God's Sanctuary, as described, reveals a profound connection between the earthly and heavenly realms, emphasizing the intricate design and purpose behind each element. The Tabernacle in the wilderness, with its curtain fence forming a courtyard, presented the great brazen altar upon entry, followed by the laver of brass for purification. Inside the outer sanctuary, the table of showbread stood on the north side, and the seven-branched candelabra, or menorah, illuminated the south side. Moving toward the veil separating the outer sanctuary from the Holy of Holies, the altar of incense stood, its smoke symbolically carrying prayers into the presence of God. Behind the veil in the Holy of Holies rested the Ark of the Covenant, topped by the mercy seat with cherubim, containing the gold pot of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the Ten Commandments. This earthly sanctuary, served by the Levites, was a copy of the true heavenly tabernacle erected by the Lord. God instructed Moses to craft everything precisely according to the heavenly pattern to ensure the correct teachings and connections were conveyed. Jesus Christ serves as our High Priest in this heavenly sanctuary, where the furnishings, though similar to those on earth, hold greater spiritual significance, sanctified by His sacrifice rather than animal blood. This act opened the way for us to approach God's throne, as evidenced by the supernatural rending of the Temple veil from top to bottom at His death, exposing the Holy of Holies and signifying that God initiates the relationship from heaven to earth. The furnishings of the sanctuary are not mere decorations but carry deep spiritual meaning, pointing to Christ and guiding us in our approach to God. They illustrate how to have a relationship with Him, showing that true worship involves far more than superficial understanding. Each element, from the altar to the Ark, reflects aspects of Christ's role and purpose, underscoring His centrality in bridging the connection between the physical and spiritual, the Old Covenant and the New.

In the Old Testament, the term oracle is used 16 times to refer to the Holy of Holies, signifying God's sanctuary as the place from which His divine utterances emanate. This usage distinguishes it from pagan contexts, where oracle typically does not denote a specific location but rather a person or utterance. God's sanctuary, as His holy abode, is the source from which He speaks and acts, as exemplified by David looking in prayer toward this sacred place for divine response and justice against the wicked. Thus, God's sanctuary embodies the origin of His revelation to mankind, a central aspect of His communication with His people.

Under the New Covenant, God has removed every impediment between Him and us, granting us direct access to His presence. Spiritually, we stand face to face with God, just as Adam and Eve did physically in the Garden. The rending of the veil in the tabernacle, as described in Matthew 27:51, signifies the end of the Old Covenant way of access to God, which portrayed Him as remote and inaccessible to all but the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. This tearing of the curtain symbolizes that the way into God's presence is now unobstructed for those covered by the blood of Christ, and it also marks the end of separation between priests and people. In the earthly tabernacle, described in Hebrews 9:1-3, there were two rooms separated by a veil: the holy place and the Most Holy Place, which symbolized the presence of God. Under the Old Covenant, access was restricted, and even the high priest entered with great fear. Now, through Christ's torn flesh, we are invited and encouraged to draw near with full confidence into God's presence. Our High Priest, Christ, has entered the real heavenly tabernacle, and as a result, we too can boldly approach the throne of grace, anchored to it through Him. This access means there is no religious hierarchy or priesthood standing between us and God. As a royal priesthood of believers, the church is permitted into both the holy place and the Most Holy Place, signifying direct communion with God. This privilege, facilitated by prayer and Bible study, allows us to draw strength from what He is, through His Spirit, to fulfill His purpose. It transforms our relationship with Him into an intimate fellowship, essential for submitting to His government and being transformed into His image.

In Psalm 73, Asaph finds clarity and transformation by entering the sanctuary of God. Once he connects with the Divine presence there, God begins to reshape his mind and perspective, aligning him with heavenly understanding. In this sacred space, Asaph realizes that God is unique, unmatched by any on earth in the desire and ability to provide for him. He acknowledges that God is a great Giver, a sovereign Power, and utterly trustworthy. When God speaks, His Word is fulfilled; it never returns empty. Asaph comes to see God as his rock, his reward, and his eternal inheritance—a far greater portion than mere land, for God Himself is the lot of His people. In Psalm 74, the communal lament reveals a deep sense of abandonment as the sanctuary lies in ruins, destroyed by enemies who sought to erase God's presence from the earth. The psalmist pleads with God to remember the past, the times of redemption and closeness on Mount Zion, where His house once stood. He urges God to hasten back, to see the devastation of His sanctuary and the burning of every place of worship in Judah, rendering it impossible for the faithful to draw near. The enemy's actions are portrayed as an attack on God's reputation, a direct challenge to His name and power. Yet, through a hymn of praise within the psalm, the author gains perspective, recognizing God's supreme authority over all creation and powers, understanding that the destruction of the sanctuary was allowed for a greater purpose. This shift moves the psalmist from despair to pleas for God to act, to remember His covenant, and to turn shame into praise, affirming that even in the absence of immediate intervention, hope and faith must endure as they await His response.

In the context of summer and the themes of ripening fruit and judgment, the sanctuary of God holds a central place as a symbol of His presence and accessibility. The Psalms of Book 3, particularly chapters 73-89, often focus on Zion, Jerusalem, the Temple, and the sanctuary, reflecting the idea that God is there, accessible to a specific group of people despite appearances of distance. This sanctuary represents not only the physical Temple but also the spiritual connection to God, especially during times of national crisis and judgment as seen from the end of David's reign through Solomon's reign to the fall of Judah and Jerusalem. Many of the psalms in Book 3, written by Temple insiders such as Asaph and the sons of Korah, offer a unique perspective on the service of the sanctuary, highlighting its significance in the communal and national life of Israel. These psalms, composed by professional Temple musicians during the height of the Temple's power, likely in Solomon's time, emphasize the sanctuary's role as the heart of worship and judgment. In Psalm 73, the sanctuary becomes a pivotal place of revelation for Asaph, where he seeks God and gains a proper perspective on the destiny of the wicked and the faithful. It is in the sanctuary that he understands God's ultimate plan, shifting his focus from earthly struggles to the eternal purpose of holiness and relationship with God. The sanctuary also ties into the broader themes of Leviticus and Lamentations, which parallel Book 3. Leviticus focuses on offerings, priestly service, and the Tabernacle, later the Temple, underscoring themes of holiness, distinction, and purity associated with God's sanctuary. It presents the sanctuary as the place where God's blessings and curses are mediated, reflecting His faithfulness to His promises of judgment or redemption. Lamentations, on the other hand, portrays the grief and affliction resulting from judgment, often centered around the destruction of the sanctuary, as seen in the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple's ruin on the ninth of Ab. Despite this destruction, there remains a faint hope of repentance and redemption linked to the sanctuary's enduring spiritual significance. Thus, the sanctuary stands as a powerful emblem of God's presence, judgment, and hope amidst the summer themes of ripening fruit and impending consequences.