Hebrews 9:1-15 (02/02/2024)

Hebrews 9:1–15 NKJV

1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

v. i-viii

Hebrews 9:1–8 NKJV

1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.

Here, the author just explains how the sacrifice for sins was performed under the first covenant. There were “ordinances of divine service” (v. i), but first, he will attempt to “the earthly sanctuary” (v. i).

The Description of the Earthly Sanctuary: (show image)

The first part (the sanctuary, outside): - The lampstand, the table, and the showbread

The second part (Holiest of All, Holy of Holies, behind the veil): - The golden censer (Lev 16:12) - The ark of the covenant (Ex 25:10) - The golden pot with the manna (Ex 16:33) - Aaron’s rod that budded (Num 17:8) - Tablets of the covenant (Ex 25:16) - Cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat (Ex 25:17)

“Of these things we cannot speak in detail”: the details of the Holiest of All were only seen by the High Priest once a year, so the author of Hebrews had never seen the Holiest of All for himself. He is only going off of the instructions given in the Old Testament.

The Ordinances of Divine Service:

Daily services and sacrifices performed by all priests

High Priest offered annual sacrifice involving blood in the Holiest of All. - This was a sacrifice for all sins; those of Him and those of the people.

The sins of the people were not always committed on purpose. Sometimes, “the people’s sins [were] committed in ignorance.” (v. vii)

The most interesting part of this all is that the existence of the first covenant pointed to the greater covenant. The Holy Spirit is the One who indicated that the tabernacle was only a precursor to the time when all could enter the Holiest of All. The veil covering the Holiest of All was actually miraculously torn when Jesus died on the cross.

v. ix-xv

Hebrews 9:9–15 NKJV

9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Here, the symbolism of the first covenant is detailed:

The insufficient gifts and sacrifices pointed to Jesus, whose gift and sacrifice was offered for all sins.

Foods, drinks, various washings (or baptisms), and fleshly (or earthly) ordinances pointed to the reformation to come through the installation of the new covenant.

The High Priest was a symbol of the greater High Priest to come, Jesus Christ.

The tabernacle made by human hands points to a greater and more perfect tabernacle in Heaven (to clarify, the first tabernacle was perfect, which is why the second tabernacle is called “more perfect”). - In fact, Revelation 21:3: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’”

The blood of goats and calves allowing access into the Most Holy Place pointed to Christ’s blood allowing us access into the Most Holy Place.

Finally, the author himself asks in v. xiii-xiv,

Hebrews 9:13–14 NKJV

13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

He compares a known truth with an even bigger, forgotten truth; a common writing technique in the New Testament (e.g., Rom 8:32, Mt 7:11). If we know that the blood of livestock were able to sanctify in the first covenant, the blood of the spotless Christ must also be able to sanctify us in the New Covenant. The author again mentions dead works, as he did in Hebrews 6:1. Dead works cannot save us, but the blood of the spotless Christ absolutely can.

Hebrews 9:15 NKJV

15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

This is why Jesus is the new Mediator of the New Covenant: as God, He is able to redeem our transgressions in the first covenant and in the new covenant, so that we may receive this eternal inheritance. The sacrifice of Jesus is our inheritance, in which we can rejoice greatly.