Divine Geography

(Psa 114:2 KJV)  Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.

(Proverbs 5 read also)

As I read through this it struck me as a strange comment.  I had been contemplating the eternal nature of God and how we can’t really grasp it.  Now it tells me He has a “sanctuary” (6944).  My first reaction was based on the first meaning of sanctuary that popped into my head.  A sanctuary is the room we worship in.  It gets that name because in medieval times the church sanctuary was a place you could flee to and avoid persecution.  I assumed that went back to the OT idea of cities of refuge, but they are different words.

Refuge means asylum.  Sanctuary means set apart and sacred.  In some unexplainable way Psalms seems to be saying that the land and the nation of Israel is an anchor spot for God.  While God was impossible to escape it seems that the Holy of Holies in the Temple was a special place to meet Him.  This is why the Jews would journey to Jerusalem for Passover.  It is why Zion has such a special place in history and our hearts.

Pentecost changed that.  As Christians we have the offer of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  We have contact with God at any time and place.  When Jesus died on the cross the curtain in the Temple was torn asunder.  Truly, Immanuel.  God is with us.

So?  Be aware of the promises that have come about as you read the Bible.  Whether you like Israel, Judah or the “house of Jacob” from the first verse, the one you live in is the Body of Christ.  Rejoice.