Ancient Temple Notes: Part 2 1. The “courts” that surrounded the temple building represented the created world in graded levels of holiness as one approached the pinnacle of the holy mountain. A. All objects of worship – the carts and lavers, the pillars, and other articles found in the inner court were made of bronze, in contrast to the gold furnishing found within the sanctuary. B. The “brazen” or “bronze sea” – an enormous bronze basin of water, 7 feet high and 15 feet across, half as wide as the temple itself, stood in front of the temple, supported on the backs of twelve bronze oxen. It is believed that it was used for the priests to wash themselves in, likely in the form of a ritual immersion; It was meant to represent the Deep, the primordial sea from which the creation arose, and is likely also related to the Sea of Glass before the throne of God mentioned by John the Revelator. The cosmic sea was imagined as surrounding the created order, which was represented by the temple building. The containment of the raging sea was a sign of Yahweh’s power and primordial victory over the chaotic waters. The bronze sea also symbolized the fountain of living waters that flowed from Eden, with the four sets of oxen representing the four rivers flowing from Eden to water the whole earth. The oxen also represented the 12 tribes of Israel. C. Along the sides of the inner court were a series of ten bronze lavers or basins set upon bases with chariot-like wheels. These moveable cart-like bases were decorated with carvings of cherubim, lions, oxen, and palm trees. These lavers were also used for purification purposes and we can imagine that they contributed to the imagery of the cosmic sea that was thought to surround the world. D. The great bronze altar -- the altar of burnt offerings – was also located in the inner court, in front of the Temple. This altar was of great size and very high. It was the location of the sacrifices that we offered to purify Israel and atone for their sins. As one walked up the steps to the Ulam, or porch of the Temple, passed the two bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz, he would enter the temple building through a set of folding doors made of cypress wood, overlaid with gold. This was the entrance to the Hekhal, the Great Hall, or Holy Place – the larger of the two rooms of the Temple proper. The Holy Place represented the Terrestrial Sphere, the realm that was between the earth and the heavenly abode of God. 1. This area was decorated as a garden: the cedar-wood paneled walls were carved with depictions of cherubim, trees, and flowers; all of these were overlaid with gold and set with precious stones. 2. All the furnishings and instruments in this area were also made of gold. There was one, or possibly ten, tables for the bread of the Presence, ten gold lampstands or candlesticks, and a gold altar for the burning of incense in front of the veil. The great lamp, or menorah was made like a seven-branched tree, decorated with almonds and flowers (Exod. 25:31-37). 3. There was a great veil of blue, purple, and crimson fabric which represented the division between the material world and the presence of God. On it there were depictions of cherubim, which represented the angels that guarded the entrance to the presence of God (see 2 Chron. 3:14; Gen. 3:24). In Solomon’s Temple, it appears that behind the veil was another set of doors, overlaid with gold, which led into the Holy of Holies. At the western end of the Great Hall was the “inner house”, the “Most Holy Place” or the “Holy of Holies.” The Holy of Holies was associated with the Celestial Kingdom of God. 1. This was the place of the Presence of God, His Kingdom, where his throne was placed. 2. The Holy of Holies itself was made to be a perfect cube. Its walls were covered with wood panels overlaid with pure gold. It was elevated above the Holy Place and accessible by a series of steps that led up to it. The steps were symbolic of further ascending into the heavens. 3. Inside this inner sanctuary was placed the Ark of the Covenant. Besides the Ark with its cherubim, there stood two very large cherubim, made of wood and overlaid with gold, that apparently formed part of a throne, which represented the Throne of God (see 1 Kgs. 6:23-28; 1 Kgs. 8:6; 1 Chron. 28:18; Isa. 37:16; Isa. 6). The Ark of the Covenant sat in front of the larger cherubim and was considered Gods footstool (1 Chron. 28:2; Ps. 132:6-8). 4. Those who entered the Holy of Holies symbolically left the mortal world and joined the angelic hosts of heaven in the presence of God. They regained the communion with God lost by Adam when he was forced to leave the Garden of Eden. In the Holy of Holies, one could stand before the Throne of God, see his Face, and be transformed by the experience.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 23:23:48 +0000