And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron's heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD. And place the Urim and ThummimThe Urim and Thummim are mysterious objects used for divination, often associated with the high priest's breastpiece. The Hebrew words "Urim" and "Thummim" are often translated as "lights" and "perfections," respectively. These objects were believed to reveal God's will, providing divine guidance. Historically, their exact nature and method of use remain uncertain, but they symbolize the clarity and truth of God's judgment. The placement of these objects signifies the importance of seeking divine wisdom in leadership and decision-making. in the breastpiece of judgment
The breastpiece, also known as the "breastplate of judgment," was an ornate garment worn by the high priest. It was intricately designed and held the Urim and Thummim. The term "judgment" here refers to the priest's role in discerning God's will and making decisions on behalf of the people. This breastpiece was a physical representation of the priest's duty to carry the spiritual and judicial responsibilities of the nation, emphasizing the need for righteousness and justice in leadership. so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart
The phrase "over Aaron’s heart" is deeply symbolic, indicating that the high priest's decisions and judgments should be guided by compassion and love for the people. The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of emotion and moral decision-making. By placing the Urim and Thummim over Aaron's heart, it underscores the necessity for leaders to be guided by both divine wisdom and heartfelt concern for those they serve. whenever he enters the presence of the LORD
This phrase highlights the sacred duty of the high priest to enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the tabernacle, where God's presence dwelled. It signifies the solemn responsibility and privilege of approaching God on behalf of the people. The high priest's role was to mediate between God and Israel, emphasizing the need for holiness and reverence in worship and leadership. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of judgment for the Israelites
The phrase "bear the means of judgment" indicates the continuous responsibility of the high priest to represent the people before God. Aaron, as the high priest, carried the weight of the nation's spiritual and moral accountability. This role foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who bears the sins and judgments of humanity, offering redemption and intercession. over his heart before the LORD
The repetition of "over his heart" reinforces the idea that true judgment and leadership must be rooted in love and sincerity. "Before the LORD" signifies the constant awareness of God's presence and the accountability that comes with it. Leaders are reminded that their actions and decisions are always observed by God, calling for integrity and faithfulness in their service. Persons / Places / Events 1. AaronThe brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He is tasked with wearing the breastpiece of judgment, which includes the Urim and Thummim, as he enters the presence of the LORD. 2. Urim and ThummimObjects placed in the breastpiece of judgment, used for divination or decision-making. Their exact nature is unknown, but they were a means for the high priest to discern God's will. 3. Breastpiece of JudgmentA sacred garment worn by the high priest, containing the Urim and Thummim, symbolizing the priest's role in seeking God's guidance for the people. 4. Presence of the LORDRefers to the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, where God's presence dwelt, and where the high priest would enter to perform his duties. 5. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, for whom Aaron, as high priest, would seek divine guidance using the Urim and Thummim. Teaching Points The Role of the High PriestAaron's role as high priest was to mediate between God and the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of spiritual leadership in seeking God's will. Seeking Divine GuidanceThe Urim and Thummim symbolize the need for believers to seek God's guidance in decision-making, reminding us to prioritize prayer and discernment. Heart of the MatterThe placement of the Urim and Thummim over Aaron's heart signifies the importance of aligning our hearts with God's will when making decisions. Symbolism of the BreastpieceThe breastpiece represents the weight of responsibility carried by spiritual leaders, encouraging us to pray for and support those in leadership. God's Presence and GuidanceJust as Aaron entered the presence of the LORD for guidance, believers are called to seek God's presence through prayer and scripture for direction in their lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of the high priest in seeking God's guidance through the Urim and Thummim relate to the role of spiritual leaders today? 2. In what ways can we seek God's guidance in our own decision-making processes, and how does this reflect the use of the Urim and Thummim? 3. What does the placement of the Urim and Thummim over Aaron's heart teach us about the importance of aligning our hearts with God's will? 4. How can we support and pray for our spiritual leaders as they carry the responsibility of seeking God's guidance for their congregations? 5. Reflect on a time when you sought God's presence for guidance. How did this experience shape your understanding of His will and direction for your life? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 8:8Describes the consecration of Aaron and the placement of the breastpiece, emphasizing the importance of the high priest's role in seeking God's guidance. Numbers 27:21Highlights the use of the Urim for decision-making, showing its continued importance in seeking God's will for leadership and direction. 1 Samuel 28:6Illustrates a time when God did not answer Saul through the Urim, indicating the necessity of a right relationship with God to receive guidance. People Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Israelites, Ithamar, Moses, Nadab, ShohamPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Aaron, Aaron's, Always, Bag, Bear, Borne, Breastpiece, Breastplate, Breast-plate, Carry, Continually, Decisions, Enters, Goes, Hast, Heart, Israelites, Judgment, Lights, Making, Perfections, Power, Presence, Sons, Thummim, Thus, Urim, WheneverDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 28:30 1175 God, will of
1403 God, revelation
5073 Aaron, priest
7392 lots, casting of Exodus 28:1-43 1065 God, holiness of Exodus 28:15-30 5140 breasts
7320 breastpiece Exodus 28:29-30 4912 chance
7734 leaders, spiritual Library Three Inscriptions with one Meaning
'Thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it ... HOLINESS TO THE LORD.'--EXODUS xxviii. 36. 'In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.'--ZECH. xiv. 20. 'His name shall be in their foreheads.'--REV. xxii. 4. You will have perceived my purpose in putting these three widely separated texts together. They all speak of inscriptions, and they are all obviously connected with each other. The first of them comes from the ancient times of the institution …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Names on Aaron's Breastplate
Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord, upon his two shoulders, for a memorial.... And Aaron shall bear the names of the Children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the Holy Place.'--EXODUS xxviii. 12,29. Every part of the elaborately prescribed dress of the high priest was significant. But the significance of the whole was concentrated in the inscription upon his mitre, 'Holiness to the Lord,' and in those others upon his breastplate and his shoulder. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation.
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.'--Ex. xxviii. 36, 38. God's house was to be the dwelling-place of His Holiness, the place where He was to reveal Himself; as the Holy One, not to be approached but with …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Edwards -- Spiritual Light
Jonathan Edwards, the New England divine and metaphysician, was born at East Windsor, Connecticut, in 1703. He was graduated early from Yale College, where he had given much attention to philosophy, became tutor of his college, and at nineteen began to preach. His voice and manner did not lend themselves readily to pulpit oratory, but his clear, logical, and intense presentation of the truth produced a profound and permanent effect upon his hearers. He wrote what were considered the most important …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3 That the Ruler Should be Pure in Thought.
The ruler should always be pure in thought, inasmuch as no impurity ought to pollute him who has undertaken the office of wiping away the stains of pollution in the hearts of others also; for the hand that would cleanse from dirt must needs be clean, lest, being itself sordid with clinging mire, it soil whatever it touches all the more. For on this account it is said through the prophet, Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord (Isai. lii. 11). For they bear the vessels of the Lord who undertake, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Sanctification
'For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.' I Thess 4:4. The word sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to a holy use: thus they are sanctified persons who are separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. Sanctification has a privative and a positive part. I. A privative part, which lies in the purging out of sin. Sin is compared to leaven, which sours; and to leprosy, which defiles. Sanctification purges out the old leaven.' I Cor 5:5. Though it takes not …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable in Speech.
The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For, as incautious speaking leads into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed. For often improvident rulers, fearing to lose human favour, shrink timidly from speaking freely the things that are right; and, according to the voice of the Truth (Joh. x. 12), serve unto the custody of the flock by no means …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 13, 8-10. 8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND THE COMMAND TO LOVE. 1. This, like the two …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II The Covenant of Grace
Q-20: DID GOD LEAVE ALL MANKIND TO PERISH 1N THE ESTATE OF SIN AND MISERY? A: No! He entered into a covenant of grace to deliver the elect out of that state, and to bring them into a state of grace by a Redeemer. 'I will make an everlasting covenant with you.' Isa 55:5. Man being by his fall plunged into a labyrinth of misery, and having no way left to recover himself, God was pleased to enter into a new covenant with him, and to restore him to life by a Redeemer. The great proposition I shall go …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own …
James Denney—The Death of Christ Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 28:30 NIVExodus 28:30 NLTExodus 28:30 ESVExodus 28:30 NASBExodus 28:30 KJV
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