The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Exodus 28:30,
"Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord."
What is the "Urim" and the "Thummim"? The words mean "lights" and "perfections". From the context we see they were to be kept in Aaron's breastpiece and used for decision making. While there are other passages that refer to the Urim and Thummim we don't really know much more about them, exactly how they looked, how they performed the decision making, etc.. Many feel they were for the purpose that casting lots performed, as in "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord", Proverbs 16:33. Or for obtaining divine guidance with a Yes/No or True/False provided preternaturally.
The online "Jewish Virtual Library" claims, "By means of the Urim, the priest inquired of YHWH on behalf of the ruler (Num. 27:21; cf. Yoma 7:5, 'only for the king, the high court, or someone serving a need of the community'); they were one of the three legitimate means of obtaining oracles in early Israel (Urim, dreams, prophets; I Sam. 28:6)." https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-urim-and-thummim
What I find interesting about this fascinating part of Aaron's toolbox is that it is not explained in further detail. From the text it almost seems as though Moses (and possibly the nation as a whole back in the day) might already be familiar with the Urim and Thummim-- even though we have many questions about them. They are referred to by the Lord in this passage where many other details about other things are given to Moses. Not so the Urim and Thummim, only where they were to be kept with the rather vague reference as to their purpose.
"Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord."
What is the "Urim" and the "Thummim"? The words mean "lights" and "perfections". From the context we see they were to be kept in Aaron's breastpiece and used for decision making. While there are other passages that refer to the Urim and Thummim we don't really know much more about them, exactly how they looked, how they performed the decision making, etc.. Many feel they were for the purpose that casting lots performed, as in "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord", Proverbs 16:33. Or for obtaining divine guidance with a Yes/No or True/False provided preternaturally.
The online "Jewish Virtual Library" claims, "By means of the Urim, the priest inquired of YHWH on behalf of the ruler (Num. 27:21; cf. Yoma 7:5, 'only for the king, the high court, or someone serving a need of the community'); they were one of the three legitimate means of obtaining oracles in early Israel (Urim, dreams, prophets; I Sam. 28:6)." https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-urim-and-thummim
What I find interesting about this fascinating part of Aaron's toolbox is that it is not explained in further detail. From the text it almost seems as though Moses (and possibly the nation as a whole back in the day) might already be familiar with the Urim and Thummim-- even though we have many questions about them. They are referred to by the Lord in this passage where many other details about other things are given to Moses. Not so the Urim and Thummim, only where they were to be kept with the rather vague reference as to their purpose.
One thing I do know about the Urim and Thummim: I have all I need to know about them. If God intended I know more about them, there would be more detail. I have all I need to know. We all do. This springs from my conviction that the Scriptures are both intentional and plenary. They are not happenstance and what I find in the Scriptures are those things the Lord wants me to know. What he has not provided falls outside his intentions and purposes of me knowing him, his agenda of redemption and the revelation of himself to us all.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know. A blog with all my posts can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
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