The Urim and Thummim: A Means of Revelation in Ancient Israel

Links: 3. Biblical Revelation, -- 1 Samuel --
Tags: #book , #non-fiction , #OT
Created: 2025-03-11 11:53

### Cornelis Van Dam - The Urim & Thummim 1997

1 - Introduction

Overwhelming scholarly consensus is that the Urim and Thummim were a form of lot Oracle
This theory does not satisfy all of the available evidence
The urim and thummim are not described
they were to be used when a civil ruler approach the high priest for divine direction numbers 27
All instances of them being used occur between the time of the judges and the time of David
While 1 Samuel 14:41 in the LXX mentions the urim and Thummim and equate it with lot Oracle the passage is problematic

2. Chronological Summary of Interpretations Early and medieval interpretation**

LXX
- Associated with the concept of
  - Revelation and Truth (pentateuch and Samuel)
  - Light and perfection (later traditions of Ezra and Nehemiah)
    - Subsequently found in the Samaritan targum and the Peshitta
- Considerably impacted the early and medieval Christian Church
At Qumran light and flashing (possibly confirmatory) were associated with the UT
Aramaic targums
- Concepts of illumination, manifestation, and perfection
- Also found in Talmud
Thoughts about what the urim and thummim were
- Qumran - the stones on the breastplate
- Josephus - the stones with supernatural light flashing from them
- Philo - the breast piece but not specifically with the gems
- Theodoret of Cypress - the gems
- Procopius of Gaza - two stones on the breastplate in addition to the 12
- Epiphanius and Augustine - a single gem that would become bright or change color
  - Augustine also held open the possibility that the words and thummim were written on the breastpiece with letters
- Targum pseudo-Jonathan - a description of the Name
- Lxx of 1 Samuel 14:41 - a lot Oracle
- Babylonian Talmud - protruding letters
Both early Jewish and Christian writings interpret the urim and theorem in an allegorical method
Little intrinsic interest in the church fathers and medieval Christianity
In medieval Judaism the Messianic expectation was great and this included the implication that the urim and thummim would once again function
From the 16th to the 18th century
16th century
- A period when great caution was exhibited in discussing the urim and thummim
- Interpretations would generally similar to or variations of earlier ones
- No consensus existed
- Among the Protestants was often stressed that they pointed to the messiah
Seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
- Studied and debated vigorously
- Continued examination of and building on past interpretations
- First serious attempts to relate them to the ancient near Eastern world
  
  The nineteenth and twentieth centuries
Interest continued unabated early on
Growing influence of archaeology
- Resulting in a huge variety of ideas
The lot theory came into dominance
Prospects
since the 16th century there is a resistance to interpreting the urim and thummim on the premise that there is simply not enough information
We need to study the scriptural data carefully
6 - Revelation and Divination
Divine revelation in human inquiry and Israel
Methods of Revelation and inquiry
- God's acts of Salvation or judgment were not the media of Revelation but were only correctly understood because of the Divine word which proceeded or accompany them
- Means
  - Direct speech to the whole people
  - Through a prophet
  - Dreams and visions
  - Written word such as the Torah or written prophecy
  - Through the angel of the Lord with whom he was identified
- God usually took the initiative, but special requests could also be made
  - Signs
  - Lots
  - Urim and thummim
- "Saal be" followed by either Yahweh or Elohim is a formula specifically used for the use of the urim and thummim
- Biqqes and Daras are also used to refer to an inquiry of God, without any fixed word formula
  - Context is decisive for determining that it refers to an inquiry of God
  - Biqqes - used with prayer and using the urim and thummim
  - Daras - used with prayer and enquiry of God in which the prophets act as mediators of Revelation
Excurses: Biqqes and daras and inquiring of God
- Biqqes
  - In some cases denotes inquiring of God
  - 2 Sam 21:1 - David seeking God regarding the three-year famine. No specific details concerning a manner of inquiry are given, but this passage is often considered to refer to the urim and thummim
  - 2 Sam 12: 16 - David seeking God concerning the sick child, most likely referring to fervent prayer and not revelation
  - There is no consistent phraseology involving biqqes referring to requesting oracles
- Daras
  - Often found in parallelism with biqqes
  - Often used when Prophets acted as the mediators
  - Also used the seeking God In prayer
Ancient near Eastern analogues to prophecy
- God's means of revelation were means that were familiar to those in the Near East
- There were also prophets of the false gods
- They were however different presuppositions
  - The false prophets had a marginal role whereas the biblical prophets had an important official role in Revelation
  - The false prophets often were tested by the use of omens, while God's prophets were accepted as authoritative
- There were similar features
  - Intuitive nature of prophecy as opposed to mechanical inductive definition
  - The consciousness of mission experience by the spokesperson
  - The addressing of royalty in times of political or military stress
  - There were false prophets who received their messages in dreams
    The prohibition of divination - VERY IMPORTANT
The Divine ban on divination
- All types of divination were banned (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)
  - Divination
  - Interpretation of signs
  - Looking for omens
- Divination (qsm)
  - Appears to be a general designation for divination, although it sometimes refers specifically to the use of lot oracles, teraphim, hepatoscopy, and necromancy
  - Prov 16:10 - used with positive connotations most likely related to the use of the lot to settle difficult questions
- Interpreting signs (meonen)
  - Various interpretations of this word
    - Interpreter of signs
    - One who raises spirits
    - Soothsayer (most common)
    - Reciter of charms
  - Whichever one it is, it is related to divination
- Looking for omens (menahes)
  - Divination through looking for omens and signs
- The prohibited definition may be defined as illegitimate attempts on a part of human beings to obtain knowledge or direction not normally available
- Two categories of divination
  - Provoked
    - Sacrificing to observe animal entrails
    - Casting lots
  - Unprovoked
    - Astronomical phenomena
    - Dreams
- In both cases the human is the one who interprets
- Revelation means divine self-disclosure to men, but the diviner always takes the initiative in discovering the import of divine communication
- Why was divination prohibited?
  - Deuteronomy 18: God promises his people that he would speak to them and guide them by means of prophets whom he himself raised up
  - This there was no need to resort to divination
  - Other reasons
The self-revelation of God and divination
- The sharp contrast between the religious presuppositions of Israel and her Near Eastern neighbors shows why their form of divination was so odious to God
- The Covenant demands stipulated in the first two Commandments show this
- First commandment
  - Sets God apart from all other gods
  - God has just triumphed over the gods of Egypt and has affirmed Israel as a special Covenant people
  - Therefore Israel had to have allegiance to God alone
  - Israel was to be holy because God was holy
  - Israel was to be completely different from all the nations and dedicated to the service of God alone
  - They could inquire of God in various ways but could not try to force Revelation from God
  - If God was silent than Israel was expected to walk by faith and live according to God's will as recorded in the law
- Second commandment
  - Images of God were forbidden
  - This was unimaginable by Israel's neighbors
    - They considered their gods as part of the creation
    - They could gain control of their gods via the image
    - When there were natural catastrophes the gods were clearly behind it and images could be used to exert control over their gods
    - There was no qualitative difference between gods and Men
    - When divination took place via the idols the priests were not averse to manipulating the results
      - Via falsifying messages from the god
      - Via magic to manipulate Good and evil
  - God was not to be controlled or manipulated
    - He is the Creator and stands above creation
    - He chose when and whether to reveal himself to Israel his chosen people
    - He spoke directly to his people
    - His presence or Revelation didn't have to be deduced, but was obvious to all
    - He showed that he was to be feared
    - No magic or force of creation could be successfully rallied against him
    - He could not be manipulated
  - Yet this did not stop Israel from trying to do this, the thinking of those around them was ingrained in them as well
  - For Israel's neighbors there was a fate that was above the gods, to which the gods had to submit
    - it was assumed that the system of signs and omens was basically autonomous and self-operating
    - Once an omen was associated with a certain past event, it could be correlated to such events in the future as well
    - through scientific deductions from omens on the basis of detailed catalogs, man endeavor to find out what the future held in store for him
    - This was a Mesopotamian divination technique that was also practiced among the Hittites and in Canaan and also came to be found in Egypt
  - this fate was inoperative without the gods, and it seemed to be deemed to exist alongside the gods as well as in them
  - For Israel God was in complete control
    - To worship or pay respect to Fortune or Destiny meant forsaking God
    - God was one that determined everything including the future and was not under control of the omens
  - However the urim and thummim worked, they had to work within the framework of God's control
The practice of forbidden divination in Israel
- Although divination was prohibited it was nevertheless practiced in Israel
- Diviners are mentioned along with the false prophets in the warnings of the prophets
- Specific methods of divination used by Israel
  - 1 Sam 15:23 etc. - Teraphim
  - Hos 4:12 - use of a rod or arrows
  - 2 Kings 16:15 - although some suggest this refers to inspecting entrails there is not sufficient evidence to warrant this
    - Altars weren't used for inspection of entrails but only for sacrificing
    - Some suggested Amos also practice this, but this cannot be substantiated
    - The laws directing the burning of the appendage of the liver can also be understood within the context of prohibition of hepatoscopy as this appendage was necessary for it
  - there's no real evidence for Joseph practicing divination using water in Genesis 44:5
- While divination did happen in Israel, the exact method isn't always specified and God condemned it
  The method of investigation
First examine the terms urim and thummim
then focus on understanding what scripture says about the identity and use of the urim and thummim
- Looking at scripture texts that specifically refer to them
- Provisional conclusions will be drawn when the evidence warrants it
then look at the urim and thummim in more detail within the context in which they were first mentioned
- In relation to the high priest and his garments, including the ephod and breast piece
the urim and thummim will be considered within the framework of the high priest's responsibilities within the theocracy
- Also look at the place and prominence that the urim and thummim have in the blessing of Levi in Deuteronomy 33:8
Then look at the instances that demonstrate when and how the urim and thummim were used in inquiring of God
To make sure the attempted solution is not at odds with the greater context we need to keep in mind:
- The basic principles of the prohibition of divination
- The larger framework of divine revelation and human inquiry
Their place within the theocracy and divine revelation will be considered
11 - How Did the Urim and Thummim Function?
the key reason that the urim and thummim could not have been a form of lot Oracle is a nature of some of the answers that were received
Revelation by UT Compared to the Lot
Yahweh could have revealed his will through the lot and did so in allotting the tribes their land and choosing the goat on the day of atonement etc
- These were often binary issues
Matters for which the urim and thummim could be used could be far more complicated
- Such as war, where God guided his people in war
there was something very lively and direct about receiving Revelation through the urim and thummim
- The answer was conveyed in terms of Yahweh speaking
- This was always the case with the urim and thummim, but never with lots
- This underlines the limited capabilities of lots
In 2 Samuel 5:23-24 God gives long detailed instructions
In 2 Samuel 2:1 there was a virtual conversation between David and Yahweh
In Judges 20 God at in the first two occasions does not give Assurance of victory against Benjamin but does so in the third occasion
With the lot it would have taken a long time to get an answer to complex situations as the people would have had to ask exact particular questions
- This would have been impractical in times of war when the urim and thummim were used
With the urim and thummim God could answer the question even if the Inquirer did not quite know how to phrase the question
- For example the response to "Has the man come here yet?" is, "Behold he has hidden himself among the baggage." 1 Samuel 10:22.
The urim and thummim were suited for Yahweh to lead and guide his people in war as well and as in other important matters but which God had not yet revealed his will
Prophecy must have been involved in giving the answers as that is the only means of Revelation that can adequately account for the complexity and subtlety of some of the answers received
- The terminology of Yahweh speaking and freely responding to specific questions points in this direction as well
  The Involvement of Prophecy
Prophecy already existed before the urim and thummim
So is not enough to simply speak of prophecy
- the evidence unmistakably indicates that the urim and thummim:
  - was a physical entity necessary in dispensing of Revelation
  - Was likely handled in some way
- 1 Samuel 28:6 explicitly differentiates between the urim and thummim and prophecy
  Data From Ezra 2:63 (And Neh 7:65)
Among the list of people who had returned from Babylon where some priests who cannot prove their ancestry
They were excluded from the priesthood until a priest for urim and thummim should appear
no indication is given of what happened, although there is some reason to assume that at least the family or lineage of Hazzok did later receive Priestly rights
- This does not mean that the urim and thummim were used, as they could have found proof another way
What is clear is that:
- The urim and thummim had not being forgotten
- The governor had an expectation that God would use this means of revelation
the people did not have to wait until the urim and thummim should appear for the priest, instead until a priest for the urim and thummim should appear
- The availability of the urim and thummim did not seem to be the issue
- The availability of a high priest did not seem to be the issue
Thus it seems that the issue seems to be waiting until Yahweh enabled a high priest to use the urim and thummim
- An oracle could not be forced from God via the urim and thummim
  A Proposal
It seems certain that God's gift of prophetic inspiration played a major role in giving an answer
- It would explain the type of answers received via the urim and thummim
Jewish tradition already speaks of this
the high priest being equipped by God with prophetic inspiration may also have an indicated by describing the high priests as being clothed with the urim and thummim
- 1 Esdras 5:40
- Targums of Deuteronomy 33:8
the fact that at times the urim and thummim could not be used begs the question of how could they knew that it could not be used
The urim and thummim was not used in secret, but it could be witnessed by those present
- When David wanted to inquire of Yahweh he asked Abiather to bring the ephod with the urim and thummim to him
- After the Israelites were twice defeated in war against Benjamin they unquestionably accepted the assurance of Yahweh that the victory was now theirs
- In 1 Samuel 23:2-3 David's fearful men did not accept the first message that they should attack the Philistines, but after David inquired again they did accept it
  - Possibly they witnessed the second inquiry
- The fact that the men excluded from the priesthood in Ezra 2 apparently acquiesced to the fact showed that they were satisfied that no use could be made of the urim and thummim
We don't know for sure how the people could see that the urim and thummim were used
- Masoretic vocalization of urim and thummim seems to indicate that light was a vital characteristic
- Urim and thummim could refer to "perfect light"
- Thus the urim and thummim could refer to a gem that would emit light when there was Revelation from Yahweh
While this theory does take into consideration the biblical evidence it cannot be proven
- It would fit well into the larger picture of divine Revelation and prohibition of divination
  - God speaking through inspired intermediaries with a well-established manner of communicating with his people
  - In distinction from divination this reaffirms the primacy of word revelation for Israel
  - This would address the manipulative possibilities of divination
  - Yahweh would have been linked in the most conspicuous manner with any Revelation given
- There were other times when God used signs to confirm his message such as with Gideon and Saul
- If one associates light with a urim and thummim is possible that they are alluded to or refered to elswhere in Scripture
  - Psalm 43:3, send forth your light and your truth
  - Hosea 6:5, your judgment goes forth like the light
  - Psalm 119:105, your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
- There's a long tradition, as early as qumran, associating oracular and even authenticating light with a urim and thummim
- the question can be raised whether an ancient Near Eastern analog to the urim and thummim as interpret here, can be found in the teraphim
Analogous functioning of the teraphim?
- The teraphim (identified as an image or images) functioned as the substitute for the urim and thummim with illegitimate ephods
- It may have had an oracular function even in patriarchal times
- Did the teraphim act as a substitute for the urim and thummim because light function somehow in the process of using the teraphim for divination?
- Lights were used in the ancient Near East for divination, including the use of light reflection off of gems etc
- Entomology can be used to support the idea that the teraphim was related to light
- There is not enough evidence to confirm this theory, but the possibility does leave open the option that the urim and thummim replaced the teraphim as a "perfect light"
  Class Notes
  1 Samuel 14#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.” - Bolded text only found in LXX & V - not in H. So unlikely to be original.

Concluding Observations On the Identity of the UT

It had a physical identity
It was not a lot Oracle
Prophecy must have been closely related to it
It was entrusted to the high priest by God
It was stored in the breastpiece which was mounted on the ephod
It could be referred to as simply as urim or by reference to the ephod
Teraphim functioned as a substitute for the urim and thummim with illegitimate ephods
those who sought to inquire of God through the urim and thummim needed to approach the high priest
- This underlines a mediating character of the office within the theocracy
a wide variety of questions pertaining to national well-being qualified for inquiry of God with the use of the urim and thummim
It probably consisted of a single gem
The name can best be understood as "perfect light"
a miraculous light verified that the message given by the high priest was indeed from God
teraphim may have involved light divination and thus have been an attractive surrogate urim and thummim
Closing Reflections
The lot theory may have been popular and unquestioned because of the popularisation of the separation of priesthood and prophecy in the last hundred years or so
- This theory joins the two offices
the theory of supernatural light and close conjunction with the urim and thummim has been theorized since the earliest interpretations but fell out of support from the 17th century on link to the rise of rationalism
- Rationalism should not be allowed to dismiss the theory if the Hebrew Scriptures does not disallow it
  12 - The Origin and Demise of the UT
  When and Under What Circumstances the UT Ceased to Function
There is no evidence that the urim and thummim were used after the time of David
When one would have expected it to be mentioned there is no reference to it (2 Chronicles 13:4-12)
David's high estimation and use of professional counselors suggest the beginning of a trend away from seeking divided guidance directly (either by prophets or the urim and thummim) at critical junctures
There were occasions when one might have expected inquiry via the urim and thummim in accordance with the provisions of Numbers 27:21, instead prophets were sought after
- A direct appeal to Yahweh in prayer was answered by Yahweh granting the victory
- A direct appeal to Yahweh through one inspired by the Spirit of Yahweh received an answer
- is not justifiable to draw a direct correlation between the increased use of prophets and the demise of the urim and thummim
- This observation is based on:
  - The use of prophets in the days of the judges and the early days of the monarchy
  - The difference between Revelation received by prophecy (where God use usually took the initiative) and by the urim and thummim (where humans had to take the initiative)
it seems likely that priestly unfaithfulness played a role in the demise of the urim and thummim
- this also increase the pressure on the priests and Levites to teach the Revelation that had already been given to Israel
Identifying a time when the urim and thummim were first used is difficult
- Exodus 28 + 39 seem to imply their prior existence by not describing the urim and thummim or their manufacture
- They may have been an ancient revelatory means, and their official inclusion in the high priestly dress would have been the noteworthy the event
  13 - Revelation, Offices, and the UT
This chapter deals with the place of the urim and thummim within the larger framework of God self-revelation to Israel
- Why did God use a physical object in the process of making his will known?
- Of what importance was this revelatory means in Yahweh's guiding his people?
- Is there an overarching theological rationale for the demise of the urim and thummim
  Key Features Of the UT
  Divine Approval and Demand
Why was the urim and thummim to be used?
- God ordained it
  - God considered the urim and thummim his means of Revelation
- God accommodated himself to the level of his people
  - Living in the ancient world with its divination, God's people may have been accustomed to the use of a physical aid in receiving oracles
  - The urim and thummim likely existed in Israel prior to their inclusion in the high priestly breastpiece
  - They may have replaced the teraphim
    The Importance and the Limits of the UT
It was entrusted to the high priest who was required to bear it on his heart before Yahweh continually
It is mentioned before other responsibilities entrusted to the tribe of Levi and Deuteronomy 33:8-10
Through it Yahweh gave his decision or judgement so that his people could be guided in his ways
On matters of national significance could be brought to God by the high priest, and even difficult legal decisions
Thus the urim and thummim were crucial for a good Covenant relationship between God and his people
It had some clearly defined limits and was not to be used under all circumstances
- There were occasions when the lot was apparently more appropriate
  - When dividing the land they used lots in accordance with God's direct instruction so there was no need to seek more direction by means of the urim and thummim
  - Lots were used when choosing Israel's first king and were a way to publicly confirm to Saul what he had already been told privately
- On the basis of these two examples it seems that the urim and thummim were only to be used when additional revelation on procedure was needed by the leaders
- An additional limiting factor was that the urim and thummim had to be used at the initiative of God's people, so faithful obedience was required in order to receive God's guidance
- If God's people were not faithful they would not receive Divine guidance
  The Place of the UT in God's Rule of Israel
  The Time of Joshua and the Judges
There is no record of Joshua using it, although he should have used it before making a covenant with the Gibeonites
- Having the possibility of using it also involved the obligation to faithfully use it
- Not using it had negative consequences for the people
During the time of the Judges it seems Israel used it to see who should first attack the Canaanites, and they also used it in a relation to fighting against Benjamin
During most of the time of the Judges it was not used faithfully
- Everyone did what was right in their own eyes
- Gideon set up a golden ephod, even though he had received direct speech from Yahweh, possibly because he considered himself privileged in view of God's earlier communication and imagined that he could expect for the Revelation from God whenever he desired
- The high priest is only mentioned once in the book
  - The position seems to have had low regard
- The Danites inquired of God by the means of Micah's illegitimate ephod concerning their future plans rather than conquer the territory already assigned to them by God
God did speak to the people via the prophetess Deborah and another prophet mentioned in Judges 6
It seems that Joshua may not have used it much because God took the initiative and often spoke directly to him so there was less need for him to make use of it
During the time the Judges the urim and thummim appear not to be used much, although at least two illegitimate ephods were functioning, and God usually ruled over Israel via judges including a prophetess and at least one prophet
The Time of Samuel, Saul, and David
Most mentions of the use of the urim and thummim are found in this period
The importance of the high priest in God's rule over Israel was much more evident in these years
Eli the high priest judge Israel for 40 years
- He had the dual capacity of high priest and judge
- He was entrusted with the urim and thummim
- His last years as judge and high priest were not exemplary
- A prophet came to proclaim God's judgement because of the sin of his family
In 1 Samuel 14, when Saul wanted to pursue the Philistines by night, and the people agreed, the high priest said that they should draw near to God first. However, no answer was given by God because Saul's oath had been broken.
The high priest and the urim and thummim likely played a role in the confirmation of Saul as the first human king of Israel and also played an important part in David's life as he rose to the throne
In 1 Samuel 22 Ahimelech states to Saul that he had often required of God for David
- Probably with Saul's consent and on his behalf
- Numbers 27:21 said it only the civil leader was expected to make use of it
- the fact that David felt justified to inquire of God via the urim and thummim showed that he was aware of his being anointed by Yahweh to be Israel's next king, and the fact that God answered him confirms that he had the right to inquire
- Abiather took the urim and thummim to David's camp
  - Saul, who had already been punished with the withdrawal of the Spirit now also lacked the urim and thummim
  - Saul now went about blindly without Divine direction
- After Saul's death David first inquired of God, likely with the urim and thummim, as to what to do
- After David was King there are likely only two uses of the urim and thummim
  - While fighting the Philistines in 2 Samuel 5
  - When seeking the cause of the three-year famine
- While David made considerable and proper use of it before he became king he seems to make a little use of it afterwards
- As the prophets functioned during David's reign, God's silence concern the reason for the three-year famine apparently compelled David to find out the cause, likely by the high priestly use of the urim and thummim
  Summary
No use of the urim and thummim by subsequent monarchs is mentioned
Although immediately after the exile there was desire to use the urim and thummim, Yahweh apparently made no use of this means of Revelation
The Place of the UT in God's Self-Revelation: An Overview
The UT and the Office of Priest and Ruler or King
God entrusted the urim and thummim to the high priest who can inquire of God on behalf of Israel's leaders concerning matters of national significance about which God had not already clearly made known his will - Numbers 27:21
The king or leader going to the high priest acknowledged God's kingship
The fact that the high priest received the urim and thummim shows that the leaders could only approach God for revelation on the basis of the high priestly ministry of reconciliation
Both the ruler or King and high priest were an instrument in God's hand for the purpose of giving Israel rest
- The ruler or King sought for physical peace and the urim and thummim was needed when additional revelation, Divine direction, and wisdom were needed
- Together the king and the high priest provided complete rest for God's people from all enemies, including sin
To say that there was no mention of the urim and thummim because rest was granted during David's day is unwarranted because it was also used to inquire about things other than war and David likely inquired of it after rest was present
the dependence of the office of King on the office of the high priest anticipate the eventual union of the offices in the promised Messiah - see Hebrews 7:11-22
- on the basis of his perfect high priestly work of reconciliation, he who is the wisdom and Word of God and reveals the mind of God leads his people decisively by his Word and Spirit to the rest that still remains for God's people
  The UT and the Office of Prophet
Prophets eventually took the place of the high priest with the urim and thummim
The urim and thummim were a mechanical aid for receiving revelation, and was likely an accommodation to contemporary customs, so God eventually leading his people away from this particular means is not so surprising
the transition from the urim and thummim to the use of the prophets was unannounced and in a sense gradual
- Already in the time of the judges Yahweh use Prophets
- When David did not have access to the urim and thummim God used Prophets
factors such as the growing reliance on human counselors and the unfaithfulness of priest were used by God in his sovereign leading away from the urim and thummim, which in his wisdom was a means no longer needed in Israel
- The apparently unsuccessful attempts to return to the use of the urim and thummim in postexilic times underlines this development
an important implication of the new emphasis on prophets is Israel all the more needed to heed God's warnings about the false prophets and to be able to distinguish between false and true prophets according to the guidelines already given in Deuteronomy 13 and 18
- Such warning was never given concerning the high priest with the urim and thummim
- This presupposed a certain spiritual maturity as in order to differentiate the Word of God had to be known
  - A key criterion by which to judge prophecy was whether it agreed with the Revelation that God had already given
- The Levites were responsible for teaching God's judgments and law - Deuteronomy 33:10
In times of Reformation reading and teaching from God's Word received attention and unfaithfulness in this respect was condemned
prophets regularly warned and called God's people and king back to obedience to the Word already given
The progression from the relatively easy certainty by physical means of Revelation such as the urim and thummim to the more difficult discernment of true and false prophecy is not an isolated phenomenon
- there's a movement from special miraculous signs to the word alone, to be discerned according to God's norms
- Signs were given to King Jeroboam I, who had appointed his own priesthood, and Ahab, who promoted the worship of Baal to show that the message spoken by God's prophets was true and needed to be taken to heart
- Signs confirming the word were also given later, in times of crisis in the Kingdom of Judah
- It became more customary for God to give signs illustrating or symbolizing the word
- The Word was placed on the foreground more and more
- In this way, God sought to nurture maturity in Israel
  The Word Alone
Eventually the time came when God no longer even sent Prophets
After Malachi there was no prophet until John the Baptist
the loss of the use of the urim and thummim in the giving of Revelation was later followed by the withdrawal of the prophets
In this way God was showing the people that they had already had all they needed to know to answer all the important questions concerning their well-being and salvation until Christ came
Christ's coming dawned a new age in God self-revelation
- The fulfillment of all Old Testament Revelation would be revealed in the promised Messiah, the word who became flesh
- In him the office of prophet would find its fulfillment
  - And also the urim and thummim