“David consulted Adonai, asking, ‘Should I go and attack these P’lishtim?’ Adonai answered David, ‘Go, and attack the P’lishtim, and save Ke‘ilah.'”-1 Samuel 23:2
Verse 2 says that “David consulted Adonai”.
What does that mean exactly?
Does it mean he had an audible conversation with God like Moses had with the Lord at Mount Sinai?
No, it doesn’t.
When it says that David “consulted” Adonai, it’s referring to the Urim and Thummim.
These two ritual stones were stored inside the High Priest’s vest.
But how do we know David had access to the Urim and Thummim when he fled Nob with only some Shewbread and Goliath’s sword?
Well, take a look at verse 6:
“When Avyatar the son of Achimelekh
fled to David in Ke‘ilah,
he had brought a ritual vest with him.”
So there you have it.
When Avyatar fled the slaughter at Nob, he took his father’s (Achimelech) vest.
One way to know if the Urim and Thummim were being used is to look at the type of question asked.
If it’s a yes or no question like one of the following…
“Did you finish your homework?”
“Is it raining outside?”
“Have you ever been to Paris?”
Then chances are high, the Urim and Thummim were being used.
In this case, the question was…
‘Should I go and attack these P’lishtim?’
God answered through the two stones with a clear YES.
He probably did that by causing both stones to glow or something.
So what’s the takeaway I’m getting for today?
The takeaway for today is that although the Urim and Thummim are no longer in use, God still communicates with us today.
He can speak to us through that still small voice in prayer.
Or he can send someone to you to communicate an important message you need to hear…like how God sent the prophets to Israel.
He can also communicate through circumstances whether favorable or adverse.
If you find yourself constantly blocked in a certain endeavor…
The Lord may tell you He doesn’t want you to move in that direction.
Finally, the Lord can also communicate to you in miracles…just as He did through Yeshua when he healed the sick and the blind.
So tell me…
How has the Lord communicated to you recently?
In my case, he often “winks” at me by sending the number 7 in many ways.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“God also testified to it by signs,
wonders and various miracles,
and by gifts of the Holy Spirit
distributed according to his will.”
-Hebrews 2:4
I am always careful to listen for that still, quiet voice in the back of my head, and to make sure it is not me who I am hearing.
At those times, this is the Acid Test question I ask myself:
“Is what I am hearing easy to do and something the world would say is good?”
If the answer is “Yes”, it is probably me.
If the answer is “No! This will be hard to do and the world says you don’t need to do it.”, then I can be certain it is from God.
Amen Steve. Yes, what’s usually God’s Will for us wars against our fleshly desires.
But we are promised victory!
Be blessed!