God’s truth on our hearts

“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.”  (Exodus 28:30)

What was the Urim and Thummim?

Simple answer:  nobody knows.

Nobody knows what they looked like.  Nobody knows how they were used.

There are a lot of guesses out there, but the Bible simply doesn’t give us enough information.

But apparently, it was a way to determine God’s will and to seek his guidance in making decisions.

The words themselves literally mean “lights” and “perfections.”

Taken allegorically, they could be taken to mean “revelations” and “truth.”

Whatever they were, they were placed over Aaron’s heart whenever he entered God’s presence.

Two things come to mind as I think of the two meanings of the words Urim and Thummim.

In the Bible, the Word of God is said to be a light for our lives, and that his word and ways are perfect.

In Psalm 119:105, it says,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

In Psalm 18:30, it says,

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

The Word of God is one of the ways he reveals himself to us and shares his truth with us. Indeed, it is the primary way he does so. 

And so if we’re seeking his guidance in our lives, his word needs to be on our hearts.

When Joshua was about to lead the people into the promised land, he apparently had some anxiety about leading these people as the successor to Moses.

No less than three times, God told him, “Be strong and courageous.”

Perhaps Joshua felt he wasn’t qualified to be a leader.  Perhaps he felt he didn’t know enough.  But God told him this,

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful.”  (Joshua 1:8)

Are you seeking God’s will in your life?  Do you want to know who he is, and how he would have you live?

Then spend time in his word.  Meditate on his word.

In other words, don’t just read the Bible like you would a novel.  Think about it throughout the day.

Think about it as you go to bed.  Memorize it.

But most of all, obey it.

For then your life will be prosperous and you’ll find success in love, in work, in your relationships, and in life.