reminds us: when we trust the eternal Word, we build on sapphire foundations, not sand.
Imagine building a house on shifting ground — every storm threatens to bring it down. But build on solid rock, and you stand secure. The sapphire foundation of God’s truth will not crack under pressure.
Point 3: The Sapphire Symbolises the Restoration and Beauty of God’s People
Isaiah 54:11–12 (NLT): “O storm-battered city, troubled and desolate! I will rebuild you with precious jewels and make your foundations from lapis lazuli. I will make your towers of sparkling rubies, your gates of shining gems, and your walls of precious stones.”
Here God speaks to a broken Jerusalem — a picture of His people scarred by rebellion and exile. But His promise is one of restoration and renewal.
The sapphire foundation signifies God rebuilding His people on truth, righteousness, and beauty.
Revelation 21:19 (NLT): “The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire…”
In the New Jerusalem, the sapphire foundation stands forever. It symbolises the glory of redeemed humanity — purified, perfected, and radiant in Christ.
You and I — redeemed by Jesus — are being built as living stones into God’s eternal dwelling (1 Peter 2:5).
R.T. Kendall: “The greater the anointing, the deeper the refining.”
Kendall reminds us: sapphires are formed under intense pressure. In the same way, God forms Christlike beauty in us through trials.
A miner once said, “You’ll never find a sapphire in the light — you have to go deep.” God often takes us deep into hardship, not to break us, but to bring forth something beautiful.
Point 4: The Sapphire Points to Christ — the Radiance of God’s Glory
The sapphire throne seen in Ezekiel 1:26 points forward to Revelation 4:2–3 (NLT): “And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.”
Who is seated there? Jesus Christ, the King of Glory.
Hebrews 1:3 (NLT) declares: “The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God.”
Jesus is the true sapphire — the radiant reflection of the Father’s beauty and truth.
He is pure.
He is steadfast.
He is eternal.
And at Calvary, that radiant King stepped down from His sapphire throne to bear the darkness of our sin.
The Gospel: From the Throne to the Cross
The One who shone like sapphire took on the dust of earth.
The One whose throne was heaven was nailed to a cross.
The One who was perfect in purity bore our impurity.
Jesus Christ died for our sins. He was buried. And on the third day, He rose again, defeating death and shining forth with resurrection glory.
Why? Because He loves you.
Through His blood, your life — once dull and marred by sin — can now reflect His radiance.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
That is the sapphire promise of the Gospel — firm, unbreakable, everlasting.
Call to Action: Reflect His Radiance
So how do we respond?
Revere His Presence.
Walk daily aware of the God whose throne is sapphire — holy, majestic, and near.
Rest in His Word.
Build your life on the eternal foundation of Scripture.
Reflect His Beauty.
Let His Spirit refine you until your life glows with His grace.
Respond to His Salvation.
If you’ve not yet trusted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, today is the day.
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, if you’ve wandered far from God — or never truly known Him — hear this:
The same God who sat upon the sapphire throne came down to rescue you.
The One who shines in unapproachable light invites you into His presence through the cross of Christ.
Come to Him today. Repent. Believe. Trust in Jesus. Let Him transform your life until you too reflect His radiance.
Benediction:
As you go this week, may the sapphire light of God’s truth guide your steps.
May your heart be pure, your faith steadfast, and your witness radiant.
And may you, as a living stone in His Kingdom, reflect the beauty of Jesus Christ — the true and shining Saviour.
