The breastplate of judgment was a key component of the High Priest’s ceremonial attire within the Israelite religious system.
“You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, in skilled work; you shall make it in the style of the ephod; of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen you shall make it (Exodus 28.15).
Here’s some information I discovered from an internet article about the breastplate.
(1) The term “breastplate of judgment” carries profound symbolic and theological significance.
The Hebrew name for the breastplate is “hoshen mishpat,” where “hoshen” refers to the breastplate itself, and “mishpat” signifies “judgment” or “decision.” This emphasizes its role as a tool for divine communication and guidance.
(2) Positioned over the High Priest’s heart, it symbolized his role as an intermediary between the Israelites and God.
“There shall be twelve stones with names corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes” (Exodus 28:21).
It was the High Priest’s responsibility to carry the concerns, needs, and well-being of the entire nation before God.
(3) The term “judgment” or “decision” in the context of the breastplate highlights its role in seeking God’s guidance.
The High Priest could consult the Urim and Thummim to receive answers from God.
“So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart when he goes into the holy place, for a continual remembrance before the Lord.
“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 Israelites on his heart before the Lord continually” (Exodus 28.29-20).
The Urim and the Thummim literally mean “lights of perfection” and were used in times of crisis to determine God’s will. Just how they functioned and what they looked like is unknown.
Rudy Ross believes that they acted like dice and that one was black and one was white. If you got two whites, the answer was yes. If you got two blacks, the answer was no. And if you got a black and a white, the answer was maybe.
Based on Rudy’s experience with the Lord, he asks God’s questions, but the answer he looks for is not black or white.
Rather, he asks if in his spirit he hears the words, “Jesus is Lord.” When he hears that, he knows that God has answered him. If God doesn’t answer him that way, he waits upon God for the answer or accepts a “no.”
Today’s Application
We study the Old Testament to see a pattern for our role. We are, by the grace of God, a kingdom and priests to Him.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1.5-6).
There are some things that we can see from the high priest’s role that are also roles we can play today. First of all, the priest had access to God, and so do we.
As we come before the Lord, many prayers serve as models for how we can meet with Him. The Lord’s Prayer is the best.
Take a look at the Lord’s Prayer and see how you, as a priest – one who stands between God and human beings – can pray this both for God’s benefit and for those who are on your heart.
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be revered as holy.
May your kingdom come.
May your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one. (Matthew 6.9-13)
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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