Empathy Needs a Home

“And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.” (Ex 28:30 AV)

There is much speculation of the Urim and Thummim.  One source I read seems to think they were two plates sewn into the breastplate of judgment and they were pulled out when the high priest needed a decision from the LORD as to how to judge a certain matter of national importance.  This judgement was not a decision of a practical nature, but more like a verdict of national implications.  The high priest would enter the holiest of holies, apply the blood to the mercy seat, and then petition the LORD regarding a national matter.  He would pull out either the Urim or Thummim and depending on the result, would bring God’s decision back to the people.  At least that is what one source said.  These two words mean lights and perfection, respectively.  They were not like a white or black marble.  Somehow, the Urim and Thummim assisted in discerning the judgment of God upon the people and the High Priest was to bear that judgement upon his heart.

Every great leader takes personally the sins of his people.  Even if he is not guilty of those sins nor caused them to be, he is still bothered by them.  At least, he should be.  He should carry on his heart the judgement of God which he knows is coming because of their sins.  Moses did this.  Nehemiah did this.  Ezra did this.  David did this.  Job exemplified this.  These men, and many more, internalized the faults of his people and they allowed the shortcomings of the people to bother them.  They were plagued in the hearts and minds when the people disappointed the LORD.  This cross is a heavy one to bear.  This burden is a weighty one.  It is a burden that is almost too much to overcome if the sins of the people exceed their holiness.  This is how Paul felt regarding Corinth.  Paul says, “But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.” (2Co 2:1 KJV) This is because the first time he came to them, he came with great heaviness.  They were guilty of childish infighting, ridiculous competition, sexual immorality, and financial selfishness, and gender confusion, among other things.  Paul was moved because he knew what the LORD would do about all this.  He was upset at their disobedience.  But he was also disturbed with the nature and consequences of their sin.

Regardless of the exact meaning of the Urim and Thummim, the point was for Aaron and the High Priests who would follow was to empathize, identify, and take personally the judgement of God upon the people to whom they ministered.  When we preach, are we merely rebuking without identifying?  Are we yelling at the sheep because they deserve it?  Or, rather, are we imploring them to listen to the word of God and the promises it contains so as to implore them to change course?  What is our heart’s attitude towards the messages God gives us?  Are they bathed in prayer?  Do we visualize what it would be like if the sheep do not heed?  Are we bothered by the outcome if the do not listen to the voice of God?  Are we heartbroken when the sheep fall into destructive sin?  Or, do we get our gander up and give them a message with the attitude of “I told you so?”  If we are to lead, are to do so with the understanding our sheep need our empathy and understanding not matter what they might be into.  We should take it as though we ourselves are going to receive the correction of God.  This is the meaning of wearing the judgement of God upon your heart.