E1.<'k. xxi. 21 : Zech. x. 2), ""e might t.hence theory, that the material objects were derived obtain snrnl' inkling of t,hl' t.ruth, since there from the roligion of Egypt (Plumpt.re). Tlie i,. murh probability in t.hc view, that t.lie objech! must have been well kno11·n to MosC8 teraphi111 Wl're employ<'d e.s an unauthorised and to those for whom be wrote; otherwise suh<titutl' for t.he Urim and Thummim. they conld not have been introduced, withoui (Se<- .Ju¼. x,·ii. 5: xviii. 5. 6, 14-20.) But any acconnt of their nature, aa, " The Urim " the met.hod of t.hiB divination is wholly nn- and "The Thnmmim." They had probably kno"-n. It is not however likely to have been been long poSBellBed and consulted by the a mere casting of lots, which ie a very simple nation, which wae accustomed to believe that procellll, and requires no images; nor can this it received enlightenment from them. Perhaps explanation of the decision by Urim and they were a sort.of teraphim, but unconnected Thwnmim he regarded e.s ha,':ing probability with any idolatrous worship. It is quite con- 1n its favour. Perhaps, of all the theories, ceivable that an old usage, hitherto un- that which supposei; the Urim and Thnm- authorised, but not debased by any flagrant mim to have been objects gu,ed at by the corruption, should have been adopted by high priest until he entered the ecstatic state, Divine command into the Mosaic ritual, puri- iE the least. objectionable. It must not, how- fied of any evil that attached to it, and conse- ever, be CODBidered ILII 811BOntial part of thil, crated to an important purpose.
HOMILETICS. Yers. 13-30.-The Te,acMngs of the Breast-plate. 'l'ho breast-plate of judgm.ent hllB many aspects, a.nd teaches us severe.I import.ant truths--e.g. : - L Tm,: PRECIOUSNRIIS OF SOULS IN Gon's BIGHT. The tribes of Israel are represented hy ;?ems-gems of the most precious kinds known to, and workable by the engravers of the day---sard, and onyx, and carbuncle, and lapis lazuli, and chrysolite, and perhaps turquoise. We are reminded by this of the saying of the Lord recorded by the prophet Ma.la.chi-" 'l'hey (that fear me) shall be mine in that day when I make up my jewel~" (Ma.I. iii. 17). His own elect are the "jewels" of Christ, wherewith he decks himself as a bridegroom with his ornaments (Is. lxi. 10). As Israel was of old, not only his" special people," but his" peculiar treasure" (Ex. xiL 5), so are Christians now- each one of them dear to him ; each one of them purchased with his blood; each one of them a stone in that glorioll6 temple whereof he is the chief comer stone--a "white st.one," having on it" a new name writte.n" (Rev. ii. 17; iii. 12). II. 'l'HE v ARIETY IN THEIR GIFTS. Each stone in the breast-plate was different from all the res~h had its own peculiar beauty. One was more brilliant, one more lovely in it.s hue, one more curious from its complexity. Yet the breast-plate needed all, would not have been perfect without all None could say to its neighbour-" I have no need of thee." Contrast with its neighbours heightened the effect of each and so added to its beauty. It is the same with Christ's "jewels "-no two are alike--ea.ch has his own peculiar characteristics, his idiosyncrasy. And the crown in which the jewels are set is rendered more beautiful than it would otherwise have been by this diversity a.nd Yariety. A.n endless repetition of even that which is most lovely palls. Of the thousands upon thousands whom Christ has saved and will save, no two but will be different; no one but will add somewhat to the majesty and beauty of the Church in heaven by its peculiar and distinctive character. III. 'l'HE HIGH VALUE OF HIDDEN GIFTB OF WISDOM il'D KNOWLEDGE. It was not trom it.s external beauty-from the gold and purple, and scarlet, and blue, and fine linen of it.s main fabric, or from its ouches and its golden chains of wreathed work ; or even from the dazzling brilliancy and varied hues of its twelve gems-that the breast-plate of the high priest drew either its main value or its honourable titlt. lt was "the breast-plate of jud,,,"lllent;" and this "judgm.ent" was wholly unconnected with the external beauty and gorgeous appearance of the breast-plate. Ilidd.en a.way in tLe treasury of its innermost folds lay the mysterious objects, known as "light" ::.nd "perfection," by means of which the priest pronounced his "judgments," and ru:clared the \\-ill of God to the people. 'l'hese constituted the true glory of the breast- plate. While the twelve stones symbolised the twelve tribes, with their varied gifts w:u:l. faculties (Gen. xlix. 3-27; Deut. xxx.iii. 6-25), the Uri.m a.nd the '1'hummim 11ymoolised light and perfection-intellectual and moral excellence-those best gifts of rll. XXVIJI. 31-35.) TUE BOOK OF EXODUS. 289
wisdom Rnd morn.I knowledge which Rre the crowning gracee of the reaenerate 0 humnn Lcing ~Eph. i. 8, 17; Phil. i. 9; Col. i. 9, 10; etc.). IV. l'IIE PROPRIETY OF REFERRING ALL OUR DOUBTS TO Gon FOR DECJSIOc'I. Th()1J"lt tho Christian Church does not enjoy, o.ny more tho.n did the post-captivity ,fowi~I, Uhurch (Ezro. ii. 03), the o.dvo.nto.ge of oracular responses from on high, thoiwh 0 11 ,- High l'riost is gone before ue into the holiest, o.nd has taken with him the ligl,t a, 11 1 perfection, which o.re his alone, yot it is still possible to refer doubts to God, an,\ so obtain light enough to serve BB e. guide to conduct. If we take our difficulties to G«l on our knees, 11.nd 11,sk his counsel upon them in a faithful spirit, we have full ren.s,,n to trust that wo shall receive illumination from him. What after prayerful communion with God appears to us the best course to take, we may accept 811 his decision, his voi,;o Hpeaking to us. How consoling and encouraging the thought that we can, each one for himself, in the solitude of our chambers cast the burthen of our cares upon Ono who is perfectly good 1md perfectly wise, and who has promised to be our guide unto death I