July 29, 2021 – 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

“Here, the writer makes a comment about how this arrangement—man separated from God, with the path to the holy places closed off—is symbolic of the “present age.” This terminology is intended to be taken from the perspective of “past as present.” In other words, speaking as those who were functioning under this law since Moses, the writer indicates that the symbolic separation is related to this very process of priests and sacrifices and curtained rooms. When Jesus was crucified, this temple veil was torn—literally—and the separation between man and God was eliminated.” (Matthew 27:50–51). (Bibleref.com, Hebrews 9:9)

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.

What do you think it means to have a humble and contrite heart? How might you live your day, your week, your month demonstrating a humble and contrite heart?

Pastor Dave