The Oracle of Yahveh - Urim and Thummim, the Ephod, the Breastplate of Judgment #226519

Though the oracle by the Urim and Thummim played an important part in the ancient history of the people of Israel, its practice fell gradually into disuse. It was first abandoned, presumably as a relic of paganism, and its methods were absolutely for gotten during the Exile, while in the post-exilic age the loss of it was deeply deplored. Josephusl says that two hundred years before his time the Urim and Thummim had ceased to light up, but his statement is based on the very lowest margin, for they are no longer mentioned as being consulted after Solomon's reign.