temples

Here's a picture of the Temple of Hadrian in Ephesus. When the guide showed us this temple, she took us into the back section, in front of the stone wall you can see, and she pointed out the striking difference between the inner sanctuary and the outer temple: The inner sanctuary is plain... because the people don't see it. In other words, the important part of the temple is the outside which is visible to the worshiper.

It struck me then, as it strikes me now as I just read I Kings 6, how very differently those who serve the LORD God are to see worship and temples. In I Kings 6, the account is given of Solomon building the temple, and the skilled workmanship and valuable treasures that went into every part, and particularly the inner sanctuary, are highlighted. Expensive carved cedar which covered skillfully worked stone and was in turn overlaid completely with gold. An altar of cedar overlaid with gold, two golden cherubim made of olivewood approximately 15 feet high. Everything was as valuable as Solomon could make it, even the floors were overlaid with gold.

Was this really the inner sanctuary that would only be seen by one human, once a year? Yes, for the heart of real worship is related to Who God is, not what man sees. God does not value outer brilliance if there is inward desolation.