A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time,  indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” Hebrews 9:1-10

“We shall examine the first covenant which had ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary according to the first verse of this chapter. The significance of each part given is to show us more about the Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry of the earthly priesthood and the first tabernacle. In the first tabernacle there are three objects mentioned. There is the candlestick, the table and the shewbread where the priests went at will. In the second tabernacle there is the golden censer and the Ark of the Covenant which contained the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant. The high priest, alone, went in once a year. The first tabernacle pictured the fellowship that is in Christ, whereas the second tabernacle pictured the fragrance that is in Christ. When we are referring to the tabernacle first and second, we are not doing so to describe two separate buildings, but instead it is showing two sections of the one overall tabernacle. The first was called the holy place in distinction from the holy of holies which was the second part of the tabernacle. The first was more common and available to be accessed, but the second was reserved for the high priest alone, on the Day of Atonement. It was separated by a veil. The earthly priesthood involved the entire order of Aaron and Melchizedek with all of the included rituals and ceremonies. Everything that is being described in this section pertains and relates to the time of ministry and worship as it took place upon the earth. This is the worship that took place before the birth, the death and the resurrection of Christ. Though this worship was earthly in nature, it pictured that which was heavenly and eternal as it pertained to God. The first tabernacle pictured a place of sacred fellowship that ultimately will be found in Christ alone.” (Hebrews: Looking Unto Jesus, by W. Max Alderman)

The old covenant and the new – the first tabernacle and the second – the priesthood of Aaron and Melchizedek and now Jesus Christ, the final high priest. One required sacrifices of animals and offerings of first-fruits – the second requires faith in Jesus who is the final sacrifice for all people. The first pictured or imagined a relationship with G-d – the second finalized that relationship with G-d through Jesus – who was both fully human and divine. There is no need for other sacrifices except a humble and contrite heart. This will be the theme for the week – seeking the humble and contrite heart as we look to Jesus who fulfills the promises of the law and the prophets. What do you think it means to have a humble and contrite heart?

Pastor Dave