Hebrews 9:1-10—All That Is Glorious Points to Jesus

Intro |

Worship Regulations (v.1)

The nation of Israel were God’s representation to the world. He would be their God, and they would be his people, and as their creator, he determined how they would represent him.

Work Uniform and standard of conduct.

In Genesis 25-27 Moses met with God and was told exactly how Israel was to set themselves apart through the building of the tabernacle for his glory and their good.

Why was this so important?

By looking to God to regulate how he desired to be worshiped, Israel was showing that they submitted to God’s rule and direction not their own.

This was far different from, pagan nations who worshiped at the whims of their religious leaders. These individuals would come up with new ways to worship, new gifts to bring, sacrifices to make, and even new gods to worship.

The worship of the nations was primarily man-focused looking for a better life rather than how to revere and represent a holy God.

v.1— “even in the first covenant” God regulated how he was to be worshipped in the earthly tabernacle because it all points to Christ. The human experience was not a high priority.

God wasn’t concerned with weather the Israelites though the “worship” was good, or the priest did a good job in carrying out their duties, or if they liked the color of the curtains or the placement of the lampstands.

God’s focus in regulating worship was for every element to point to Christ!

It makes sense then, if God regulated worship through the shadow of the OC how much more should we be concerned with what he commands in his word now that Christ has come.

So, let me ask, when it comes to worshipping God, do you trust him to want & even require what is best for you?

Likewise, do you think he knows how to represent himself best to the world, so it would be wise to follow his lead, not come up with our own ideas.

Traffic Vest...

God regulates the way we worship him so that all we do points to Jesus!

Tabernacle Furniture(vv.2-5)

The way the tabernacle was arranged was intentional to show Israel there need for more than religious furniture—it all pointed to a better system.

Heb. 9:23 Refers to the tabernacle furniture as “patterns of things in heaven.”

(v.2) — “First Section” — Holy Place

There was a curtain that guarded the entrance to the Holy Place from the courtyard.

The Holy Place contained the lampstand and table with the bread of Presence.

In this room, the priests would come daily to trim the lamps, make sure there was enough oil in the lamps, burn incense.

Weekly, they would replace the bread of Presence.

There are many different views about the symbolism of these objects, but each one, I believe, points to Christ.

The lamps were to remain lit at all times in the dark canvas room, and perhaps would have been symbolic of the light of God in the darkness of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness.

The bread would have been on the opposite side of the space. With the light from the candles shining to show that only by the light of God Israel was able to commune with him.

(v.3) — “Second Section — Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)

Behind the second curtain was the Most Holy Place.

This curtain guarded anyone, even the priest, from entering except on the day of atonement.

The Most Holy Place contained the golden altar of incense, the ark of the covenant with manna in a golden urn , Aaron’s staff, and the ten commandments(the Law).

Above the ark were the cherubim which overlooked the mercy seat.

The symbolism here is rich, but perhaps the most important is the curtain/veil that was a shadow of the body of Jesus.

This curtain guarded access into God’s presence, and now Jesus provides access into God’s presence.

Matt 27:50 — “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

Just as the veil was torn, so too was the body of Christ torn making way into God’s presence for all who will enter through him.

Can you see how that even the glorious tabernacle furniture pointed to Christ?!

Priestly Function (vv.6-10)

v.6 — As I mentioned the priest regularly worked in the Holy Place to perform ritual duties, but once a year the High Priest would go into the Most Holy Place.

It is important to note that only the priests could enter the first section, the holy place elements in the Holy Place.

The ongoing nature of the priest’s work was a foreshadow of Jesus continual mediating work as priest on behalf of his people.

v.7 — Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year.

He could only enter with a blood sacrifice to cover his personal sin and the sins of the people.

Everyday the priests would be in the Holy Place performing their duties with the curtain hanging as a reminder that they could only come so close.

By only being admitted into the Most Holy Place one day of the year everyone was a reminded that no one was able to regularly commune with God.

v.8 — But the Day of Atonement was shadowing forth a time when they way would their would be access, atonement would be made, and man, once again, could relate rightly to God.

R. Phillips — “The whole pointe of the tabernacle system of worship was on the one hand to show God’s intent to have fellowship with his people, while on the other hand showing that the way for this was not yet open.

Do you see the key phrase in v.8?

“not yet” — The Holy Spirit testifies that the very make up of the tabernacle, the two rooms, the elements, the priests, and their roles were all pointing to the difference in the OC and the NC.

The OC showed that they way to God was barred, but the Holy Spirit is showing that the way is now opened!

The OC and it’s rituals were like the priests role in the Holy Place. Work could never stop, care was always needed, and the light was only partially enjoyed. (WORKS)

In the NC, like the Holy of Holies, there is access to the presence of God. And, fortunately for us, the veil that barred access into the Holy of Holies has been torn, and access has been forever secured by the blood of Jesus. (GRACE)

Can you imagine being a priest carrying out your daily duties in temple when, knowing that there was only one day of access to God. But then, as the NT tells us, the veil tore when Jesus died and access was made available?

v.9 — remember the context of Hebrews, and our temptation, to turn back to the OC ritualism as a means to God.

The recipients of the letter faced the consequences of the OC if they returned to it—No regular access to God and it “[could not] perfect the conscience of the worshiper.”

Likewise, if we return to some sort of works based ritualism as a means to satisfy God’s wrath and sooth our conscience we are returning to the law rather than enjoying the gospel.

If we return to works of the law, our inner conscience of guilt before God, is like the veil and it keeps us from entering into God’s presence freely.

Like Adam and Eve we flee from the voice of God because, even when we try our hardest, our conscience reminds us of our sinfulness.

What do you think the priests did when they saw that the veil was torn and access was available into the holy of holies on the day of Jesus’ death?

I read this week that they did not rush in to worship God, they did not see Jesus as the sacrificial lamb, but they, with their very own hands, repaired the veil.

They missed it! They were comfortable with their religious system, “food and drink regulations, various washings, regulations for the body, but they were empty sinners, and remained guilty before God.

Even the function of the priests were pointing to Jesus!

All That Is Glorious Points to Jesus

The OC was external—written on tablets of stone, dealt with food, the body, and the elements of the tabernacle.

These had their place for a time, but even as glorious as they were they were copies and shadow—always pointing to Jesus who could clear the conscience of man, and forgive sins.

Ps.51:2 “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”

Jn 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Today we don’t have the tabernacle declaring the glory of God, but all of creation!

Ps. 19:1-2 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”

All that is glorious and good is shadowing forth the glory of God in Christ!

Application | The veil is torn, Christ has come, and your sin is forgiven, so live by grace not the law...

1. Embrace all that is glorious.

This week read a good book, take a long walk, go fishing, enjoy a great meal with friends—enjoy all the beauties of this life knowing that they all point to a greater reality—the grace of God for you in Jesus.

1 Cor. 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Remembering that the Lord has said, Zech 3:4 “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with fine garments.””

2. Turn from counterfeit glories.

There are many things today that promise and don’t deliver. Some are worse than others. Some are packaged nicely and others appeal to our sin nature.

Heb. 2:1 “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

Empty Religion — This is subtle.

Living a life of works rather than grace. A life that is focused on self rather than the Savior, what you can do rather than what Christ has done as a way to manipulate God.

Are you still living in the shadow of the curtain in the tabernacle?

What is keeping you from going freely to God through the glorious gift of his Son?

THE LORD’S SUPPER

Jesus came so that we can come freely to commune with God. He invites us to do so through this meal — to submit to God’s regulations of worship, to enjoy the blessings of the ordinary means of grace, and to partake of his body which was torn so that we can come into God’s presence with confidence.