The Urim and Thummim

The Urim and Thummim

God's Way of Speaking in the Old Days – And How Much Better It Is Now

I have been watching Tyler Gaulden of Hillcrest Baptist Church doing a teaching series on the temple and priests. As I watch and study what he is teaching and go through the Word of God, we come across these interesting things in the Old Testament that make us stop and think.

One of them to me is the Urim and Thummim (sometimes written Urim V'Tummim). They're mentioned in connection with the high priest's garments, and they're really a picture of how God used to give direct guidance to His people Israel.

Let me read it to you from Exodus 28:30 (NKJV):

"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."

God told Moses to place these in the breastplate, the breastplate of judgment (also called the choshen), that the high priest wore right over his heart. When the high priest went into the presence of the Lord, he carried the names of the tribes on that breastplate, and these Urim and Thummim were there to help inquire of the Lord.

The words themselves are interesting. Urim means "lights", like illumination, revelation from God. Thummim means "perfections" or "truth." So together, they speak of clear light and perfect truth coming from the Lord.

When there was a big decision, maybe about going to battle, or who should lead, or some unclear matter, the people would come to the priest. He'd inquire by the Urim and Thummim, and God would give an answer. We see it in action with David in 1 Samuel 23 and 30, he asks the Lord through the ephod (which held the breastplate), and God answers plainly, yes or no, go or don't go.

But here's the thing! The Bible doesn't tell us much about what they actually were. Were they two stones? A parchment with the name of God? Some say the stones on the breastplate lit up, or letters stood out to spell an answer. The Scripture is silent on the details. God didn't need to explain the mechanics; He just wanted His people to trust Him for the guidance.

And you know what? Over time, they disappeared. After the First Temple was destroyed by Babylon around 586 BC, they're never mentioned as being used again. When the people came back from exile, Ezra 2:63 and Nehemiah 7:65 say some priests couldn't serve until a priest could consult with the Urim and Thummim, meaning they were gone, lost to history.

Even Jewish tradition doesn't have a clear answer. The rabbis and the Talmud talk about them stopping after the First Temple fell, along with the Ark, the Shekinah glory, and the spirit of prophecy. Some say it was a scroll with God's name tucked in the breastplate. Others talk about divine illumination on the stones. But no one agrees completely. It is just a mystery God left for us.

Now, the Temple Institute in Jerusalem is working hard to prepare for a future Temple, recreating the garments and vessels just as the Torah describes. They call the Urim and Thummim the "oracle-like aspect" of the breastplate, by which a heavenly answer came for important questions. They lean toward the view that it was the Divine Name on parchment placed inside, allowing God to give guidance, maybe through the stones shining or something supernatural.

They show pictures of the high priest inquiring before the Lord, and they believe it'll be needed again in a rebuilt Temple. But even they don't claim to know the exact "how", it's based on Scripture and tradition, and the supernatural part only God can bring back.

But listen, folks! This all points to something far better. In the Old Testament, God spoke through these things because the people needed a mediator, a high priest to go in for them. But praise the Lord, we have a better High Priest now!

Hebrews 4:14 -16 tells us…

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession... Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

And Hebrews 7:25…

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

Jesus is our High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron. He doesn't need Urim and Thummim as He intercedes for us continually. And we have the Holy Spirit living right inside us!

John 16:13 says…

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth..."

We don't have to wait for some lost objects or a special breastplate. The veil is torn, where we come boldly. The Bible is complete, the Spirit guides, and prayer in Jesus' name brings us right to the Father.

The Urim and Thummim were a shadow, a beautiful way God cared for His people back then. But shadows give way to the reality in Christ.

Today, you and I can hear God's voice through His Word, by His Spirit, in prayer. No mystery, no disappearance, just constant, personal fellowship.

Isn't that wonderful? God hasn't left us orphans. He's with us always. So, let's just keep our hearts open to Him, study the Word, and trust the Spirit to lead us step by step.

If you're searching for God's will today, don't rely on an old method ~ turn to Jesus ~ He is all we need.