URIM & THUMMIM - NYOBS 58.06

URIM & THUMMIM

First Word

·         Urim and Thummim (pronounced YOU rim & THUME em) signifying lights and perfection are something that very little is known or written about, therefore I must go out of the Bible to other writings to fill in the blanks such as was handed down by tradition, the Apocrypha and Josephus the 2,000 year old Jewish Historian who was a contemporary of the Apostle John.

·         There has been an attempt down through the ages to disregard the supernatural of the Bible and label it as a fable.  - If you do not believe in the supernatural, then this Word Study will be useless to you and your faith will be useless.

The Construction

·         No record has ever been found of a command that the Urim & Thummim be constructed; made or otherwise be required like the Priestly garments were.  - There has been No valid tradition that has survived from the time of their use as to their shape or material used.

·         It is thought that these two items were PASSED DOWN through the Patriarchs, Priest to Priest to be officially incorporated into the people’s worship. - They were thought to be precious stones that were of some material like gems which the Tetragrammaton; (YHWH) the Sacred Name of God had been engraved upon.

·         It is highly likely that both stones were the same; the front side would be the Urim and the reverse side would be the Thummim. – They were possibly flat and connected by a small chain with swivels.  – I must confess… that some students believe that there were two independent stones which could be drawn out individually, not both; giving Yes or No answer.  This seems highly unlikely to me if a decision could also come up as “undecided” or “neither”.

Numbers 20:28 – Passed down Priest to Priest; Aaron to Eleazar
²⁸ And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son. And Aaron died there on the top of the mountain.

1 Samuel 28:6 – Urim came up undecided – Did not answer
⁶ And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. (ESV)

Their Use

·          The High Priest wore the breastpiece of judgement (decision) over the front of the Ephod which formed a pouch in which the Urim and Thummim were placed. – They were LINKED to the breastplate and used to discover the Will of God concerning a matter, giving a Yes or No answer to their prayers. – (The Ephod carried the breastplate which carried the Urim & Thummim).

·         NOTE: Apparently the Urim & Thummim is sometimes assumed when the term Ephod is used; also there are no examples of negative answers recorded anywhere.

·         Some students believe the land was divided up among the 12 tribes by the use of the Urim and Thummim; others disagree since the larger portions of land went to the larger tribes, and the smaller portions to the smaller tribes.

·         When tossed out of the pouch, if both came up with the Urim (which means to curse) then the answer was negative. – If they both came up with the Thummim (which means to be perfect) then the answer was Affirmative.  – If there was one of each, then God’s answer was inconclusive. – Sounds like Chance doesn’t it, a roll of the dice; casting lots – Stay Tuned

Exodus 28:30 - Urim & Thummim placed inside the breastpiece
³⁰ And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly. (ESV)

Numbers 27:21 – Used to discover God’s Will for His people
²¹ And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.” (ESV)

1 Samuel 14:41 – Determine guilt or innocence
⁴¹ Therefore Saul said, “O LORD God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped. (ESV)

Numbers 26:55-56 – Land divided up by casting lots
⁵⁵ But the land shall be divided BY LOT. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
⁵⁶ Their inheritance shall be divided according to lot between the larger and the smaller.” (ESV)

Numbers 33:54 – Large tribe, large land – small tribe, small land
⁵⁴ You shall inherit the land BY LOT according to your clans. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance. Wherever the lot falls for anyone that shall be his. According to the tribes of your fathers you shall inherit.

1 Samuel 23:9 – Bring the Ephod here – (The Urim and Thummim)
⁹ David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” (ESV)

The Supernatural

·         Tradition has it that the 12 stones on the Breast Plate which represented the twelve tribes of Israel were capable of SUPERNATURAL ILLUMINATION to give Divine guidance in conjunction with the Urim & Thummim. - You may recall that Urim means “LIGHT”. – I hesitate to say that they would light up, but more like “shine”; a reflection of light. – The Oracular powers of the Breastplate came from the Urim and Thummim.

·         It gets better – The Breastplate stones were engraved with the 12 tribal names and in addition to those stones could be added stones representing Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jeshurun which completed the Hebrew Alphabet. – They would illuminate or shine “in turn” or “in succession” to give Divine pronouncements. - In my pea brain mind, I can see the Shekinah Glory of God reflecting off of them. – (Just saying) – You may recall the Thummim means “PERFECTION”.

·         Jeshurun means the “upright” and was a symbolic name for the people of Israel.  The name is used when God confronts Israel with warnings of judgment or promises of blessings.

·         I must say that some students of the Bible believe the glow of the Urim and Thummim caused the High Priest to go into a state of ecstasy or a trance in which God would speak to them. – I must also say that no one knows the exact nature of the Urim and Thummim nor even how to use them.

Deuteronomy 33:5 - Jeshurun – The People; tribes of Israel
⁵ And he was king in Jeshurun, When the heads of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Israel together. (ASV)

Deuteronomy 32:15 - Jeshurun – The People were warned
¹⁵ But Jeshurun (God’s people) waxed fat, and kicked: Thou art waxed fat, thou art grown thick, thou art become sleek; Then he forsook God who made him, And lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. (ASV)

Deuteronomy 33:26 – Jeshurun – Promises of blessings
²⁶ There is none like unto God, O Jeshurun (God’s people) Who rideth upon the heavens for thy HELP, And in his Excellency on the skies. (ASV)

Isaiah 44:2 – Jeshurun – Promises of blessings
² Thus saith Jehovah that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will HELP thee: Fear not, O Jacob my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, (God’s people) whom I have chosen. (ASV)

Exodus 24:17 - Shekinah Glory of God
¹⁷ And the appearance of the glory of Jehovah was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. (ASV)

Josephus – 3.7.5.163- The Breastplate was the ORACLE

163 – But in the void place of this garment there was inserted a piece of the bigness of a span, embroidered with gold and the other colors of the ephod, and was called Essen (the Breastplate), which in the Greek language signifies the ORACLE.

Their Disappearance

·         It is believed that because of the increase of the number of sanctuaries and perhaps at Saul’s insistence,  COUNTERFEIT STONES were reproduced and used locally as a matter of convenience where travel to seek answers at the central sanctuary might be impossible. Therefore there was a tendency to doubt the validity of their findings; thus their non-use.

·         That coupled with two evil priest named Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of the Prophet Eli; there was the belief that the outcome of the stones might be manipulated by them.

·         Maccabees in the Apocrypha is the last mention of the use of the Urim & Thummim when the temple altar was desecrated and the stones were removed from the Altar to a place in the mountains where they awaited a prophet, to tell how God would like to disposed of them. - NYOBS 47.29 - MACCABEES HOLY JIHAD – NYOBS 47.15 – HANUKKAH & YOM KIPPER FEAST

·         Their use was discontinued around the time of the destruction of Solomon’s Temple just after the Hebrews returned from exile in Babylon and at the death of the former prophets. The Breastplate LEFT OFF SHINING and became just a memory as God was displeased at the transgressions of his laws by His chosen people.

·         Interest had already fallen off because the Rabbis were already reading the Torah placing the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD on the same level of the Urim and Thummim; thus they could know God’s will for them and His people anytime.

·         Today, the Christian has been filled with the Holy Spirit and has the ability “within” to be able to discern God’s will in their everyday life through the reading of the Bible; His Word as well as attending Adult Bible Studies and Church.

·          Go thou and do likewise – Do not forsake gathering with other believers in the Church.  NYOBS 50.24 - RELATIONSHIP FELLOWSHIP

Ezra 2:63 – Out of Exile; Last “use” reference Urim & Thummim
⁶³ The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim. (ESV)

1 Maccabees 4:46 – Last “mention” of the Urim & Thummim 

So they took down the altar, and deposited the stones in the temple mountain, in a suitable place, until a prophet should come and declare what should be down with them.

Josephus – Book 3.8.9.21-22 – The Breastplate; QUIT shining

21 For as to those stones,

22 which we told you before, the high priest bare on his shoulders, which were sardonyxes, (and I think it needless to describe their nature, they being known to everybody,) the one of them SHINED OUT when God was present at their sacrifices; I mean that which was in the nature of a button on his right shoulder, BRIGHT RAYS darting out thence, and being seen even by those that were most remote; which splendor yet was not before natural to the stone. This has appeared a wonderful thing to such as have not so far indulged themselves in philosophy, as to despise Divine revelation. Yet will I mention what is still more wonderful than this: for God declared beforehand, by those twelve stones which the high priest bare on his breast, and which were inserted into his breastplate, when they should be victorious in battle; for so great a splendor shone forth from them before the army began to march, that all the people were sensible of God's being present for their assistance. Whence it came to pass that those Greeks, who had a veneration for our laws, because they could not possibly contradict this, called that breastplate THE ORACLE. Now this breastplate, and this sardonyx, LEFT OFF SHINING two hundred years before I composed this book, God having been displeased at the transgressions of his laws. Of which things we shall further discourse on a fitter opportunity; but I will now go on with my proposed narration. (The Works of Flavius Josephus)

Hebrews 10:24-25 – Don’t forsake assembling together in Church
²⁴ let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
²⁵  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (NKJV)

Luke 10:37 - Go, and do thou likewise – STUDY THE BIBLE
³⁷ And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (KJV)

THE TAKE AWAY

The details of the Urim and Thummim have been kept secret for a reason. 

Today some NUT would try to make them and sell them on TV to folks seeking God’s Will. God wants us to come to the Him, the Creator for answers not to a creation.

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                     

Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius Josephus Matthias

Apocrypha - Goodspeed

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Illustrated Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

King James Version Bible – KJV

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible - NIV

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wikipedia -

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney

BARABBAS CONSPIRACY - NYOBS 58.02

BARABBAS CONSPIRACY

The Great Exchange – The Substitutionary Atonement

First Word

·         We first hear about Barabbas at the trial of Jesus when Pilate tries to find a way to release Jesus unharmed to the people through “The Great Exchange”, but it didn’t go according to plan. – This is where we pick up the story…

A little background

·         Zelotes is a Greek word meaning “Zealous One”

• The Zealot Resistance was founded in the time of Quirinius around 6 to 7 A.D by a Galilean named Judas and a Pharisee by the name of Zadok. The Zealots were an underground political party; a fanatical Jewish sect that militantly opposed the Roman domination of Palestine.  – NYOBS 32.13 - ZEALOTS
• Judas the Galilean led the Zealots in an ill-fated revolt against the Romans; he was killed and his followers scattered, but the Zealot Resistance lived on.
• Oddly enough the Zealot’s beginnings were the same year Jesus was born and the tax decree had been made. - The Romans had ordered a census to be taken of the Jews for the purpose of TAXATION and the Zealots were objecting for two main reasons.
• FIRST; They took the position that no one should be honored as Lord or King but God Jehovah. – So they rejected the foreign rule of the Romans.
• SECOND; To pay taxes to an Emperor was considered Idolatry and blasphemous to God.
• The Zealots mantras was; “NO RULE BUT THE LAW, NO KING BUT GOD”.  They were greatly feared as they would kill you in cold blood just because you were a Roman.
• They had hope for a Messiah that would overthrow the Roman Government and restore the kingdom to Israel. – Two Disciples; Judas Iscariot and Simon the Zealot held the same “political views” and believed that Jesus was “The Man” that had come to restore Israel.
• The Zealots around 52 to 60 A.D. formed a radical group known as The Sicarii (dagger people) indicative of their tactics, who circulated in crowds during festivals and killed Roman sympathizers with daggers that they concealed in their clothing. – That certainly would include TAX COLLECTORS for Rome who were for the most part JEWS.
• The Sicarii were devoted supporters of God and His laws and secretly engaged in acts of intrigue, violence, force, deceptions plus ASSASSINATIONS of Roman soldiers and anyone else that opposed the resistance in order to keep it from achieving its liberating ends.
• Barabbas was the leader of such a group of men. - As I read through the Commentaries, I find some that want to condemn the Zealots for starting the Roman War and others that want to call them HEROS. – I leave it to you to decide.

Luke 2:1 – Romans decreed the Jews must pay taxes.

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. NIV

Acts 5:37 – Judas the Galilean Zealot led a revolt against Rome

37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. NIV

The Comparison

·         Barabbas comes on the scene as a deliverer of the Hebrew people from the oppression of Rome and was a favorite of the silent majority. - He had been arrested and charged with homicidal political terrorism; being a notorious revolutionary, an insurrectionist as well as being a bandit; a robber and a murderer.  – You could say he had a few flaws in his character.

·         Many think that the Zealot Barabbas was also named “Jesus” which was a common name, and to make sure that Pilate did not misunderstand which Jesus they were talking about”, they used the word “Bar-abbas” so as to not be confused with the other Jesus from Nazareth. - Bar means SON and Abba means FATHER; he was probably the son of a famous Rabi. - These thoughts arise because documented in some early 9^th century manuscripts and the Codex O, the rendering of his full name as found in Matthew 27:16-17 is written as “Jesus Barabbas”.

·         Barabbas was the son of the “Father” – His path was to overthrow Rome with the sword.

·         Jesus was also known as the Son of the Father - His path was peace and suffering which did not attract the masses as Barabbas did. - The Pharisees tried to get Jesus connected with The Zealot Resistance Movement by asking him the question; “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar”? – They were tricksters -

·         Jesus had been on the scene now for about 3 years and was also considered a deliverer of the Hebrew people from the power of Rome.

• Did you notice that we have TWO men named Jesus; TWO “Sons of the Father” – Both with a path for deliverance of Israel. - TWO paths; one of Peace and the other of the sword. - One was a Sinner; the other who knew no sin. – There are still TWO paths in life…

Mark 15:7 – Barabbas a REBEL; was in prison - Sinner
⁷ And among the REBELS in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. (ESV)

Matthew 27:16 - Barabbas a NOTORIOUS prisoner - Sinner
¹⁶ And they had then a notorious prisoner, called BARABBAS. (ESV)

Luke 23:19 – Barabbas an INSURRECTIONIST - Sinner
¹⁹ a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. (ESV)

Acts 3:14 - Barabbas was a MURDERER - Sinner
¹⁴ But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (ESV)

John 18:40 – Barabbas was a ROBBER - Sinner
⁴⁰ They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. (ESV)

Luke 23:4 – Jesus – No fault found - SINLESS
⁴ Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. (KJV)

Mark 12:13-17 – The Trick – Pay taxes or not – Zealot?

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.

14 They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?

15 Should we pay or shouldn't we?"

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to TRAP ME?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it."

16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" - "Caesar's," they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."  NIV

The Great Exchange

• The Mishnah Pesahim 8.6 ordains that the Passover Lamb may be offered for one whom they have promised to bring out of prison.
• There was a custom of amnesty at the Passover feast to release one prisoner each year and this time, instead of Jesus of Nazareth, the crowds shouted out to release Barabbas, the notorious ZEALOT, murderer and insurrectionist who was considered their HERO.
• The penalty of being charged with insurrection was the worst death possible; crucifixion on the cross on a public highway as a warning to everyone that passed by and saw him.
• Pilate repeatedly took Jesus aside into the judgment hall and questioned Him; the thought being; “Jesus if you will just cooperate with me, I can get you out of this mess and I can get myself off this Hot seat”; but Jesus would not defend Himself.
• Scripture seems to indicate that the crowd does not take a stand against Jesus, but are more like spectators; passive rather than hostile, till they are stirred up by the Chief Priest who wielded considerable influence. – The crowd had assembled to obtain the release of their Hero and insurrectionist Barabbas. – Jesus was just collateral damage, besides that, He had disappointed them in their hopes and expectations of a Messiah.  – NYOBS 18.18 - THE WAY OF THE CROSS
• Pilate condemns Jesus to death.  Pilate’s action was not prompted by the desire for justice, but by political and moral cowardice. – Barabbas was released and saved from crucifixion. – JESUS TOOK HIS PLACE. – This is known as “Substitutionary Atonement”.
• Did you see it? Jesus became the Passover Lamb and took the place of a condemned sinful man on the cross thereby sparing his life. – When Jesus died on the cross He also took our place and died for our sins.

John 19:3-4 - I find no fault in him – not guilty -
³ And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
⁴ Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

(KJV)

Matt 27:21 – Who do you want to be released

21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. NIV

John 18:40 – No not Jesus

40 They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion. NIV

John 19:6-7 – He said He was the Son of God - Crucify Him
⁶ When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
⁷ The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. (KJV)

Matt 27:20 – Release Barabbas

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

Luke 23:18-19 – Barabbas was an insurrectionist – A Hero

18 Away with this man! (Jesus) Release Barabbas to us!"

19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) NIV

Mark 15:15 – Pilate released Barabbas to the Crowd
¹⁵ So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. (NKJV)

The Choice

·         Did you see it? – It was Pilate who became on trial; he had to choose the way that he knew was right or the way of the world and his choice put the blood of Jesus Christ on his hands forever even though he tried to wash them.

·         Pilate then gave the Jews the same CHOICE of Jesus Barabbas or Jesus the Christ.

·         Today we have the same choice that the Hebrews had, as well as all the people of all races down through the centuries. – The choice of where to place our faith; in Jesus the Son of God or in Jesus the son of the world. – The Creator or the Creation.

·         If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey His commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.  – I didn’t say this; God did. –

·         Now you are the one that’s on trial; you must choose what you believe. – To make no decision is a decision to reject God’s only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. – If you accept, then EVERYONE will know it, because of how you live your life. -  Life is choice driven  –

Matthew 27:24 – You can’t wash your hands of His blood
²⁴ So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man;

1 Corinthians 1:18 – Path to the cross is foolish to the perishing
¹⁸ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 1:18-21 – The World does not know God
¹⁸ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
¹⁹ For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (ESV)    BELIEVER or MAKE-BELIEVER

1 John 2:3-4 - If you are a Believer then you will Obey God
³ And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.
⁴ If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                     

Apocrypha - Goodspeed

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

Illustrated Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The – Tyndale

King James Version Bible – KJV

Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest

Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan

New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas - Tenney

New International Version Bible - NIV

Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee

Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner

Wikipedia -

Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney