Decision Making

Exodus 39:21: "They tied the rings of the breastpiece to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband so that the breastpiece would not swing out from the ephod-as the LORD commanded Moses."

The high priest, as intercessor for the people of Israel before the Lord, had to wear very specific garments when he entered the Lord's presence in the Tabernacle. Two of these garments were the linen ephod (made with strands of gold and blue/purple/scarlet yarn) and the breastpiece. The purpose of the ephod was to present the names of the 12 tribes before the LORD when the designated priest entered the Holy of Holies to offer the atonement sacrifice for the sins of the covenant community. Specifically, the names of the tribes were inscribed on two onyx stones in gold filigree settings mounted on the shoulder pieces of the ephod so that the priest could 'bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD [Exod. 28:12].'


The breastpiece was made like the ephod; it contained gold, blue/purple/scarlet yarn, and finely twisted linen. The breastpiece contained four rows of 3 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel, and it contained the Urim and Thummin so that the priest 'would always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord' [Exod 28:30].

So why would the Lord command that the breastpiece and the ephod be tied together? One could see the practical significance in that the priest would be sacrificing items on the holy altar, and thus he did not need to have the breastpiece swinging out wildly thus encumbering his ability to perform his duties. And the priest certainly did not want the briestpiece to touch inappropriately the altar of the LORD . . . . this would have brought desecration to the altar (and possibly the priest's death as well).

We can see another symbolic reason for this dictate from the LORD. The ephod was the garment piece that the intermediary would wear to bear the names of the chosen people and in effect represent them and their sins before the LORD. The breastpiece was used to represent the people in discerning the will of God. One can see the symbolic significance of the two being tied together, namely that when the Israelites were in a spirit of contrition and confession for their sins, they are able then to seek God's will concerning the direction that they were to take as a people.


We can find a parallel in the Christian walk today. Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is the one through whom we are able to receive forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 8:1-2). . . and He is the one through whom we ultimately find the answers to life's questions (Jeremiah 33:3) . To separate our decision making away from the one who provides forgiveness of sins is to seek solutions without the help of God Himself. This is because the Lord is unresponsive to those who would perpetuate their sinful rebellion against Him as Lord (see Psalm 66:18; I Peter 3:12; 4:7; Ezekiel 8:16-18).


Because the Lord Jesus Christ has made the solely sufficient sacrifice for our sins (I John 2:1-2), we like the high priests of ages past now can approach the "throne of grace with confidence" (Hebrews 4:16); still, we must remember that we need to approach the Lord with a heart of confession and contrition for our sin. When we receive forgiveness for our sins, we then are able to find God and His will for our lives (Jeremiah 29:13). God, who is rich in mercy and love (Ephesians 2:4) will never let the righteous fall (Psalm 55:22). He will pour out His wisdom to the pure in heart so that they can follow Him in obedience and receive His Divine blessings for their faithfulness to Him as Lord.

Let us never forget that repentance and discernment of God's will go hand in hand. Just as the linen ephod and breastpiece were inseparable, so too are we to never separate our contrition and our petitions for wisdom.