The Urim and the Thummin…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 28:27 Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. 

Today’s verses sent me on a bit of a deep dive into Urim and Thummin (v30). Turns out, not much is known about them except that they were a way for the high priest to divine the will of God. They are thought to be two stones, one light and one dark, indicating yes or no. 

Exodus 28:28 The rings of the breastpiece are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastpiece will not swing out from the ephod.

One commentary suggested that “The High Priest would ask God a question, reach into the breastplate, and pull out either a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’” and that this method was preferable to relying “on feelings, or outward appearances, or to simply use no discernment at all.”

Exodus 28:29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. 

Precious Savior, My brief look into Urim and Thummin has me stumped this morning. It feels a bit like asking a Magic 8 Ball a question and shaking it to see what it says. And that does not square with who You are and who You are to me. Help me to make sense of Your word, which is alive and active (Heb 4:12), so that I can understand and draw closer. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

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.

Have a blessed day. 

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