Pastor Olusola Ogidan
1 Kings 6:1-5; 1 King 6:19-29; Exodus 25:9-22; Hebrews 9:1-2
From Genesis to Deuteronomy, the word “Oracle” was not mentioned at all. It was Solomon that actually used that word when he was describing the temple he built. However, other translations interchanged the word “Oracle” to “the innermost sanctuary” or “the Most Holy Place”.
We are taking this study because as priests, we should be conversant with the things of the temple. The Old Testament was a pattern and shadow of the New Testament. In this New dispensation, we need not go to a physical place to worship because our interface with God now is in the Spirit.
What is the original essence of the Oracle and why was it even a part of the temple? The purpose of the Oracle is to meet with God and for communion with Him.
As far as God’s dealings were with Israel, He could not deal with them on the same basis he dealt with Moses. A man has to come into the Oracles on behalf of the Israelites and that man was Aaron. There Moses and Aaron received instructions so that the children of Israel could live.
However, Aaron who was even a High Priest in the Old Testament was instructed not to just come on his own volition into the Oracles meaning Aaron cannot just meet and commune with God at any time.
There was a time when Moses heard the voice of the Lord coming from the innermost sanctuary where the Shekinnah glory was. He drew close and began to commune with the Lord. The commandments for the children of Israel were as a result of his meetings and communion with the Lord and these things which the Lord spoke were ordained for life.
There existed an oracle for Adam himself and that was the reason he could communicate and commune with God. The presence of God in the garden was a tangible thing that Adam was usually aware when God is around.
The basis for any such meeting is an agreement. For the children of Israel, the testimony in the ark was the symbol of agreement between God and them. That is why God comes in between the cherubim and onto the mercy seat upon which the testimony rested.
For Adam, the basis for the meetings God had with him was the life that God put inside him that had not yet been corrupted. But when Adam sinned, he was driven away from his place in the Oracle. He lost that access. Hence, the introduction of the mercy (or atonement) seat. Sin necessitated that there was an atonement.
To atone is to reconcile and be made one with, having all differences crossed out. In the beginning, Adam was not yet at variance with God, so there was no need for atonement or reconciliation. Even in the days of atonement, God does not appear until the sprinkling of the blood is done. So, atonement became a basis for God to come and meet with the people of Israel.
