Memorials in the Bible
Good morning,
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating those who have died in wars.
God has given us many memorials. This week we will look at three of them.
PRIEST’S GARMENTS
28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.30 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. (Exodus 28:28-30)
Exodus 28:28-30 describes the Urim and Thummim and their purpose in the breastplate of judgment worn by the High Priest, Aaron. The verses state that the High Priest would bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on his heart, and that the Urim and Thummim would be placed within the breastplate to help him discern God’s will and make judgments on behalf of the people.
The Urim and Thummim were a pair of objects, often described as stones, used by the high priest of ancient Israel to seek divine guidance. They were kept in the breastplate of the priestly garment, called the ephod. The Urim and Thummim were used to determine God’s will in important matters, such as seeking answers to questions or judging the innocence or guilt of individuals.
7 And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses. (Exodus 39:7)
Exodus 39:7 describes the placement of the onyx stones on the shoulders of the ephod, the priestly garment. The stones were engraved with the names of the six tribes of the Israelite tribes. This symbolized the priests carrying the burden of the people’s names, or interceding for them.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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