"Why, Soitenly!"

[For those interested in the latest news regarding our daughter, Jessica, click here. She fell carrying a 40# backpack and sprained her ankle, so please keep her in your prayers. Thanks.] 

Yesterday I stated the problem requiring the need for atonement: How could holiness (God) dwell among wickedness (you … okay, and possibly me!)?

Inside the tabernacle (and later the temple) was a veil that set apart the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies. To grasp the significance of this, visit a nearby Guitar Center and go to the acoustical guitar room. Think of that as the Holy Place. Inside that room is another, smaller room with the very high-end guitars. Think of that as the Most Holy Place. And be careful when you leave that you don’t walk into the glass doors! (See this blog if you are in the dark.) 

The Most Holy Place (MHP) contained the ark of the covenant (which contained the rod of Aaron, the stone commandments, and some manna). Covering the ark was the mercy seat … solid gold … the throne of God on earth. Eventually covered with the dried blood of years of sacrifices. Also inside the MHP was the shekinah, the manifest glory of God. Light that was never created but always existed. 

No one dared enter the MHP except the high priest of Israel, and he entered only ond day a year, and then with great trepidation.

Before the high priest entered the MHP, each person in Israel was required to remember every sin committed that year. You went through the law and recalled every transgression of law. Every sin. (The argument might be made that in some ways, April 15 / IRS in our nation is patterened after atonement, but I digress.)

The priest would do the same. No excused absences. You couldn’t say, "We scheduled our vacation for the 10th of Tishri. We’ve always gone to Yosemite the second week of Tishri!" This was one Sabbath you stayed at home. You didn’t think of calling in sick.

Next week: The sacrifice for atonement . . .