LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Urim and Thummim
"And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment Urim and Thummim..." (Exodus 28:30).
Every detail about the tabernacle and even the priestly garments, reveals Christ to us. We can never separate anything in the Scriptures from the person of Christ; otherwise, we would be among the false builders (Matt. 21:42). The Father wanted to see His Son in the tabernacle, He wanted to look at the high priest in His garments and to see Him in whom was all His delight. They were figures and shadows of heavenly things (Heb. 8:5).
There are many details and revelations that the Lord gives us through the priestly garments, but this time we want to highlight the Urim and the Thummim, which were two stones placed in the "breastplate of judgment", used to reveal the will of God.
The breastplate of judgment was to balance the things of God before sinful men, to show that God was kind, merciful and gracious, but also just. That his goodness was not detached from his severity. And in the breastplate of judgment, over the heart of the priest, were the Urim and the Thummim, signifying Lights and Perfection. He entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people, but in his heart he longed for Justice and Truth, Revelation and Holiness.
Today, this brings the figure of something very blessed for the people of God. Jesus, as High Priest, entered for us into heaven itself, but first He was sacrificed outside the gate, as the Lamb of God. For him to become our peace, there had to be judgment first. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins; his heart longed for righteousness, truth and holiness: "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30).
The Lord does not change, much less his heart. In his heart are the Urim and the Thummim, that is, the lights, revelation, truth and perfection, holiness for his people (1 Thess. 4:7-8). The breastplate of judgment always reminds us that we enjoy his grace and mercy, but we can never forget his justice: "Behold then the kindness and severity of God, severity indeed toward those who have fallen, but kindness toward you, if you continue in that kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off" (Rom. 11:22).
The Urim and Thummim reveal to us that God's will is that this redeemed people should still be purified and sanctified: "...that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:26-27); a church that is to be "a church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:26-27); a church that is to be "a church without blemish or wrinkle or any such thing" (Eph. 5:26-27). 5:26-27); a church that needs to learn to discern between the holy and the profane (Ezek. 44:23).
As royal priests, we too must carry the same Urim and Thummim in our hearts. Not only as a revelation to ourselves, but also as a necessity for sinners and for God's people. First -as it was with the high priests- sacrifice for himself, and then for all the people (Heb. 5:1-3).