The temple was built so that God would have a place to dwell amongst His people. It became the central hub and focus of Israelite worship. It was built on the model of the tabernacle which was the magnificent tent God had designed while the Israelites dwelt in the desert. Many artefacts and objects were created for the tabernacle and temple. Each of them was designed for a specific purpose and the whole tabernacle pointed the people towards God and enabled them to worship in a way which honoured and magnified Him.
The veil was one of these objects. It was 60 feet high and 30 feet wide and was made ‘of violet, purple, crimson and fine linen’ and had cherubim worked into the design (2 Chron 3:14). It would have been a magnificent sight, a huge wall of royal colour, resplendent with angelic designs woven into its rich fabric. Although not easily viewed by the people since it was inside the Holy Place, it would have been known about as it was extremely significant. The key purpose of the veil is described in Exodus 26 where we read that ‘the veil shall serve for you as a partition between the holy place and the holy of holies’ (v33). The ‘holy of holies’ or ‘Most Holy Place’ was a 30 foot cube which contained two huge cherubim with 15 feet wingspans and in between was the ark of the covenant. On top of the ark was the mercy seat while inside the ark were the two stones on which the ten commandments were written, a golden jar containing some manna and Aaron’s rod that budded (see Hebrews 9:4).
However, the main feature about the Holy of Holies was that it was the place where the presence of God dwelt. This meant that no one was allowed to enter it except for the High Priest and even then, only once per year. The veil signified the separation of God from man. It symbolised how the sinfulness of mankind meant that the holiness of God was beyond reach.
And so it is incredible when we read in the gospels that as Jesus died ‘the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom’ (Matthew 27:51). This is a moment when things changed! Given the height of the veil, the tearing is an act that only God could do. And suddenly the way into the presence of God is cleared. The veil is torn.
The writer to the Hebrews phrases it powerfully in chapter 10:19-22 by saying that we now have confidence to enter the holy place because of Jesus who replaced the veil with His body on the cross. The veil is torn. The veil is removed. We have access to the very presence of God.
Further reading: Hebrews 9:1-10 & 10:19-22
Worship Video:
To think about:
How do you enter the presence of God? What helps you to spend time with God?
Creative response:
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| Journal page by Bernice |
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