Hebrews 9
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Introduction**
Introduction**
Over the past few weeks, beginning with chapter 5, the author of Hebrews has taught us about the High-Priesthood of Jesus Christ.
Over the past few weeks, beginning with chapter 5, the author of Hebrews has taught us about the High-Priesthood of Jesus Christ.
We have learned that the High-Priesthood of Christ is greater than the Priesthood of Aaron or any of those who were made High-Priests under the law.
We have learned that the High-Priesthood of Christ is greater than the Priesthood of Aaron or any of those who were made High-Priests under the law.
To prove his point, the author spoke about the earthly and then pointed us toward the heavenly.
And in that study, I used terminology like “Type,” “Copy,” “Pattern,” and “Shadow.”
And in that study, I used terminology like “Type,” “Copy,” “Pattern,” and “Shadow.”
These terms refer to a type of symbolism … things speaking of something else.
It’s a copy, a pattern, or a model that signifies an even greater reality in heaven.
So, the writer to the Hebrews says that the earthly priests have a service which is merely a shadowy outline of the heavenly order.
So, the writer to the Hebrews says that the earthly priests have a service which is merely a shadowy outline of the heavenly order.
In other words … The earthly priesthood was just a shadow to point people to the reality of the heavenly priesthood of Christ.
In other words … The earthly priesthood was just a shadow to point people to the reality of the heavenly priesthood of Christ.
So, reasoning from scripture, the author established the heavenly, priestly ministry of Christ.
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Then with chapter 8, the author began to advance his point even further with the fact that Jesus ministers according to a better covenant.
Then with chapter 8, the author began to advance his point even further with the fact that Jesus ministers according to a better covenant.
He demonstrated from scripture that the new covenant has displaced the old.
He demonstrated from scripture that the new covenant has displaced the old.
And along those lines, here in chapter 9 he moves onto the better sanctuary.
presents a detailed contrast between the Old Covenant sanctuary (the tabernacle) and the New Covenant heavenly sanctuary where Jesus Christ now ministers.
The blood
Looking ahead, the author speaks of the better sacrifice.
In fact, the author affirms specific ways in which Jesus’ sacrifice for sins is “better” than the sacrifices offered by the old covenant priests, bringing his discussion of Christ’s superior high priesthood to a resounding climax. Specifically, the author argues for the superiority of Christ’s offering on three bases. (1) The place of the offering was in heaven rather than on earth (9:11, 23–25; 10:12–13). (2) The blood of the offering was Christ’s own blood rather than the blood of animals (9:12–28). (3) The offering of the heavenly high priest, unlike the continuous sacrifices of the old covenant priests, was eternal, having been made once for all (9:25–26; 10:1–18).
This contrast makes it clear that the New Covenant sanctuary is superior.
This contrast makes it clear that the New Covenant sanctuary is superior.
Back to the idea of type and shadow … In this world we have only pale copies of what is truly real.
in this world we have only pale copies of what is truly real. The worship that we can offer is just a ghost-like shadow of the real worship which only Jesus, the real high priest, can offer.
The worship that we can offer is just a ghost-like shadow of the real worship … which only Jesus, the true high priest, can offer.
The center of Old Testament worship was the Tabernacle.
And the author of Hebrews lovingly thinks of it … it’s beauty and priceless furnishings.
And he thinks how glorious the true worship in heaven must be.
If all the loveliness of the tabernacle was only a shadow of reality, how surpassingly wonderful the reality must be.
And just as the author knew of the beauty of the tabernacle, so did the Hebrew readers of this letter.
And just as the author knew of the beauty of the tabernacle, so did the Hebrew readers of this letter.
So, he doesn’t describe the tabernacle in detail … he just alludes to some of its furnishings.
So, he doesn’t describe the tabernacle in detail … he just alludes to some of its furnishings.
Now, we on the other hand, don’t know the beauty of the tabernacle.
Now, we on the other hand, don’t know the beauty of the tabernacle.
We have an idea about the Temple, because we are not as far removed from it … though what we know is only from history.
We are much further removed from the Tabernacle.
We have a description of the tabernacle in the wilderness in Exodus chapters 25-31 and 35-40.
In those chapters we understand that God commanded the construction of the tabernacle.
Moses saw this pattern on the mount and he duplicated its essentials in the earthly tabernacle using earthly materials and familiar ideas.
says that the Tabernacle was built out of the free will offerings of the people.
In fact, the people were so generous they had to be told to stop.
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Now, let’s refresh ourselves on some of the aspects of the Tabernacle.
Now, let’s refresh ourselves on some of the aspects of the Tabernacle.
The court of the tabernacle was 150 feet long and 75 feet wide.
The court of the tabernacle was 150 feet long and 75 feet wide.
It was surrounded by a curtain-like fence of fine, twined linen.
That fence was seven and a half feet high.
The white linen stood for the wall of holiness that surrounds the presence of God.
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The curtain was supported by 20 pillars on the north and south sides.
On the east and west sides there were 10 pillars.
So, the courtyard within was rectangular in shape.
The pillars of the fence were set in sockets of brass and had tops of silver.
Of course, there had to be a way in, and so there was a gate … though only one.
That gate was on the east side.
It was thirty feet wide and seven and a half feet high.
It was made of fine, twined linen and with blue, purple and scarlet yarns.
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In the court, there were 2 things.
In the court, there were 2 things.
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There was the bronze altar and the laver.
There was the bronze altar and the laver.
The bronze altar was seven and a half feet square and four and a half feet high and made of acacia wood covered in brass.
The top was a grating of bronze on which the sacrifice would be placed.
There were also 4 horns to which the offering would be bound.
The laver held water for priests to wash their hands and feet before they carried out their sacred duties.
It was made from the brass mirrors of the women (glass mirrors did not exist at that time).
The Bible does not give the dimensions for the laver.
There was the laver. The laver was made from the brass mirrors of the women (glass mirrors did not exist at that time), but its dimensions are not given. The priests bathed themselves in the water in it before they carried out their sacred duties.
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Next is the Tabernacle proper.
Next is the Tabernacle proper.
The tabernacle was constructed of forty-eight acacia beams, fifteen feet high and two feet, three inches wide.
The tabernacle was constructed of forty-eight acacia beams, fifteen feet high and two feet, three inches wide.
These beams were overlaid with pure gold and sat in sockets made of silver.
The tabernacle itself was constructed of forty-eight acacia beams, fifteen feet high and two feet three inches wide. They were overlaid with pure gold and rested in sockets of silver. They were bound together by outside connecting rods and by a wooden tie-beam which ran through their centre. The tabernacle was divided into two parts. The first—two-thirds of the whole—was the holy place; the inner part—one-third of the whole—a cube fifteen feet on each side, was the Holy of Holies. The curtain which hung in front of the holy place was supported on five brass pillars and made of fine linen worked in blue, purple and scarlet.
The beams were bound together by connecting rods and by a wooden tie-beam which ran through their center.
The inside of the tabernacle structure was divided into 2 parts.
The first part one would encounter when entering was the Holy Place .... it took up 2/3rds of the area of the Tabernacle.
Then there was the Holy of Holies, a square area 15 feet on each side.
There was a curtain to separate these 2 areas.
That curtain was supported on 5 brass pillars and was made of fine linen worked in blue, purple and scarlet.
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The Holy Place contained 3 things.
The Holy Place contained 3 things.
There was the (a) golden lamp stand, (b) the table of shewbread, and (c) the altar of incense.
There was the (a) golden lamp stand, (b) the table of shewbread, and (c) the altar of incense.
The golden lampstand or Menorah stood on the south side of the Holy Place.
It was made out of a single piece of solid gold.
It’s lamps were fed with pure olive oil, and were always to be lit.
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The north side is where the table of the shewbread stood.
The north side is where the table of the shewbread stood.
It was made of acacia wood and was covered with gold.
It was made of acacia wood and was covered with gold.
The table was three feet long, one and a half feet wide and it stood two feet three inches tall.
Every Sabbath, 12 loaves made of the finest flour were laid on it, in two rows of six.
Only the priests were to eat these loaves when they were replaced.
And they were to be changed every Sabbath.
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To the east was the entrance to the Tabernacle, in line with the entrance to the courtyard.
To the east was the entrance to the Tabernacle, in line with the entrance to the courtyard.
To the west inside in the Holy Place and before the curtain was the altar of incense.
To the west inside in the Holy Place and before the curtain was the altar of incense.
It was made of acacia wood covered in gold and was 1 1/2 feet square and 3 feet tall.
On it, incense was burned each morning and evening, symbolizing the prayers of the people rising to God.
I should mention that only priests could enter the Holy Place of the Tabernacle … no common worshipper could enter.
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In front of the Holy of Holies, there was the veil or curtain.
In front of the Holy of Holies, there was the veil or curtain.
That curtain was made of fine, twined linen, embroidered in scarlet and purple and blue, with cherubim pictured upon it.
That curtain was made of fine, twined linen, embroidered in scarlet and purple and blue, with cherubim pictured upon it.
Nobody entered the Holy of Holies except for the High Priest.
And he could only enter once a year, on the Day of Atonement, and only after some very elaborate preparations.
Within the Holy of Holies was only one piece of furniture ... the ark of the covenant.
Under the mercy seat or lid of the ark, inside of it were 3 things - the golden pot containing manna from , Aaron’s rod that budded from , and the broken tables of the law.
The ark itself was made of acacia wood covered outside and lined inside with gold.
The ark itself was made of acacia wood covered outside and lined inside with gold.
It was made of acacia wood sheathed outside and lined inside with gold. It was three feet nine inches long, two feet three inches wide, and two feet three inches high. Its lid was called the mercy-seat. On the mercy-seat, there were two cherubim of solid gold with overarching wings. It was there that the very presence of God rested, for he had said: ‘There I will meet you, and from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant’ ().
It was 3’9” long, 2’3” wide, and 2’3” tall.
On the mercy-seat, there were 2 cherubim of solid gold with wings that arched over the lid.
And it was there that the very presence of God rested.
God had said: “There I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony.”
Don’t read below:
And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.
It was of all this beauty of the Tabernacle … and later the Temple … that the writer to the Hebrews was thinking of … and yet it was only a shadow of what is reality.
It was of all this beauty of the Tabernacle … and later the Temple … that the writer to the Hebrews was thinking of … and yet it was only a shadow of what is reality.
The ordinary Israelite could come only to the gate of the court of the tabernacle.
The priests and the Levites both could enter the court.
Only the priests could enter the holy place.
And no one but the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies.
There was beauty, but it was a beauty in which the ordinary people were barred from the presence of God.
Jesus Christ took the barrier away and opened wide the way to God’s presence for everyone.
So, let’s not forget that the overall point of the author is the superiority of Christ and all these things are wrapped up into that Christological argument.
But, that being said, let’s not forget that the overall point of the author is the superiority of Christ and all these things are wrapped up into that Christological argument.
It can be easy to get into these things and talk about the tabernacle, the covenant, the sacrifice, etc and get distracted from the point, which is our perfect Savior.
Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (pp. 296–297). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
This principle of faith must apply to our relationship to the heavenly sanctuary. We have never seen this sanctuary. Yet we believe what the Bible tells us about it. We realize that God is not worshiped today in temples made with hands (). There is no special place on earth where God dwells (see ; ; ). We may call a local church building a “house of God,” but we know that God does not live there. The building is dedicated to God and His service, but it is not His dwelling place.
These things are unimportant without Him.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 308). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
This section shows that the New Covenant’s system of priesthood and sacrifice, in which Yeshua offered up himself once and for all in order to clear the way to the Holy of Holies for everyone, is better than the Old Covenant’s system and effectively replaces it.
Stern, D. H. (1996). Jewish New Testament Commentary : a companion volume to the Jewish New Testament (electronic ed., ). Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.
To boil it all down, the new scene and conditions of Christ’s high-priestly work—the higher sanctuary and the better covenant (ch. 8:1–6)—are presented with more detail.
The new scene and conditions of Christ’s high-priestly work—the higher sanctuary and the better covenant (ch. 8:1–6)—are presented with more detail.
Let’s pray.
Prayer: Lord, as we embark to study your Word, we ask that our hearts would be open to receive all that You have to say to us. We desire to be hearers and doers and for You to lead us in Your ways. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
v1
v1
“Then indeed” makes us look back to what was just said.
“Then indeed” makes us look back to what was just said.
The final verse of chapter 8 reads:
In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 8
So, again, the author is pointing us to something greater than that which was before under the old covenant.
Now, certainly, and as we know, the regulations and practices in the tabernacle were ordained of God.
Now, certainly, and as we know, the regulations and practices in the tabernacle were ordained of God.
If there was any inferiority in the tabernacle service, it had nothing to do with God, Who is Holy and Perfect.
Rather, Paul points out in Romans that, “The law … was weak through the flesh.”
Do not read below:
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
So, the law is good and perfect, but it is the flesh that makes it weak to save.
So, the law is good and perfect, but it is the flesh that makes it weak to save.
And God knew this when He gave the law and the sacrificial system … He gave these things to prepare the way for Christ.
So then, while the Old Covenant was in force, the ministry of the priests was ordained of God and the ministry was proper.
What was it, then, that made the tabernacle inferior?
For one thing, the sanctuary was fleshly … in other words … it was of the earth.
This means it was made by man, and it was set up by man.
It was an earthly sanctuary (v. 1). This means it was made by man () and pitched by man (). The Jewish people generously brought their gifts to Moses, and from these materials the tabernacle was constructed. Then God gave spiritual wisdom and skill to Bezalel and Oholiab to do the intricate work of making the various parts of the tabernacle and its furnishings (see ). After the construction was completed, the sanctuary was put in place and dedicated to God (). Even though the glory of God moved into the sanctuary, it was still an earthly building, constructed by humans out of earthly materials.
The Jewish people generously brought their gifts to Moses, and from these materials the tabernacle was constructed.
God gave wisdom and skill to Bezalel and Oholiab to do the work of making the various parts of the tabernacle and its furnishings.
And then after the construction was completed, the sanctuary was put in place and dedicated to God.
But being an earthly building, it had several weaknesses.
Being an earthly building, it had several weaknesses. For one thing, it would need a certain amount of repair. Also, it was limited geographically: if it was pitched in one place, it could not be in another place. It had to be dismantled and the various parts carried from place to place. Furthermore, it belonged to the nation of Israel and not to the whole world.
It required repair and upkeep.
It had to be taken down and put back up as the nation moved about.
Also, it was limited geographically: if it was pitched in one place, it could not be in another place.
It had to be dismantled and the various parts carried from place to place.
It was subject to the ministry of sinful people.
“Divine service” in verse 1 is λατρεία latreia, meaning “veneration.”
In other words, it was a place of worshipping God, yet it was entirely earthly, being built and ministered to by sinful man.
Given by God into the ministry of sinful man,
v2-5
v2-5
v2-5
The author carefully follows the description of the Tabernacle given in the Old Testament and purposefully avoids the modifications that came about over time in the Temple.
The author carefully follows the description of the Tabernacle given in the Old Testament and purposefully avoids the modifications that came about over time in the Temple.
It was the Tabernacle which came long before the Temple which held most closely to the pattern which Moses was shown by God on Mt. Sinai.
It was the Tabernacle which came long before the Temple which held most closely to the pattern which Moses was shown by God on Mt. Sinai.
As we observed earlier, the Tabernacle was a wonderful thing.
It was a type of something greater
But the earthly tabernacle was not the “end all be all” … It was a type of something greater.
Each of the various parts of the Tabernacle carried a spiritual meaning.
The writer listed the various parts and furnishings of the tabernacle because each of these carried a spiritual meaning.
They were, as the author states later in this chapter, “Copies of the things in the heavens.”
Don’t read below:
The writer listed the various parts and furnishings of the tabernacle because each of these carried a spiritual meaning. They were “patterns of things in the heavens” (). The diagram gives a general picture of the tabernacle.
Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Let’s put back on the wall the diagram of the Tabernacle we looked at earlier.
In verse 2, where it says, “the first part” it is speaking of the first division of the Tabernacle which was the Holy Place.
Later, in verse 7 we have the phrase “the second part” which speaks of the Holy of Holies, which was also called The Most Holy Place.
In verse 3, where it says, “Behind the second veil” it speaks of this same area … the Holy of Holies.
Each of these divided spaces in the Tabernacle had its own furnishings, and each piece of furniture had its own special meaning.
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Many of the details of the original tabernacle were intended to communicate something within it’s immediate context … that is Near Eastern culture around 1450 BC.
Many of the details of the original tabernacle were intended to communicate something within it’s immediate context … that is Near Eastern culture around 1450 BC.
And some of the Tabernacles features simply intended to demonstrate that this structure was a “temple.”
And some of the Tabernacles features simply intended to demonstrate that this structure was a “temple.”
Some people today won’t recognize a building as a church unless it has a steeple … it’s what they are familiar with.
The three-part structure of the tabernacle, with the most holy place in the back in a direct line from the front entrance of the tabernacle, was standard design of Egyptian temples in Moses’ day.
Moses would have been familiar with Egyptian temples.
Often when we are given information which is beyond our understanding we interpret it based on what we are familiar with.
Moses would have been familiar with Egyptian temples.
Remember that Moses was shown a plan by God and he interpreted that plan into what was the Tabernacle … a familiar structure.
The fact that materials became more precious as they were closest to the Holy of Holies was also typical of temples of the day.
The tabernacle had the common outside of the courtyard, the more special inside the courtyard (bronze, etc) and the most precious (gold) inside the Tabernacle proper.
This signaled an increased reverence the closer one got to the Holy of Holies.
Yet there was something about the Tabernacle that was very much different from Egyptian temples.
Yet there was something about the Tabernacle that was very much different from Egyptian temples.
That is the absence of an idol.
Instead, the very shekinah glory of the Most High Living God was to be found in the most sacred part of the Tabernacle.
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Likewise, it is the case that the design of the furnishings of the Tabernacle were given to Moses by God.
Likewise, it is the case that the design of the furnishings of the Tabernacle were given to Moses by God.
These things, too, were a shadow of what was in heaven.
These things, too, were a shadow of what was in heaven.
Earlier we looked at the sizes and placement of these pieces … now let’s consider their meaning.
Earlier we looked at the sizes and placement of these pieces … now let’s consider their meaning.
Earlier we looked at the sizes and placement of these pieces … now let’s consider their meaning.
The first piece mentioned is the 7 branched golden lampstand or מְנוֹרָה Menorah (which means both lampstand and light).
This lampstand produced light by the burning of wicks which were in oil.
Now ... the Tabernacle had no windows, so all the light inside was made by the Menorah in the Holy Place.
The nation of Israel was supposed to be a light to the nations (; ).
and 49 speaks of Israel being a “Light to the Gentiles.”
Don’t read below:
“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,
Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
The Bible also speaks of Jesus Christ as the “Light of the world” in
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
And the Bible speaks of believers shining as lights in the world.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
The Menorah was made of gold and it consisted of a single column or vine stretching upwards.
The Menorah was made of gold and consisted of a single column or vine stretching upwards ...
6 branches of arms extended from the middle vine of the lamp stand, with the middle vine continuing up and ending straight above in a middle lamp.
This middle lamp, the 7th lamp was called the Shamash or servant because from it the other lamps were kindled.
And so the middle or the Shamash was thought of as being distinct from the other 6 with 6 being the number of man, the branches are believers in Christ.
The middle lamp was considered the 7th and 7 is the number of completion and so we see Jesus pictured as the completion or fulfillment of the Torah.
That the other lamps received their light from this seventh is also a picture of what we saw earlier, that Jesus is “The Light of the World.”
The other lamps were kindled from the middle light demonstrating that Jesus is the light from which we have our light.
That the other lamps were kindled from the middle light is a picture of Jesus being the fire from which we have our light.
The lamp was to burn continuously … this is a picture of Jesus’ eternally being the source of light.
The number of man is six and the number of completion is seven.
Having the six branches coming out of the main stem reminds us of what Jesus said in :
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
(NKJV) “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
This is the relationship of all believers to Jesus and those who abide in the vine are those who continue to burn brightly, but if separated from the vine, the flame extinguishes.
This is the relationship of all believers to Jesus and those who abide in the vine are those who continue to burn brightly, but if separated from the vine, the flame extinguishes.
We could go on and on about the menorah but there are more furnishings for us to talk about.
Why almonds?
Well, the almond blossom is pure white, but the almond tree is also the first in Israel to blossom and the first to bear fruit.
This speaks of the resurrection of Christ ... As Paul wrote, Jesus is the Firstfruit of resurrection, Meaning the first one risen from the dead.
And perhaps you say, “well, didn’t Jesus raise others from the dead during His ministry ... Why are they not the first?”
The answer to that is quite simple in that the others who Jesus raised from the dead such as Lazarus were resurrected into bodies that would die again.
So, let’s move on.
Jesus was resurrected never to die again and such is the future resurrection of all people ...
... Some to a joyful eternity with Christ and others to condemnation and torment in Hell.
God gave instruction to Moses, saying, “they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it” ... meaning that the other lamps should cast their light toward the middle stem ...
... Just as our lives should direct other people to the face of Jesus.
With the lamp stand, there were also wick trimmers and trays for holding the pieces of wick that were trimmed off.
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There was also the table of shewbread in the holy place.
There was also the table of shewbread in the holy place.
It was made from acacia wood and covered in gold.
It was made from acacia wood and covered in gold.
This table was kept with twelve loaves of bread on it.
This table was kept with twelve loaves of bread on it.
Each Sabbath, the priests would remove the old loaves and put fresh loaves on the table; and the old loaves would be eaten.
These loaves were called “the bread of presence” and there was one loaf for each of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Only the priests could eat this bread, and they were required to eat it in the sanctuary.
Its a reminder that God is present to sustain His people.
We might also conclude that it speaks to us today of Jesus Christ, the “Bread of Life” given to the whole world from , … though when Jesus speaks of the bread which was from heaven, He is speaking of the Mannah.
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The writer listed the various parts and furnishings of the tabernacle because each of these carried a spiritual meaning. They were “patterns of things in the heavens” (). The diagram gives a general picture of the tabernacle.
There was also the golden altar … in our text referred to as “golden censor” but a more literal translation is “golden altar.”
There was also the golden altar … in our text referred to as “golden censor” but a more literal translation is “golden altar.”
The golden altar stood in the holy place just in front of the veil that divided the two parts of the tabernacle.
The golden altar stood in the holy place just in front of the veil that divided the two parts of the tabernacle.
The word translated “censer” (a device for burning incense) () should be “altar.”
It is interesting that the author here places the golden altar in the Holy of Holies when Exodus places it in the Holy Place.
Is this a discrepancy?
Not at all.
The golden altar did not stand in the holy of holies, but its ministry pertained to the holy of holies.
In what way?
On the annual Day of Atonement, the high priest used this altar to burn incense before the mercy seat within the veil.
But in regards to regular daily use, the altar was before the curtain in the Holy Place.
Each morning and evening, a priest burned incense on this altar.
In , David suggests that this burning of incense is a picture of prayer ascending to God.
Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
But with the perfect sacrifice of Christ, the veil of separation was torn.
The altar of incense which was once outside of the veil, separated from the throne of God …
The altar of incense which was once outside of the veil, separated from the throne of God has moved inside the veil before the throne of God.
… moved inside the veil before the throne of God, … yet more than that the veil has been torn.
Earlier we read
It can be a reminder of a couple of things:
First that we have access:
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4
And second that Jesus Christ intercedes for us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
that Jesus Christ intercedes for us (Rom. 8:33–34).
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
So then we move on to the next division of the Tabernacle … the Holy of Holies.
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
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And what we find in the Holy of Holies is all together wonderful for what we were just saying.
And what we find in the Holy of Holies is all together wonderful for what we were just saying.
Here we find the throne of grace … let me explain.
The holy of holies contained only the ark of the covenant.
The holy of holies contained only the ark of the covenant.
The top of the ark (which was like a chest) was what is known as the “mercy seat” which was made of gold and had a cherub on each end.
This was the throne of God in the tabernacle.
Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the blood of a bull and a goat was sprinkled on this mercy seat to cover the evidences of man’s sin that was contained within the ark, under the mercy seat.
God looked at the manna and saw His Son, the Bread of Life.
God looked at the rod of Aaron that budded and saw resurrection.
God looked at the broken tablets of the Law and He saw the sacrifice of Christ.
God looked at the blood and saw the blood of the New Covenant as He saw it on the doors of the Israelites during the first Passover.
Christ is our “mercy seat” … He is our “propitiation.”
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
But what is different from the blood shed in the sacrifices of the Old Covenant is the blood of Jesus doesn’t just cover sin; it takes away sin … for good.
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We really could spend a large amount of time on each of these pieces of Tabernacle Furniture.
There are so many spiritual truths that are wrapped up in these things, and all of them are of value.
There are so many spiritual truths that are wrapped up in these things, and all of them are of value.
But the most important truth and the one we need to pay attention to is this: All of this was shadow and not the spiritual reality.
It was this fact that made the tabernacle of the Old Covenant inferior.
Like the feasts, these things pointed to Christ, but Christ Himself is the substance.
v6-7
v6-7
Today, we usually gather together inside a church building to worship.
But back then, the people did not go into the Tabernacle or the Temple to worship.
It was inaccessible to the common people.
It was inaccessible to the people
The priests and Levites were permitted into the tabernacle and it’s courtyard.
We must not get the idea that the Jews assembled in the tabernacle for worship. The priests and Levites were permitted into the tabernacle precincts, but not the people from the other tribes. Furthermore, though the priests ministered in the holy place day after day, only the high priest entered the holy of holies, and that only once a year. When he did, he had to offer a sacrifice for his own sins as well as for the sins of the people. In contrast, the heavenly tabernacle is open to all of the people of God, and at all times! ()
They had regular duties to perform such as keeping the Menorah lit, placing fresh loaves on the table, and burning incense on the altar.
But the regular people of Israel never saw these things.
but not the regular people of Israel.
AND though the priests ministered in the holy place day after day, only the high priest entered the holy of holies, and that only once a year.
When he did, he had to offer a sacrifice for his own sins as well as for the sins of the people.
These wonderful things of the Tabernacle were there, but the people of Israel did not enjoy them.
They were as lost to them then as they are to us today.
In contrast, the heavenly tabernacle is open to all of the people of God, and at all times.
And that is great because the former were copies of the reality which has it’s substance in Christ.
v8-10
v8-10
We might look at the divisions of the tabernacle and think of them as periods of time.
We might look at the divisions of the tabernacle and think of them as periods of time.
The courtyard being the Old Testament period with it’s washings and sacrifices.
The Holy Place being the earthly ministry of Christ, with it’s provision of the Bread of Life and the Light of the World and the sacrifice of Christ being the answered prayers of the forefathers and prophets.
The Most Holy Place with the veil torn making one large room out of the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies is the church age in which we have access to the Father through the Son and yet we have not felt, held or touched the reality of what is to come.
As Peter wrote in , “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”
Until the sacrifice of Christ, the way to the Holy of Holies was not open to man.
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whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:
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Until the sacrifice of Christ, the way to the Holy of Holies was not open to man.
Until the sacrifice of Christ, the way to the Holy of Holies was not open to man.
And the fact that the first Tabernacle was standing was proof that God’s work of salvation for man had not yet been completed.
In fact, the ministry of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) was external only with it’s system of works … it was not internal.
The sacrifices offered and the blood applied to the mercy seat could never change the heart or the conscience of a worshiper.
All of the ceremonies associated with the tabernacle had to do with ceremonial purity, not moral purity.
They were “fleshly ordinances” that pertained to the outer man but that could not change the inner man.
Sin taints everything about us.
Therefore, no matter how good we try to be, we will never meet God’s standard of perfection.
And any work or sacrifice we bring before the Father is tainted by sin … we might be impressed by our works, but God sees filthy rags.
Jesus lived a perfect life in full obedience to the law of God in thought, word, and deed.
Jesus lived a perfect life in full obedience to the law of God in thought, word, and deed.
His life was one of sinless perfection.
And though He did not deserve it, Christ submitted to the crucifixion.
His crucifixion pays our sin debt before God.
But His sinless life gives us the perfection God requires.
Through our faith in Christ, the righteousness of God is given to us.
This is called “imputed” righteousness.
To impute something is to ascribe or attribute something to someone.
When we place our faith in Christ, God ascribes the perfect righteousness of Christ to our account so that we become perfect in His sight.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The curtain that hung in the way of entrance to the presence of the Father was torn, just as Christ’s body was torn.
The curtain that hung in the way of entrance to the presence of the Father was torn, just as Christ’s body was torn.
By His death on the cross, the way was opened into the holy of holies … not by the work of man, but by the work of Christ.
The daily work of the priests, the sacrifices, the washings, the fresh bread and the fire of the menorah were a shadow of the work of Christ.
And with the completion of His perfect sacrifice, there is no longer a need for the type and shadow … now believing sinners can come into the presence of God.
As long as the priests were ministering in the holy place, the way had not yet been opened into the presence of God. But when Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom () and the way was opened into the holy of holies. There was no longer any more need for either the holy place or the holy of holies, for now believing sinners could come into the presence of God.
There was no longer any more need for either the holy place or the holy of holies, for now believing sinners could come into the presence of God.
And let’s not forget that with His resurrection, “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
So, the ministry of the tabernacle and temple was external only … it was not internal.
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Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
v11
v11
The five deficiencies of the Old Covenant sanctuary are matched with the five superiorities of the New Covenant sanctuary. In every way, the present sanctuary is superior.
The five deficiencies of the Old Covenant sanctuary are matched with the five superiorities of the New Covenant sanctuary. In every way, the present sanctuary is superior.
It is heavenly (v. 11). The writer has emphasized this fact before, because he has wanted his readers to focus their attention on the things of heaven and not on the things of earth. Some things on earth (including the beautiful Jewish temple) would soon be destroyed; but the heavenly realities would endure forever.
The Old Covenant tabernacle was made by the hands of men (). The New Covenant sanctuary was not made with hands. “Not of this building” () means “not of this creation.” The tabernacle of Moses was made with materials that belong to this creation. The heavenly tabernacle needed no such materials (). Since the heavenly tabernacle does not belong to this creation, it is free from the ravages of time.
The “good things to come” had already arrived! All that was foreshadowed by type in the tabernacle was now reality because of Christ’s priestly ministry in heaven. The tabernacle was patterned after the sanctuary in heaven, but today we no longer need the pattern. We have the eternal reality!
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 310). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
v12
v12
Starting with verse 12 we see a series of contrasts which reveal the superiority of the heavenly ministry.
For one thing, we have the contrast of a lesser sacrifice and a perfect sacrifice.
The writer will discuss the inferiority of animal sacrifices in , but here he begins to lay the foundation. We need no proof that the blood of Jesus Christ is far superior to that of animal sacrifices. How can the blood of animals ever solve the problem of humans’ sins? Jesus Christ became a Man that He might be able to die for people’s sins. His death was voluntary; it is doubtful that any Old Testament sacrifice volunteered for the job! An animal’s blood was carried by the high priest into the holy of holies, but Jesus Christ presented Himself in the presence of God as the final and complete sacrifice for sins. Of course, the animal sacrifices were repeated, while Jesus Christ offered Himself but once. Finally, no animal sacrifices ever purchased “eternal redemption.” Their blood could only “cover” sin until the time when Christ’s blood would “take away sin” (). We have “eternal redemption.” It is not conditioned on our merit or good works; it is secured once and for all by the finished work of Jesus Christ.
v13-14
v13-14
v11
v11
Another contrast is that of ceremonial cleansing verses the internal cleansing of the conscience.
The Old Covenant rituals could not change a person’s heart. This is not to say that a worshiper did not have a spiritual experience if his heart trusted God, but it does mean that the emphasis was on the external ceremonial cleansing. So long as the worshiper obeyed the prescribed regulations, he was declared clean. It was “the purifying of the flesh” but not the cleansing of the conscience. (For “the ashes of an heifer,” see .)
We learned from that the ministry of the New Covenant is internal. “I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts” (). This work is done by the Holy Spirit of God (). But the Spirit could not dwell within us if Jesus Christ had not paid for our sins. Cleansing our consciences cannot be done by some external ceremony; it demands an internal power. Because Jesus Christ is “without spot [blemish]” He was able to offer the perfect sacrifice.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 310–311). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
v15
And again with verse 15 we have a contrast … that of temporary and eternal blessings.
The blessings under the Old Covenant depended on the obedience of God’s people. If they obeyed God, He blessed them; but if they disobeyed, He withheld His blessings. Not only were the blessings temporary, but they were primarily temporal—rain, bumper crops, protection from enemies and sickness, etc. Israel’s Canaan inheritance involved material blessings. Our eternal inheritance is primarily spiritual in nature (). Note that the emphasis is on eternal—“eternal redemption” () and “eternal inheritance” (). A believer can have confidence because all that he has in Christ is eternal.
The blessings under the Old Covenant depended on the obedience of God’s people. If they obeyed God, He blessed them; but if they disobeyed, He withheld His blessings. Not only were the blessings temporary, but they were primarily temporal—rain, bumper crops, protection from enemies and sickness, etc. Israel’s Canaan inheritance involved material blessings. Our eternal inheritance is primarily spiritual in nature (). Note that the emphasis is on eternal—“eternal redemption” () and “eternal inheritance” (). A believer can have confidence because all that he has in Christ is eternal.
This verse () makes it clear that there was no final and complete redemption under the Old Covenant. Those transgressions were covered by the blood of the many sacrifices, but not cleansed until the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (). Since Christ has accomplished an eternal redemption, we are able to share in an eternal inheritance.
As we review these three contrasts, we can easily see that the ministry of Christ is effective to deal with our sins. His finished work on earth and His unfinished work of intercession in heaven are sufficient and efficient.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 311). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
v16-23
v16-23
Just as the Old Covenant sanctuary was deficient so was the New Covenant sanctuary superior.
Just as the Old Covenant sanctuary was deficient so was the New Covenant sanctuary superior.
The 5 deficiencies of the Old Covenant sanctuary are matched with the five superiorities of the New Covenant sanctuary. In every way, the present sanctuary is superior.
For one thing, the new covenant sanctuary is heavenly … that is pure, perfect, and changeless … in contrast to that which is earthly.
For one thing, the new covenant sanctuary is heavenly … that is pure, perfect, and changeless … in contrast to that which is earthly.
The ministry is based on a very costly sacrifice.
The Hebrews this letter was written to were tempted to focus their attention on the things of the old covenant … that which was earthly in exchange for the heavenly, superior things of the new covenant.
Some things on earth (including the beautiful Jewish temple) would soon be destroyed.
But the heavenly realities would endure forever.
The word “covenant” not only means “an agreement,” but it also carries the idea of “a last will and testament.” If a man writes his will, that will is not in force until he dies. It was necessary for Jesus Christ to die so that the terms of the New Covenant might be enforced. “This cup is the new testament [covenant, will] in My blood, which is shed for you” ().
The Old Covenant tabernacle was made by the hands of men () with perishable materials.
The New Covenant sanctuary was not made with hands and did not need perishable building materials.
Since the heavenly tabernacle does not belong to this creation, it is free from the corrupting influence of time.
The tabernacle of Moses was made with materials that belong to this creation.
The heavenly tabernacle needed no such materials (). Since the heavenly tabernacle does not belong to this creation, it is free from the ravages of time.
Even the Old Covenant was established on the basis of blood. is taken from , the account of the ratifying of the Old Covenant by Moses and the people of Israel. The book of the Law was sprinkled with blood, and so were the people and the tabernacle and its furnishings. It must have been a solemn occasion.
Now, look at that phrase … “the good things to come” or more fully, “Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come.”
This looks forward to what the author says in chapter 10:
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For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
The “good things to come” arrived with Christ and more so with the fulfillment of His earthly ministry and even more so with His priestly ministry in Heaven.
The “good things to come” had already arrived!
All that was foreshadowed by type in the tabernacle was now reality because of the ministry of Christ.
The tabernacle was patterned after the sanctuary in heaven, but today we no longer need the pattern.
Not only was blood used at the beginning of the ministry of the Old Covenant, but it was used in the regular administration of the tabernacle service. Under the Old Covenant, people and objects were purified by blood, water, or fire (). This was, of course, ceremonial purification; it meant that the persons and objects were now acceptable to God. The purification did not alter the nature of the person or object. God’s principle is that blood must be shed before sin can be forgiven ().
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 310). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
We have the eternal reality.
Since God has ordained that remission of sins is through the shedding of blood, and since purification comes through the sprinkling of blood, it is necessary that blood be shed and applied if the New Covenant is to be in force. The “patterns” (the Old Covenant tabernacle) were purified by the sprinkling of the blood. But the “originals” were also purified! The blood of Jesus Christ not only purifies the conscience of the believer (), but also purified the “heavenly things” (, nasb).
v12
v12
How could the heavenly sanctuary ever become defiled? We can understand how the earthly sanctuary could be defiled since it was used by sinful men. Each year, on the great Day of Atonement, the tabernacle was purified through the sprinkling of blood (). But how could a heavenly sanctuary ever become defiled? Certainly nothing in heaven is defiled in a literal sense, for sin cannot pollute the sanctuary of God. But, for that matter, nothing in the earthly tabernacle was literally defiled by sin. It all had to do with people’s relationships to God. The blood sprinkled on a piece of furniture did not change the nature of that piece, but it changed God’s relationship to it. God could enter into communion with people because of the sprinkled blood.
Starting with verse 12 we have a series of contrasts which reveal the superiority of the heavenly ministry.
Starting with verse 12 we have a series of contrasts which reveal the superiority of the heavenly ministry.
Through Jesus Christ, we who are sinners can enter into the holy of holies in the heavenly sanctuary (). Physically, of course, we are on earth; but spiritually, we are communing with God in the heavenly holy of holies. In order for God to receive us into this heavenly fellowship, the blood of Jesus Christ had to be applied. We enter into God’s presence “by the blood of Jesus” ().
For one thing, we have the contrast of a lesser sacrifice and a perfect sacrifice.
For one thing, we have the contrast of a lesser sacrifice and a perfect sacrifice.
Now we can summarize the writer’s discussion. The Old Covenant was established by blood, and so was the New Covenant. But the New Covenant was established on the basis of a better sacrifice, applied in a better place! The patterns (types) were purified by the blood of animals, but the original sanctuary was purified by the blood of the Son of God. This was a far more costly sacrifice.
We’ll get to the inferiority of animal sacrifices in , but the author begins to lay the foundation for that here.
Speaking of , there it says:
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
That the blood sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ is superior to that of animal sacrifices is not something we have to debate.
It is self evident and logical.
We need no proof that the blood of Jesus Christ is far superior to that of animal sacrifices.
We need no proof that the blood of Jesus Christ is far superior to that of animal sacrifices.
We need no proof that the blood of Jesus Christ is far superior to that of animal sacrifices.
How can the blood of animals ever solve the problem of humans’ sins?
Self evident in that animals are lower than man and logical in that only a greater sacrifice could suffice.
Jesus Christ became a Man so that He could die for people’s sins.
Jesus Christ became a Man so that He could die for people’s sins.
His death was willing and voluntary.
I doubt any bull, lamb, or goat ever volunteered to be sacrificed.
So then, here is a great contrast:
The high priest on the annual Day of Atonement brought the blood of a bull for himself and that of a goat for the people.
The high priest on the annual Day of Atonement brought the blood of a bull for himself and that of a goat for the people
Jesus Christ presented Himself in the presence of God as the final and complete sacrifice for sins.
An animal’s blood was carried by the high priest into the holy of holies, but Jesus Christ presented Himself in the presence of God as the final and complete sacrifice for sins.
To some of the Pharisees, Jesus said … speaking of His life, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.”
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No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Another contrast with animal sacrifices is that they had to be repeated over and over.
Jesus Christ, however, needed to offer Himself just once.
Jesus Christ, however, needed to offer Himself just once.
That is because no animal sacrifices ever purchased “eternal redemption” only the temporary “covering” of sins.
As John the Baptist declared … Jesus Christ is the, “Lamb of God who [took] away the sin of the world.”
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Finally, no animal sacrifices ever purchased “eternal redemption.”
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Through Christ we have once-for-all, eternal redemption.
Their blood could only “cover” sin until the time when Christ’s blood would “take away sin” ().
We have “eternal redemption.”
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 311–312). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
This salvation is not due to our merit or good works.
It is secured once and for all by the finished work of Jesus Christ.
v13-14
v13-14
v24
v24
A second contrast is that of ceremonial cleansing verses the internal cleansing of the conscience.
A second contrast is that of ceremonial cleansing verses the internal cleansing of the conscience.
The ministry of the earthly tabernacle and temple was just a shadow … the heavenly is the reality.
The New Covenant Christian has reality! We are not depending on a high priest on earth who annually visits the holy of holies in a temporary sanctuary. We depend on the heavenly High Priest who has entered once and for all into the eternal sanctuary. There He represents us before God, and He always will.
The Old Covenant rituals could not change a person’s heart.
The Old Covenant rituals could not change a person’s heart.
This is not to say that the sacrificial system was without merit or had no power or was not a genuine spiritual experience for the heart that trusted God.
But the emphasis of the Old Testament sacrificial system was on external, ceremonial cleansing.
As long as the worshiper obeyed the prescribed regulations, he was declared clean.
As long as the worshiper obeyed the prescribed regulations, he was declared clean.
But even then, the author notes, it was “the purifying of the flesh” but not the cleansing of the conscience.
The New Covenant Christian has reality! We are not depending on a high priest on earth who annually visits the holy of holies in a temporary sanctuary. We depend on the heavenly High Priest who has entered once and for all into the eternal sanctuary. There He represents us before God, and He always will.
The ministry of the New Covenant is internal.
In , we are reminded of what God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah: “I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts.”
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For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Hebrews 8:10
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians … This work is done by the Holy Spirit of God … “written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.”
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“I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts” (). This work is done by the Holy Spirit of God (). But the Spirit could not dwell within us if Jesus Christ had not paid for our sins. Cleansing our consciences cannot be done by some external ceremony; it demands an internal power. Because Jesus Christ is “without spot [blemish]” He was able to offer the perfect sacrifice.
clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
Cleansing our consciences cannot be done by some external ceremony; it requires an internal power.
But the Spirit could not dwell within us if Jesus Christ had not paid for our sins.
Because Jesus died on the cross, rose again and then ascended to the Father, we have that internal power ... the Holy Spirit.
Cleansing our consciences cannot be done by some external ceremony; it demands an internal power.
Jesus promised:
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
In fact, speaking of the ministry of the Holy Spirit prior to His ascension to the Father and then after His ascension, Jesus continued, saying, “For He dwells with you and WILL BE in you.”
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the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14
Truly then, the sacrifice of Christ was much more effective than the sacrifice of animals.
Truly then, the sacrifice of Christ was much more effective than the sacrifice of animals.
Because Jesus Christ is “without spot [blemish]” He was able to offer the perfect sacrifice.
Beware of trusting anything for your spiritual life that is “made with hands” (). It will not last. The tabernacle was replaced by Solomon’s temple, and that temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. When the Jews returned to their land after the Captivity, they rebuilt their temple; and King Herod, in later years, expanded and embellished it. But the Romans destroyed that temple, and it has never been rebuilt. Furthermore, since the genealogical records have been lost or destroyed, the Jews are not certain who can minister as priests. These things that are “made with hands” are perishable, but the things “not made with hands” are eternal.
v15
v15
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 312). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
v15
v15
v25-28
Mediator is the Greek word μεσίτης Mesitēs.
That word was most often used in legal connotations.
That word was most often used in legal connotations.
It referred to an arbiter or a peacemaker in legal or business disputes.
It referred to an arbiter or a peacemaker in legal or business disputes.
Moses mediated between God and Israel in the Old Covenant.
And as the author points out here … Christ as mediator of the new covenant has stood between God and people.
By His death, He has liberated us, He has set us free, He has established the way that we can be forgiven for our sins.
Christ as mediator of the new covenant has stood between God and people
This is a blessing of the new covenant … the sins of God’s people are remembered “no more.” ()
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For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
And again with verse 15 we have a contrast … that of temporary and eternal blessings.
And again with verse 15 we have a contrast … that of temporary and eternal blessings.
And we’ll close with this idea … the ministry of the former is over.
The blessings under the Old Covenant depended on the obedience of God’s people.
The blessings under the Old Covenant depended on the obedience of God’s people.
If they obeyed God, He blessed them; but if they disobeyed, He withheld His blessings.
If they obeyed God, He blessed them; but if they disobeyed, He withheld His blessings.
Israel’s Canaan inheritance involved material blessings.
And for the most part, the blessings were both temporary and
Not only were the blessings temporary, but they were primarily temporal—rain, bumper crops, protection from enemies and sickness, etc.
Our eternal inheritance is primarily spiritual in nature.
Israel’s Canaan inheritance involved material blessings. Our eternal inheritance is primarily spiritual in nature (). Note that the emphasis is on eternal—“eternal redemption” () and “eternal inheritance” (). A believer can have confidence because all that he has in Christ is eternal.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Under the Old Covenant there was no final and complete redemption.
Sins were covered by the blood of the many sacrifices, but not cleansed until the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Verse 12
This is quite a contrast … temporary, earthly blessings … verses eternal spiritual blessings.
This is quite a contrast … temporary, earthly blessings … verses eternal spiritual blessings.
Note that the emphasis is on eternal—“eternal redemption” () and “eternal inheritance” ().
Sins temporarily covered … verses eternal redemption in verse 12 and eternal inheritance in verse 15.
Let me close with this:
A believer can have confidence because all that he has in Christ is eternal.
There can be nothing incomplete or temporary about our Lord’s ministry in heaven. The writer pointed out again the obvious contrasts between the Old Covenant ministry and the New Covenant ministry.
Since Christ has accomplished an eternal redemption, we are able to share in an eternal inheritance.
There was no final and complete redemption under the Old Covenant.
Sins were covered by the blood of the many sacrifices, but not cleansed until the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The ministry of Christ is effective to deal with our sins.
There can be nothing incomplete or temporary about our Lord’s ministry in heaven. The writer pointed out again the obvious contrasts between the Old Covenant ministry and the New Covenant ministry.
As we review these three contrasts, we can easily see that the ministry of Christ is effective to deal with our sins. His finished work on earth and His unfinished work of intercession in heaven are sufficient and efficient.
His finished work on earth and His unfinished work of intercession in heaven are sufficient and efficient.
Old Covenant
Let’s pray: Lord, we thank you for this time we have had together worshipping You and studying Your Word. We thank you that You are faithful and Your mercy endures forever. Increase our love for one another and for all, establish us in all things. Keep our minds and our hands from evil and protect us from the deceptions of our enemy the devil. Thank You for being our Great High Priest. Lord, we thank You for that good work that You have begun in us and will bring to completion. Lead us in works that glorify You.
The ministry is based on a very costly sacrifice.
New Covenant
The word “covenant” not only means “an agreement,” but it also carries the idea of “a last will and testament.” If a man writes his will, that will is not in force until he dies. It was necessary for Jesus Christ to die so that the terms of the New Covenant might be enforced. “This cup is the new testament [covenant, will] in My blood, which is shed for you” ().
Even the Old Covenant was established on the basis of blood. is taken from , the account of the ratifying of the Old Covenant by Moses and the people of Israel. The book of the Law was sprinkled with blood, and so were the people and the tabernacle and its furnishings. It must have been a solemn occasion.
Repeated sacrifices
Not only was blood used at the beginning of the ministry of the Old Covenant, but it was used in the regular administration of the tabernacle service. Under the Old Covenant, people and objects were purified by blood, water, or fire (). This was, of course, ceremonial purification; it meant that the persons and objects were now acceptable to God. The purification did not alter the nature of the person or object. God’s principle is that blood must be shed before sin can be forgiven ().
Since God has ordained that remission of sins is through the shedding of blood, and since purification comes through the sprinkling of blood, it is necessary that blood be shed and applied if the New Covenant is to be in force. The “patterns” (the Old Covenant tabernacle) were purified by the sprinkling of the blood. But the “originals” were also purified! The blood of Jesus Christ not only purifies the conscience of the believer (), but also purified the “heavenly things” (, nasb).
One sacrifice
How could the heavenly sanctuary ever become defiled? We can understand how the earthly sanctuary could be defiled since it was used by sinful men. Each year, on the great Day of Atonement, the tabernacle was purified through the sprinkling of blood (). But how could a heavenly sanctuary ever become defiled? Certainly nothing in heaven is defiled in a literal sense, for sin cannot pollute the sanctuary of God. But, for that matter, nothing in the earthly tabernacle was literally defiled by sin. It all had to do with people’s relationships to God. The blood sprinkled on a piece of furniture did not change the nature of that piece, but it changed God’s relationship to it. God could enter into communion with people because of the sprinkled blood.
Through Jesus Christ, we who are sinners can enter into the holy of holies in the heavenly sanctuary (). Physically, of course, we are on earth; but spiritually, we are communing with God in the heavenly holy of holies. In order for God to receive us into this heavenly fellowship, the blood of Jesus Christ had to be applied. We enter into God’s presence “by the blood of Jesus” ().
The blood of others
Now we can summarize the writer’s discussion. The Old Covenant was established by blood, and so was the New Covenant. But the New Covenant was established on the basis of a better sacrifice, applied in a better place! The patterns (types) were purified by the blood of animals, but the original sanctuary was purified by the blood of the Son of God. This was a far more costly sacrifice.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 311–312). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
His own blood
v24
v24
The ministry of the earthly tabernacle and temple was just a shadow … the heavenly is the reality.
Covering sin
The New Covenant Christian has reality! We are not depending on a high priest on earth who annually visits the holy of holies in a temporary sanctuary. We depend on the heavenly High Priest who has entered once and for all into the eternal sanctuary. There He represents us before God, and He always will.
Beware of trusting anything for your spiritual life that is “made with hands” (). It will not last. The tabernacle was replaced by Solomon’s temple, and that temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. When the Jews returned to their land after the Captivity, they rebuilt their temple; and King Herod, in later years, expanded and embellished it. But the Romans destroyed that temple, and it has never been rebuilt. Furthermore, since the genealogical records have been lost or destroyed, the Jews are not certain who can minister as priests. These things that are “made with hands” are perishable, but the things “not made with hands” are eternal.
putting away sin
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 312). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
v25-28
For Israel only
And we’ll close with this idea … the ministry of the former is over.
There can be nothing incomplete or temporary about our Lord’s ministry in heaven. The writer pointed out again the obvious contrasts between the Old Covenant ministry and the New Covenant ministry.
For all sinners
Old Covenant
Left the holy of holies
New Covenant
Entered heaven and remains there
Repeated sacrifices
Came out to bless the people
One sacrifice
will come to take His people to heaven
In short, the work of Christ is a completed work, final and eternal. On the basis of His completed work, He is ministering now in heaven on our behalf.
The blood of others
Did you notice that the word “appear” is used three times in ? These three uses give us a summary of our Lord’s work. He has appeared to put away sin by dying on the cross (). He is appearing now in heaven for us (). One day, He shall appear to take Christians home (). These “three tenses of salvation” are all based on His finished work.
After reading this chapter, the Hebrew Christians who received this letter had to realize that there is no middle ground. They had to make a choice between the earthly or the heavenly, the temporary or the eternal, the incomplete or the complete. Why not return to the temple but also practice the Christian faith? Why not “the best of both worlds”? Because that would be compromising and refusing to go “without the camp, bearing His reproach” (). So there is no middle way.
His own blood
The believer’s sanctuary is in heaven. His Father is in heaven and his Saviour is in heaven. His citizenship is in heaven () and his treasures should be in heaven (). And his hope is in heaven. The true believer walks by faith, not by sight. No matter what may happen on earth, a believer can be confident because everything is settled in heaven.
Covering sin
putting away sin
For Israel only
For all sinners
Left the holy of holies
Entered heaven and remains there
Came out to bless the people
will come to take His people to heaven
In short, the work of Christ is a completed work, final and eternal. On the basis of His completed work, He is ministering now in heaven on our behalf.
Did you notice that the word “appear” is used three times in ? These three uses give us a summary of our Lord’s work. He has appeared to put away sin by dying on the cross (). He is appearing now in heaven for us (). One day, He shall appear to take Christians home (). These “three tenses of salvation” are all based on His finished work.
After reading this chapter, the Hebrew Christians who received this letter had to realize that there is no middle ground. They had to make a choice between the earthly or the heavenly, the temporary or the eternal, the incomplete or the complete. Why not return to the temple but also practice the Christian faith? Why not “the best of both worlds”? Because that would be compromising and refusing to go “without the camp, bearing His reproach” (). So there is no middle way.
The believer’s sanctuary is in heaven. His Father is in heaven and his Saviour is in heaven. His citizenship is in heaven () and his treasures should be in heaven (). And his hope is in heaven. The true believer walks by faith, not by sight. No matter what may happen on earth, a believer can be confident because everything is settled in heaven.
