How can we seek God's guidance today, as in Exodus 28:30? The Original Picture of Guidance “Place the Urim and Thummim into the breastpiece of judgment so that they will be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters to minister before the LORD. Aaron shall always bear the means of judgment for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD.” (Exodus 28:30) • The Urim and Thummim were physical objects given to the high priest to receive clear, decisive answers from God. • They showed that guidance is God-initiated, specific, and tied to a mediating priestly office. Why We No Longer Need Urim and Thummim • Jesus is now our perfect High Priest: “There is one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). • Through His finished work and the indwelling Holy Spirit, every believer can approach God directly (Hebrews 4:14-16). God’s Established Channels of Guidance Today 1. The Sufficient Word • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) • “All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • Scripture speaks with final authority; any leading that contradicts it is dismissed. 2. The Indwelling Spirit • “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) • “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) • The Spirit never bypasses or contradicts the written Word He inspired. 3. Prayerful Asking • “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3) • “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously… and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) • Guidance often unfolds as we persistently pour out our hearts and listen. 4. Godly Counsel • “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14) • Seasoned believers help test impressions against Scripture and experience. 5. Providential Circumstances • God “opens and no one will shut, and shuts and no one opens.” (Revelation 3:7) • Paul’s redirected travel plans in Acts 16:6-10 show how doors and roadblocks work with the Spirit’s leading. 6. The Peace of Christ • “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:15) • When choices align with God’s Word and ways, His peace normally confirms the path (Philippians 4:6-7). Practicing Discernment Daily • Read and meditate on Scripture regularly, noting commands and principles. • Pray specifically for wisdom before decisions, large or small. • Stay sensitive to the Spirit by keeping short accounts—confess sin quickly. • Seek input from mature believers who know both you and the Word. • Observe circumstances without superstition; watch for God’s timing. • Move forward when Scripture, Spirit, counsel, circumstances, and peace converge. Guardrails Against Misguidance • Never substitute feelings, dreams, or signs for clear biblical teaching (Galatians 1:8). • Refuse shortcuts like random verse-flipping divorced from context. • Avoid voices that add to or subtract from Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). • Test every impression: “Examine all things; hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Living Under the Greater High Priest The Urim and Thummim pointed to a God who loves to guide. Today, that same God speaks through His finished Word, His indwelling Spirit, and His providential hand. As we walk in obedience and dependence, we can be as confident in His direction as Israel was when the high priest carried judgment over his heart—only now, our assurance rests in the One who carries us there Himself. |
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