Urim and Thummim

The Urim and the Thummim were tools for discerning the will of God. (Numbers 27:21; I Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65) Urim and Thummim means ‘Lights and Perfections.’ It is not clear how it was used. It was a pair of stones, one light, and one dark. When a question or discernment is required, like taking a lot, one was taken. The light one means yes and the dark one means No.

Great explanation

One old preacher was asked about Urim and Thummim. He said, “Well, this is how I understand it. When I need to know God’s will, I get out my Bible and I do a lot of usin’ and thummin’ through my Bible, and God always speaks to me.”

Using and Thumbing

For some people, bibles are always new, as if purchased that day. It is kept clean by frequent dusting and neatly placed in a prominent place or showcase. Others never use it, when open an old book it smells, and even silverfish jump out of it. However, many God’s people use it several times a day, reading, studying, meditation, taking notes, underlining, highlighting, and referring. This can be termed as ‘Using and Thumbing’ the New Testament version of Urim and Thummim.

Renewal and Discernment

Making decisions is not easy, sometimes intimidating, and confusing as problems are complex with severe consequences. That is why Using and Thumbing of the Bible gives insights. First, the mind is renewed. Scripture helps us to take our eyes off trends, traditions, fashions, patterns, precedents, cultural practices, and unrighteous models from the world and focus on God’s Word. (Romans 12:2) With renewed mind a disciple could discern the pleasing, good, and perfect will of God.

Interpret times

Pharisees and Sadducees could watch the sky and clouds and could predict rain or storm, but could not discern the times. (Matthew 16:3) They had common sense but not spiritual sense of discernment. They were thought of as a natural person and not as a spiritual person. (I Corinthians 2:14)