Introduction to the SACRED TOOLS OF DISCERNMENT

This blog uses the Sacred Lots of the Twelve Tribes, which are tools of discernment based on the Urim & Thummim. 

According to the book of Genesis the nation of Israel are descendants of twelve tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulum, Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh, and Benjamin. I have developed a system containing 144 characteristics based on the combined meaning of the names attributed to each of the Twelve Tribes.

The Hebrew Scriptures contain hidden meanings that inquiry and reflection can reveal. There are five themes that continually come to the surface through inquiry:

1. [YHWH] Worship of the One God.
   
   
2. [ISRAEL] Chosen people sanctified as a light to the nations.
   
   
3. [TANACH] Instruction on how to live and be protected from destructive forces.
   
   
4. [COVENANT] Promise of land.
   
   
5. [MESSIAH] Anointed ruler sent by YHWH.
   
   

These themes are repeated throughout the Hebrew Scriptures along with underlying themes regarding YHWH’s relationship to the Tribes of Israel and the constant cycle of creation, sin, judgment, repentance and redemption. This is reiterated in the structure of the text of the Hebrew Scriptures and the structure of the reflection method outlined in this blog:

1. [ACTION] The story — creation.
   
   
2. [REACTION] The people’s natural contrariness — sin.
   
   
3. [EXAMINATION] The circumstances surrounding the story and instruction regarding it — judgment.
   
   
4. [CHANGES]  Recognising a problem and trying to correct it — repentance.
   
   
5. [OUTCOME] The transformation that occurs — redemption

References:
See Bibliography: Sacred Tools of Discernment by Jonn Lavinnder