Daily Devotions
Exodus
"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God." Hebrews 10:12
Text: Exodus 28 : 30
STRAIGHTFORWARD MINISTRY
The high priest’s ministry, though full of responsibility was fairly straightforward, for the most part. One of the cardinal roles he must play was to represent Israel in intercessory prayer! He must know how to plead on behalf of his nation! He must feel deeply burdened for his nation as he prays. He must succeed or the consequences were unthinkable!
THE MYSTERIOUS URIM AND THUMMIM
There was one special area of ministry that the high priest must engage in from time to time. He must use what is commonly known as “Urim and Thummin”.
“And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment
the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over
Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the LORD.
So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel
over his heart before the LORD continually.”
EXODUS 28:30
1. The meaning of the words “Urim and Thummim”
Urim simply means “Curses” . The second word, “Thummim” means “Perfections”.
2. What were these objects?
The Scriptures have not fully explained what these are. They were small enough to put into a pouch and placed “over Aaron’s heart”.
3. A likely guess
The Urim and Thummim were most likely lots that were cast before God. These lots helped the high priest determine the leading of God. The will of God would be confirmed through these lots.
4. Seeking the Lord’s leading concerning decisions
Moses was deeply privileged indeed. The Lord had chosen to speak to him directly. To no one else was this privilege given as freely as it was extended to Moses in his day!
How would the high priest determine the leading of God then? He would have to learn how to make use of the Urim and Thummim to discern what the Lord desired of them. If the lots were shaken, the one that falls out of the container would represent the will of God. If the lot fell on Urim then Israel would know that God did not want them to pursue that direction. If the lot fell on Thummim, then Israel is assured that God preferred them to walk in that path! (Similar practices may be found in other religions. However, this does not discount the value of this God-given ministry).