I remember the first time I traveled to Asia and took time to explore one of the many outdoor street markets. Stretching for miles and miles on end, these markets claimed to sell all of the top brands in fashion and accessories at a fraction of the cost. However, upon closer inspection one could quickly tell these were cheap imitations, made to look authentic but lacking all of the traits that made the products worthy of a high sticker price, such as quality of materials or assembly.

 

 

Many of us go through times when bible reading seems dry and we may think, “There has got to be something more.”  At these times, one reason we may have parched souls is because we have been gathering biblical information rather than communing with the Savior.  Perhaps, as G.K. Chesterton said, our religion has become more about theology, and less about a love affair with Jesus. 

 

In the Old Testament, we read about the tabernacle that God had His people build.  This large tent-like structure was the physical reminder of God’s presence with His people.  Later, that tabernacle was replaced with a temple – which served the same function.  These sacred places had outer courts which could be accessed by all the faithful.  They also had what was known as the Holy Place, where only those designated as priests could enter.  Within the Holy Place, there was a special area known as the Holy of Holies – this is where the Ark of the Covenant was kept; it was seen as the place where God manifested Himself.  Only the high priest could enter this area, and only on the Day of Atonement.  Anyone else risked death if they dared go into the Holy of Holies.