In a few days, heads or tails will determine which team gets the ball first in the Super Bowl, the coin toss yielding a fair and unbiased decision. It’s the first picture that pops into my mind when I read about a unique decision-making process used by the Israelites.

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.

Sounds mysterious. Did these stones (the breastpiece constructed for Aaron contained various precious stones) work like a coin toss? Or a role of the dice? Maybe an ancient magic 8-ball?

These were certainly not a source of magic divination, as the Lord expressly prohibited such practices. Urim means light, and Thummim means perfection. Perhaps they symbolized the special relationship of the high priest before the Lord? A tool to determine the Lord’s guidance when no other way existed?

The mystery remains.

Jesus gave to those who follow him something far more powerful than the Urim and Thummim—the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth indwells the believer and serves as our source of wisdom and insight.

I know I don’t value this gift enough. Despite my forgetfulness, I’m grateful the Holy Spirit remains more personal—and much more accessible—than those stones of the ancient high priest.

Exodus 28 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Andy Henderson