Note:
The following message is the first part of a teaching that consists of two parts and will be published further in the near future.
It is recommended to read the message chronologically.
The Two Lot Oracles “Urim” and “Thummim”
In the word of God two lot oracles are mentioned, Urim (note: means “lights“) and Tummim (note: means “perfections, also holiness, truth, justice“). They are mentioned for the first time, when Aaron was high priest, and they were kept in the lot pocket of the High priest, which was worn on his chest above the heart, behind the square breastpiece (note: Choshen) with the gemstones of the twelve sons of Israel (see Exodus 28:15-21.29-31).
Exodus 28:15-21.29-30:
15 “Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions – the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen.
16 It is to be square – a span long and a span wide – and folded double.
17 Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings.
21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes. …
29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD.
30 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.
At this point it is precious to mention that the words “Urim” and “Thummim” form the centre of the Torah (note: means „teaching, instruction“; the five books of Moses), (see Leviticus 8:8).
Leviticus 8:8:
8 He placed the breastpiece on him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece.
To understand, when the two lot oracles were used by the high priest, we need to determine what an oracle is in the biblical sense and what it was used for.
What is an Oracle?
=> An Oracle is a divine message, given by God as an answer to a request regarding conduct, regulations or daily life.
Oracles are usually received by way of a priest. It is usually the prophet and the priest, who receive oracles.
The enquiry of the priests for Urim (note: lights) and Thummim (note: perfections, also holiness, truth, justice) in the Old Testament is an example for the answer of a requested oracle (see Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8).
The priestly lot oracle was usually consulted for military matters.
Urim is connected to the original source of light (note: „'ôr“) and the light of fire (note: „'ûr“), as one starts from the premise that the Hebrew word “'ûrim” derives from the words “'ôr” and “'ûr”.
Nowadays, the task of these two lots (note: revelation and truth) is taken over by the Holy Spirit, who has been poured out in our hearts (see John 16:13 i.c.w. Romans 5:5).
The answers through these two lots were evoked and granted by the instruction of God (note: Torah). Through answering by lot, God released His orders or explained them to His servants.
Oracles differ from prophecies, as one asks for them, and they are given as an answer to intercession or a request.
Prophecy comes as a direct initiative from God regardless of whether the prophet or recipient is awaiting the word.
Solomon's temple had an area for oracles (see 1 Kings 6:31= KJV translates the word oracle => “dĕbîr” = rear, the back room in the temple, holy of holies, back or also speaker), which was also described as back room. Oracles originated in the request.
Furthermore, they are often instructive and prescriptive in nature (note: prescribing), but they can also be a discourse (note: constructed action) of a specific speaking of the LORD. The Greek word for oracle is “logion”. It refers to “a speaking or the burden from the speaking of the LORD”.
In times gone by, oracles described the place of the conversation, as well as the speaking itself that the priest or prophet received as a messenger from God.
Oracles contain commandments and guidance, which are not necessarily predictive or revelatory in nature. The Hebrew word for oracle is “dābar” (to speak) and its base word is “dĕbîr“. It relates to the guidance one receives from God as an answer to a question (see Judges 6:36-40: placing of a fleece/oracle through Gideon). <= (based on the word explanation of the word “oracle” from the “Prophet`s Dictionary” by Paula A. Price, Ph. D.; pages 367 and 368, as well as from the Elberfelder Study Bible on the words “dĕbîr” and “dābar” with word key numbers 1719, 1728)
The Kingly Priesthood in the Eternal Order of Melchizedek
For the first time Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis 14:17-20, where Abraham stayed after his victory over the four kings in the valley of Shaveh – the King’s Valley.
Genesis 14:17-20:
17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
In this region, Melchizedek (note: means “king of righteousness”) came to meet him from Salem (note: means “peace”), who first appeared to him in authority as king and after he had presented Abraham with bread and wine (note: the attributes of the Lord's Supper => a reference to the Father's given love for mankind; see John 3:16 i.c.w John 3:16; John 6:53-56) was revealed as a priest of the Most High God who blessed him.
This led Abraham to give the king and priest Melchizedek his tithes of all.
In the above-mentioned Scripture it is not clearly stated that Abraham ate Melchizedek's bread and wine. One can, however, assume that this is the case.
By eating the two attributes of the Lord's Supper, which was still in the future at that time, Abraham received revelation of the true sacrifice.
This is made clear by the gratitude of Abraham towards Melchizedek, who gave him the tithe of all (see Psalm 34:8).
Psalm 34:8:
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
It was Melchizedek who, after defeating the kings, met Abraham in the King's Valley.
This encounter is a sign for us at this time that we should have a humble heart and be attentive to the spiritual war, which is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (see Ephesians 6:12 i.c.w. 1 Peter 5:5b).
Ephesians 6:12:
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 Peter 5:5b:
… 5b All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
When we walk with a humble heart in Christ and are aware of the spiritual battle, it becomes clear that we are residing and moving in the triumph of Jesus (see Colossians 2:14-15).
Colossians 2:14-15:
… 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Since, as already mentioned at the beginning of the message, the High Priest Aaron carried the two oracles Urim and Thummim over his heart and as well Melchizedek carried two attributes with him, bread and wine, it can be assumed that the two oracles are closely related to Melchizedek's two attributes.
As Jesus Christ, by His blood, placed us in the structure and position of His kingly priesthood according to the eternal order of Melchizedek, I would like to amplify the Holy Spirit in the form of the two lot oracles of Urim and Thummim, and explain how He serves in conjunction with the eternal and consuming light of the Heavenly Father (see Revelation 1:5-6 i.c.w. Hebrews 5:5-6).
Revelation 1:5-6:
… 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Hebrews 5:5-6:
5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him (see Psalm 2:7), “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
6 And he says in another place (see Psalm 110:4), “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Since the Holy Spirit has been poured out in our hearts, He holds a similar position as the lot oracles Urim and Thummim (see Romans 5:5 i.c.w. Exodus 28:29).
Romans 5:5:
5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Exodus 28:29:
29 “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD.
It is by the Holy Spirit in our hearts that we call unto the Heavenly Father as sons of God (see Galatians 4:6).
Galatians 4:6:
6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
The connection between the two oracles (note: Urim and Thummim) and the bread and wine of Melchizedek, who is the king and priest of the Most High God, makes it clear that the Holy Spirit can only move actively in us if we are completely centred in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and have the willingness to make sacrifices required by him. Only then can the Holy Spirit lead us into all truth (see Matthew 11:29 i.c.w. John 16:7.13)!
Matthew 11:29:
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
John 16:7.13:
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. …
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Aaron, the First High Priest
All that is first has a special place in the eyes of God (see Exodus 13:2; Exodus 23:19; Deuteronomy 26:2; Nehemiah 10:36-37), hence we should take a closer look at the first high priest at the time of the people of Israel – which was Aaron – who was the first to get in touch with the lot oracles of Urim and Thummim. The name “Aaron” means translated “light mountain, enlightenment” and points towards the shining presence of God, in Whom is no darkness (see James 1:17; 1 John 1:5).
James 1:17:
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
1 John 1:5:
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
The name explanation for Aaron clearly shows that the activation of the two lot oracles on the heart of the high priest could only work in conjunction with the pure i.e. holy light of the presence of God; and only when the priest was perfect or consecrated to the LORD, which was elucidated by the plate of pure gold with the inscription “holy to the LORD”, worn by the priest (see Exodus 28:36).
Exodus 28:36:
36 “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the LORD”.”
The Gleaming Light from the Throne Room of God
As Jesus Christ cleansed us by His blood and therefore enabled us to walk in the son-ship of God as kings and priests according to the eternal order of Melchizedek together with Him before the Heavenly Father, we are able through the Holy Spirit to receive the gleaming light that proceeds from the throne room of God like a lightening in our hearts.
The lightning carries the move of a characteristic trait of God, which He situationally wants to reveal at a certain time; this can be the lion, the ox, the human being and the flying eagle (see Ezekiel 1:10-11.13-14).
Ezekiel 1:10-11.13-14:
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.
11 Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body.
13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.
14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.
The Cherubs and the Nature of God
The Cherubs (note: means “glancing appearance, flashing light“) carry the respective characteristic trait of God and they are connected to His presence.
The ark of the covenant which was in the Holy of Holies had a gold cover. God ordered two cherubs to be carved out of this gold cover. The ark represents the presence of God; this is where the directive voice of the father is (see Exodus 25:18-22).
Exodus 25:18-22:
18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.
20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.
21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you.
22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.
Amen und Amen.
In Seiner Weisheit,
Daniel Glimm
For part II of the message please click here.
