NOW EVEN THE FIRST COVENANT: men oun kai e prote: (Heb 8:7,13)

Literally "now even the first" (covenant is added by the translators).

Note that the key word in Hebrews 9 is blood which is found 12 times in 10 verses (He 9:7, 12 [2x] He 9:13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 [2x], He 9:25). Another key phrase is "divine worship" (He 9:1, 6)

The chapter break should have included Hebrews 8:13 as it clearly relates to the author's thought in this chapter. F B Hole (Who is he?) rightly says that...

CHAPTER 8 ends with the ominous words, "ready to vanish away." Thus it was that the Holy Spirit, who inspired these words, prepared the minds of the Jewish disciples for the disappearance of their venerated religious system, which came to pass within a very few years by the destruction of Jerusalem. The temple being destroyed, the priesthood slain, the sacrifices stopped, Judaism has become but the pale and bloodless shadow of its former self. And in itself, and at its best, it was only a shadow of good things to come.

The writer thus takes up his argument from his point at which he left off just before quoting from Jeremiah 31:31, 32, 33, 34. In this chapter the writer proceeds to discuss the offering of our great High Priest and to contrast it with the Old Testament offerings and in introducing this subject he gives a review of the Old Testament tabernacle and the regulations for worship. In so doing, he is building his case based upon his Jewish readers' knowledge of this institution in order that he might begin to unfold the surpassing advantages of the more excellent ministry of the Messiah.

He first introduces two subjects, the regulations for worship and the earthly tabernacle, discussing the tabernacle in He 9:2, 3, 4, 5, the regulations of worship in He 9:6, 7 and the significance of the tabernacle and regulations in He 9:8, 9, 10.

John Phillips notes that...

In this section the writer of Hebrews compares the earthly sanctuary, given to the Hebrew people, with the true, heavenly sanctuary now opened up for the people of God. Because of the provisions of Calvary, we have a better sanctuary. Israel's earthly sanctuaries, both the Tabernacle and the Temple, were indeed ordained of God but were rudimentary, illustrative, temporary, and suited only for those still in their spiritual infancy. These earthly shrines were given by God only until such time as a higher and more spiritual revelation could be given. Calvary has made such a higher revelation possible. (Phillips, John: Exploring Hebrews: An Expository Commentary)

William Kelly (Who is he?) writes that...

The apostle proceeds to draw out, in contrast with the principles of the first covenant, that which the prophet declared should take its place, or rather that which is the Christian's portion now that Christ is dead, risen, and ascended. It is the way into the holies now made manifest; the conscience purged by the blood of Christ from dead works to serve the living God; and the eternal inheritance of which they that are called receive the promise... All was of the first creation, shadowy and provisional, at best the witness of good things to come, as the tabernacle itself was of testimony, not one thing there of intrinsic excellency or divinely efficacious. Such is ritualism. Only it is now beyond measure evil for faith and practice: because it is condemned and annulled by the cross of Christ It is despite of the Spirit of grace sent down from heaven; it is the gainsaying of Korah against the true Moses and Aaron — even Christ now on high. The Jewish system had divine sanction till Christ came, accomplished His work, and took His seat on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. Ritualism in the Christian congregation is not only ignorance "but contempt, however unwitting, of the gospel as well as of the church, and what is graver still, of Christ's work and priesthood. The grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ is virtually denied, yea, and destroyed by it, so far as falsehood can. (Commentary)

John MacArthur introduces this chapter reminding us of the basic principle that...

Even the first - Not the first tabernacle but the first Covenant, which is the word added to the translation although not in the original Greek. Clearly the writer is continuing his discussion of the obsolete, ready to disappear Old Covenant with the better covenant, the New Covenant.

To Christians today, most of whom are Gentiles and thus less familiar with the Old Testament, Hebrews 9 can be somewhat difficult to understand. We need to remember that the intended audience was Hebrew  professing believers who were very familiar with the subjects of the tabernacle, the sacrifices and various laws pertaining to food, etc. Keep in mind a main goal of the writer in this section is to explain to his Hebrew audience how their consciences can be purified from the dead works, something that was not possible through all of the Old Covenant rituals and sacrifices. This background should motivate all of us to have a greater appreciation for this chapter, for who does not desire a "clean conscience"?

I highly recommend listening to Dr Stedman's Mp3 on Hebrews 9 entitled "A Clear Conscience"  - the transcript is good but the audio is excellent - this is a powerfully practically presentation of how to live the Christian life - Dear brother or sister, you must listen! If you want more on a related subject listen to Dr Stedman's message entitled Legalism

Spurgeon writes...

That is to say, a material sanctuary, a sanctuary made out of such things as this world contains. Under the old covenant, there were certain outward symbols. Under the new covenant, we have not the symbols, but we have the substance itself. The old law dealt with types and shadows, but the gospel deals with the spiritual realities themselves.

The term first covenant (Click for summary of Covenant in the Bible) refers to the Old Covenant which God made with the nation of Israel at Mt Sinai after they had been delivered from bondage in Egypt. The first covenant was a temporary covenant as signified by the earthly character of the sanctuary. Likewise, the tabernacle (think of a tent) was temporary. Temporary yes, but worthless, no. In fact the tabernacle was intended to hold such a central place in the life of Israel that Moses was warned not to deviate one iota from the pattern given him when he had it constructed. Everything about the Tabernacle was intended to be a word picture ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.

Keep in mind that the two unconditional covenants, Abrahamic and New, are related, and both are entered into by grace through faith. The New Covenant while a distinct covenant is in a sense an expansion of the Abrahamic Covenant, and adds the features that the Law would be written on hearts (implying the desire and power to obey) and forgiveness for sins was granted (not mentioned under the Abrahamic Covenant). The relationship between the Abrahamic, Old and New Covenants can be summarized as follows.

HAD REGULATIONS OF DIVINE WORSHIP AND THE EARTHLY SANCTUARY: eichen (3SIAI) men oun kai e prote skene dikaiomata latreias to te hagion kosmikon: (Hebrews 9:10; Leviticus 18:3,4,30; 22:9; Nu 9:12; Ezek 43:11; Lk 1:6) (He 9:10,11; 8:2; Ex 25:8; Col 2:8)

they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. (Heb 9:10-note)

Divine worship -  Note that divine is added by the translators to modify worship. Latreia (see below) describes the service of the tabernacle, and dikaioma the precepts which regulated to the divine worship.

Vine adds the noun latreia,

originally signified the work of a hired servant, as distinguished from the compulsory service of the slave, but in the course of time it largely lost that significance, and in its usage in Scripture the thought of adoration was added to that of free obedience. Used of the service of God, the word gained the idea of a service characterized by worship. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson or Logos)

John 16:2 "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. (Lesson - Not everything that looks like "religious service" is legitimate God glorifying service. Why do you do what you do at church? Is it an overflow of worship [cf worth-ship] or an outflow of fleshly activity?)

Romans 12:1 (note)  I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service (latreia) of worship. (Note that Paul does not urge us to carry out religious activity/service in order to be acceptable to God. Do we really follow this divine formula today -- first surrendering ourselves as an act of worship, then serving as an outflow of our passion, gratitude and love toward God Who has shown us such great mercies?)

Sanctuary (40) (hagios) is literally the word holy and strictly speaking refers to whoever or whatever is set apart (sanctified) for a special purpose. In the New Testament,  saints are holy ones in character having been set apart by God to be exclusively His possession, to be dedicated to Him and to manifest holiness of heart and conduct in contrast to the impurity of the unbelievers (Jew or Gentile). Saints are set aside for sacred use. Here a specific local is set apart for sacred use. The

In this context hagios represents the entire tabernacle complex. The Septuagint (LXX)  uses hagios with a similar meaning in

Exodus 36:3 And they received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. (Hebrew = qodesh = apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness;  set-apartness; Lxx = hagios) And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning.
 

Numbers 3:38 Now those who were to camp before the tabernacle eastward, before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, are Moses and Aaron and his sons, performing the duties of the sanctuary (Hebrews = miqdash = sacred place; Lxx = hagios) for the obligation of the sons of Israel; but the layman coming near was to be put to death.

As an aside let us consider an important application of this truth of "God within His sanctuary", because many genuine believers have the misconception that they must come to a church building at a certain time with certain songs, etc, in order to truly worship the Living Lord. It is amazing how we can become fixated on systems, rituals, traditions, etc.  In fact worship can be (and should be) our habitual, continual practice for we "carry the sanctuary of God" wherever we go, be it the kitchen, the school or the workplace. If we would really come to grasp the depth of this truth, would it not radically impact our daily lives and turn our mourning into dancing and times of drudgery into devotion? I think it might! I think this would certainly be the Lord's desire for His children. Later in this same letter in fact the writer exhorts the believers (and he includes himself in this exhortation)...

Through Him (Jesus our Great High Priest) then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (see notes Hebrews 13:15; 16)

FOR THERE WAS A TABERNACLE PREPARED: skene gar kateskeuasthe (3SAPI): (Exodus 26:1-30; 29:1,35; 36:8-38; 39:32, 33, 34; 40:2,18, 19, 20)

There was a tabernacle - This phrase refers to the Tent of Meeting or Tent of the Testimony which and is synonymous in this context with the Sanctuary he has just mentioned. See the diagram above for the schematic of the Tabernacle and its "furniture".

Notice that the writer focuses upon the Tabernacle in the wilderness rather than upon the Temple presumably because he had previously alluded to it in quoting from Exodus 25:40...

And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain. (quoted He 8:5 - see note)

Keeping in mind that he is contrasting the Old Covenant with the New Covenant, it is only natural that the Tabernacle be used in his argument rather than the Temple, because of the association of the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting) with the giving of the Law (Old Covenant) at Mount Sinai.

Tabernacle (ISBE Article) (4633) (skene) means tent, booth, cloth hut and  here specifically the tabernacle which was made largely of skins and was designed to be portable, which emphasizes the essence of impermanence. The tabernacle gave every impression of being a temporary structure. It is fascinating that while there are only two chapters devoted to the creation, there are some fifty chapters that deal with the Tabernacle (esp Ex 25-40). Clearly, God is saying that the Tabernacle is important and demands attention. As so many expositors over the years have noted, the Tabernacle was essentially a "giant portrait of Jesus Christ" (See related study on Covenant: Abrahamic versus Mosaic). Everywhere you look in the Tabernacle you can see the Messiah.

Spurgeon comments that...

All this was by divine appointment; the form of the rooms, the style of the furniture, everything was ordained of God; and that not merely for ornament, but for purposes of instruction. As we shall see farther on, the Holy Ghost intended a significance, a teaching, a meaning, about everything in the old tabernacle, whether it was a candlestick, or a table, or the showbread.

Prepared (2680) (kataskeuazo from katá = intensifies the meaning of + skeuazo = prepare <> from skeuos = implement, vessel) is a verb which means to cause to be thoroughly prepared. It means to make, construct or erect with idea of adorning and equipping with all things necessary. Kataskeuazo was the word used to describe the preparing of a way before oriental monarch (see these uses in Mt 11:10; Mk 1:2; Lk 7:27 from Malachi 3:1).

One purpose for which the earthly tabernacle was prepared was so that it might be a place of worship, where God would meet with His people. Moses records

And let them construct a sanctuary (Hebrew = miqdash = sacred place, holy place; LXX = hagiasma = space set aside for devotion) for Me, that I may dwell (or "tabernacle" among - the Hebrew word shakan - gives us the word "Shekinah" which describes the cloud of God's glory) among them. (Exodus 25:8) (Comment: Notice that in this passage the word sanctuary  refers to the Tabernacle as a whole unit.)

And I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to minister as priests to Me. And I will dwell (Hebrew = shakan > "Shekinah") among the sons of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God Who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them; I am the LORD their God. (Ex 29:44-46)

Centuries later the apostle John records that

the Word (the Lord Jesus Christ described in John 1:1 and here clearly identified as a Man, the God-Man) became flesh, and did tabernacle (skeuoo - to live or dwell) among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) (Comment: As an aside ["rabbit trail"], think of the original Tabernacle which had the Shekinah cloud of glory, the manifestation of God's presence among His people Israel, and then recall the fact that Ezekiel 9-11 describes the departure from the Temple of this Shekinah glory cloud. And so for some 400 years the Temple had no Shekinah cloud, until the apostle John describes the Living Word, the Lord Jesus, Who is the sum and substance of the OT glory cloud, albeit in veiled form for most of His earthly ministry, His transfiguration being the brief exception. See related topic Glory of the LORD: Past, Present, Future)

Refer to the diagram of the Tabernacle above, remembering that it was a shadow or picture of the Lord Jesus Christ (see related topic Typology - Study of Biblical types). The courtyard of the Tabernacle was 150' x 75'. Its single gate, on the east side, was 30' wide x 7.5' high, allowing a large number of people to enter at the same time a graphic picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who declared I am the way and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me (John 14:6) and I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) Just as there was only one entrance to the Tabernacle, there is only one way to God, the only Way and the only Door, Jesus Christ. Many who resist the truth of God's Word and His gospel argue that Christianity is too narrow, too restrictive, too exclusive. In that sense, they are correct but not because Christians make it that way, but because God has declared it to be so. The tragedy is that many times believers (some simply professors, some undoubtedly genuine believers) have made Christianity "exclusive" in the wrong ways or by the wrong means, neither of which was ever intended by God. I am reminded of Paul's quotation (OT quotes in NAS are in all caps) in Romans 10...

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him for "WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (Ro 10:12, 13-note)

Comment: In regard to the accusation that Christianity is exclusive, this verse explains that God's invitation to come in the Door is open to "whoever will call..."

The door of the Tabernacle always faced East (Ezekiel 11:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 44:1,2). The Tribe of Judah was encamped directly to the East of this door! (see Numbers 2:3 "toward the sunrise"!) (Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah - see Re 5:5-note)

The first article in the outer court was the bronze altar, of acacia wood sheathed with bronze, 7.5' square, 4.5' off the ground, topped with a bronze grate.

The first article in outer courtyard directly in front of the ENTRY DOOR (Ex 40:6) was the ALTAR OF BRASS (Ex 27:1, 2) with 4 horns, one on each corner, standing 3 cubits off the ground. When the people brought an offering to the Lord, either for reconciliation because of sin or for consecration, the sacrifice was tied to the horns of the altar.

Psalm 118:27 says

The LORD is God, and He has given us light. Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. (Spurgeon's Note)

The offerer laid his hands on the head of the offering, symbolic of his identification with the animal's substitutionary death on his behalf—his sins were "transferred" to the sacrifices, and the life of the sacrifice was transferred to him. Coals of fire were inside this 5 square cubit box. A brass grate covered the coals of fire that held the sacrifice as it was consumed by the fire. The altar of brass was God's picture of the "Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!" (Jn 1:29, He 1:3, 2:9, 17-see notes He 1:3,2:9, 2:17), nailed ("tied") to the Cross for our sins displaying Him publicly just as the sacrificial animal was displayed (Ro 3:24, 25, 5:8-see notes Ro 3:24; 25 ;  5:8, 2Cor 5:21), baptized with a baptism of fire.

Next one encountered the LAVER which was between the ALTAR and the opening of the Holy Place where the priests washed daily (Ex 30:18, 19, 20, 21) so that they might not die. They could not enter the Holy Place without washing, this "washing" speaking of the HOLINESS God demands of all who would seek His face. (Lev 11:44) The LAVER was also made of bronze, a symbol of judgment (cf Re 1:5-note). It had two parts: the circular brass bowl made from the polished brass mirrors that the women brought with them from Egypt, and the brass foot or pedestal (Ex  38:8).

Jesus, the Word of God, said we are made clean through the Word He spoke to us. For example Jesus said to Peter

He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. (John 13:10). (see related topic Typology - Study of Biblical types)

Have you "washed" today? Can you enter the Holy Place to worship a Holy God or would you be impeded from entry into His Presence because of unconfessed sin?

The Word of God is like a mirror that reminds us who we are so that our conscience is pricked by His Spirit and we "come clean" through confession and repentance. James writes that...

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. (James 1:23, 24, 25-notes)

Moving westward we come to the Tabernacle proper (45' long x 15' wide x 15' high). The Holy Place took up 2/3's of the area so that the Holy of Holies was a perfect 15' cube. Only the priests could go into the Holy Place, in which were three pieces of furniture. The writer of Hebrews mentions only two, because, as he says, he cannot speak in detail (Heb 9:5).

THE OUTER ONE IN WHICH WERE THE LAMPSTAND: e prote en e e te luchnia: (Exodus 25:23-40; 26:35; 37:10-24; 39:36, 37, 38; 40:4,22, 23, 24)

Literally it reads...

for a tabernacle was prepared, the first, in which was both the lamp-stand, and the table, and the bread of the presence -- which is called 'Holy;'

The outer one - The outer (first) room of the Tabernacle which was separated by a veil from the inner room which contained the Ark of the Covenant, representing the place where God dwelled.

Outer (4413) (protos) refers to the former or first in a series or set.

Lampstand (Dictionary Article) (3087) (luchnia from luchnos = portable lamp fed with oil, not a candle <> leukos = White, shining) refers to a candlestick and was used in the Septuagint (LXX) for the Menorah, the golden lampstand in the Holy Place, the first or outer division of the Tabernacle (Ex 25:32, 33, 34, 35, 26:35 )

On the left, as the priest entered, was a pure gold lampstand having seven branches, each filled with the purest olive oil, which was kept burning night and day, serving as the only light in the Tabernacle. (Ex 27:20).

Jesus declared

I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 ).  (see related topic Typology - Study of Biblical types)

The believer is instructed  to

walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, (and then) we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:7).

Jesus is the Lamp in the New Jerusalem for

the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Re 21:23-note)

Are you walking in darkness, not knowing where you are going? Believers are now His "lights" for Jesus declared...

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Mt 5:14, 15, 16-notes)

AND THE TABLE AND THE SACRED BREAD THIS IS CALLED THE HOLY PLACE: kai he trapeza kai he prothesis ton arton etis legetai (3SPPI) hagia: (Exodus 40:4; Leviticus 24:5,6) (Exodus 25:23,30) (Exodus 26:33)

Table (Table of Showbread) (5132) (trapeza from tetra = four + peza = foot) is "four feet" and so is a table. Trapeza is a word seen on the front of banks in Greece today. Bankers sat at small tables and changed money (Mt 21:12).

Nelson's writes that...

The tabernacle had a table of acacia wood overlaid with gold on which the showbread was placed (Ex 25:23; Nu 3:31; Heb. 9:2). A table of gold was in the Temple (1Ki 7:48). Tables for the burnt offering were furnishings of Ezekiel’s temple (Ezek. 40:39, 40, 41, 42, 43). There was also a table before the sanctuary (Ezek 41:22; 44:16). The prophet Malachi spoke of the altar as the Lord’s table (Mal 1:7, 12). (Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

Sacred (4286) (prothesis) means a setting forth of a thing and so placing of it in view (the KJV keeps the sense of this meaning in its rendering showbread)

Nelson's writes that this was...

A type of ritualistic bread known as Showbread consisted of 12 loaves baked without leaven by the Levites and placed weekly in the tabernacle, and later in the Temple (Ex 25:30). When removed at the end of the week, the loaves were eaten by the priests. The purpose of the showbread was to symbolize God’s presence with His people.  (Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

Bread  (740)  (artos) refers to bread. (See Consecrated Bread or Bread)

The Holy Place (Dictionary Article) (40) (hagios) refers to that which is set apart, separated, sanctified referring to that which is set apart (sanctified) as having been so separated for a special purpose. Specifically this place was set apart by God for sacred use.

On the right was the Table on which was the sacred bread, Showbread. This Table, like the base of the altar, was acacia wood overlaid w gold, 3' long, one x 1/2' wide x 21/4' high.

The  Hebrew word for sacred bread meant "bread of face" or "bread of presence" because the bread was being set before God. There were 12 loaves of bread representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Every Sabbath these were eaten by the priests and fresh bread placed upon the table. This shadow also pointed to the substance fulfilled in Christ.

In the Old Testament, Moses records that loaves were replaced weekly on the Sabbath...

Then you shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes with it; two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each cake. 6 And you shall set them in two rows, six to a row, on the pure gold table before the LORD. 7 And you shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be a memorial portion for the bread, even an offering by fire to the LORD. 8 Every Sabbath day (our Saturday - and thus once each week) he shall set it in order before the LORD continually; it is an everlasting covenant for the sons of Israel. (Leviticus 24:5-8)

In the New Testament Jesus declares He is the fulfillment of the shadow in the Old Testament declaring

I am the bread of life...I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh. (John 6:48, 50) (see related topic Typology - Study of Biblical types)

By way of application, dear believer, what are you eating to satisfy your spiritual hunger? Only the "Bread of life" the "Bread of heaven", the Lord Jesus Christ, will ever satisfy your innermost hunger. Jesus the "Bread of Life" is also the Living Word, the Word of Life, and He Himself declared that "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Eat the Word of God, for nothing else will satisfy.

Emulate Jeremiah's example, for even in the midst of a stressful time (read the entire chapter for the context), he affirmed...

Thy words were found and I ate them,
And Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;
For I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
(Jeremiah 15:16)

And David's affirmation...
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
(Psalm 19:10 - Spurgeon's note)

And the Psalmist who wrote Psalm 119...
How sweet are Thy words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(Psalm 119:103 - Spurgeon's note)

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am week, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more,
Feed me till I want no more.

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TODAY IN THE WORD - This past spring a group of passengers bound for Los Angeles from the east coast sat aboard an airplane waiting for take off. After a long delay the pilot announced that there was a maintenance problem–the ground crew could not get the cargo door to seal properly. He told them that the mechanics had sent some digital pictures of the door to the airlines experts. But as good as the pictures were, the experts still couldn’t solve the problem. They needed to be there to see the real thing in order to fix it. The flight was cancelled, leaving the passengers to scramble for alternative flights.

Pictures are wonderful things, but ultimately they are not adequate substitutes for the objects they represent. Hebrews 9:1-10 makes a similar point. As great as the earthly tabernacle was, its ultimate purpose was only to represent or point toward something far greater.

We ought to spend more time studying the details of the plan of the tabernacle, for we can see from the author of Hebrews that they contain many lessons for us today (Hebrews 9:5). The one lesson that Hebrews spends the time to teach us concerns the annual entry of the high priest into the Most Holy Place (cf. Leviticus 16:1-34). We learn from the rituals of the high priest and from the veils that kept the Most Holy Place out of sight from all but the high priest that the presence of God was closed to sinful people (Hebrews 9:8). This separation continues between God and humanity because the sacrifices aren’t able to cleanse the consciences of the worshipers. That is, they only dealt with the problem of sin at an external level (Hebrews 9:9, 10).

TODAY ALONG THE WAY - Our understanding of the book of Hebrews, along with much of the rest of the New Testament, would be greatly enhanced by studying the Old Testament sacrificial system. (Copyright Moody Bible Institute. Used by permission. All rights reserved)

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F B Meyer
Hebrews 9:2
The Way into the Holiest

THE eye is quicker than the ear. And there is therefore no language so expressive as the language of symbols. The multitude will better catch your meaning by one apt symbol than by a thousand words. The mind shrinks from the intellectual effort of grappling with the subtle essences of things, and loves to have truth wrapped up in a form which can easily be taken in by the eye, the ear, the sense of touch.

This explains why there is such a tendency toward ritualism in the Romanish and Anglican Churches. Where man's spiritual life is strong, it is independent of the outward form; but when it is weak it leans feebly on external aids. And it was because the children of Israel were in so childish a condition that God enshrined his deep and holy thoughts in outward forms and material shadows. The untutored people must have spiritual truth expressed in symbols, which appealed to the most obtuse. For fifteen hundred years, therefore, the Jewish worship gathered round the most splendid ceremonial that the world has ever seen

ceremonial which these Hebrew Christians sadly missed when they passed into the simple ordinances of some bare upper room.

Let us for a moment study those ancient symbols.

Choose an expanse of sand; mark out an oblong space forty-five feet long by fifteen feet broad. Lay all along upon your outlines a continuous belt of silver sockets, hollowed out so as to hold the ends of the planks that form the walls of the Tabernacle. Now fetch those boards themselves, beams of acacia wood fifteen feet high, covered with the choicest gold, and fastened together by three long bars of gold, running from end to end. The entrance doorway must face the east, composed of five golden pillars, over which fall the folds of a rich and heavy curtain. Then measure thirty feet from this, and let another curtain separate the holy from the most holy place. Now fetch more curtains to make the ceiling, and to hang down on either side over the gilded acacia beams that form the outer walls; first, a gorgeous curtain wrought with brilliant hues, and covered with the forms of cherubim; next, a veil of pure white linen; third, a strong curtain of rams' skins, dyed red; and, lastly, to defend it from the weather, a common and coarse covering of badgers' skins. The court is constituted by heavy curtains that hang around and veil the movements of the priests within.

Let us cast a brief glance at each item as we briefly pass from the outer to the inner shrine.

THE BRAZEN ALTAR, with its projecting horns, to which animals designated for sacrifice were tied (Psalm 118:27), or on which the fugitive laid hold for sanctuary and shelter (Ex 21:14), stood in the outer court. There were offered the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering. It was deemed most holy (Ex 31:37) And well it might be; for it was the symbol of the cross of Calvary, that wondrous cross where Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for sin; himself both priest and victim and altar too.

None could enter the holy place, save by passing this sacred emblem, any more than we could ever have entered into fellowship with God, unless there had been wrought for us upon the cross that one all-sufficient sacrifice and oblation for sins, which purges our heart from an evil conscience. The longer we live, and the more we know of God, the more precious and indispensable does that cross appear: our hope in sorrow, our beacon in the dark, our shelter in the storm, our refuge in hours of conviction, our trysting-place with God, our pride and joy.

Blest cross! blest sepulcher! blest rather be
The Man that there was put to death for me.

And if the brazen altar speaks of the one sacrifice, once for all, of Calvary, the laver speaks of the daily washing of the stains of our wilderness journeyings, as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples (John 13).

THE SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLESTICK

THE SEVEN-BRANCHED CANDLESTICK, from which the light was shed which lit up the holy place, would first arrest the eye of the priest, who might cross the threshold for the first time. Its form is familiar to us from the bas-relief upon the Arch of Titus. How eloquently does it speak of Christ! The texture of beaten gold, on every part of which the hammer strokes had fallen, tells of his bruisings for us (Ex 25:36). The union of the six lesser lamps, with the one tall Center one, betokens the mystery of that union in light-giving which makes the Church one with her Lord forevermore in illuminating a dark world. The golden oil, stealing through the golden pipes that needed to be kept clean and unchoked, shows our dependence on him for supplies of the daily grace of the Holy Spirit (Zech 4:2). And the very snuffers, all of gold, used wisely by the high-priest to trim the flame, are significant of those processes by which our dear Lord is often obliged to cut away the unevenness of the wick, and to cause us a momentary dimming of light that we may afterward burn more clearly and steadily. His life is the light of men. In his light we see light. He sheds light on hearts and homes and mysteries and space; and hereafter the Lamb shall be the light of heaven.

THE GOLDEN SHEWBREAD TABLE

THE GOLDEN SHEWBREAD TABLE must not be over looked, with its array of twelve loaves of fine flour, sprinkled with sweet smelling frankincense, and eaten only by the priests, when replaced on the seventh day by a fresh supply. Here again, as in the last symbol, is that mysterious blending of Christ and his people. Christ is the true bread of presence. He is the bread of God. Jehovah finds in his obedience and life and death perfect satisfaction; and we too feed on him. His flesh is meat indeed. We eat his flesh and live by him. The table was portable, so as to be carried in the journeyings of the people; and we can never thrive without taking him with us wherever we go. This is the heavenly manna; our daily bread; our priestly perquisite. But the people also were represented in those twelve loaves, as they were in the twelve stones of the breastplate. And doubtless there is a sense in which all believers still stand ever before God in the purity and sweetness of Christ; "for we, being many, are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread." Oh, is it possible for me to give aught of satisfaction to God? To believe this would surely instill a new meaning into the most trivial acts of life. Yet this may be so.

THE CENSER, OR ALTAR OF INCENSE

THE CENSER, OR ALTAR OF INCENSE, is classed with the most holy place; not because it stood inside the veil, but because it was so closely associated with the worship rendered there. It was as near as possible to the ark (Ex 30:6). It reminds us of the golden altar which was before the throne (Re 8:3). No blood ever dimmed the luster of the gold; the ashes that glowed there were brought from the altar of burnt offering; and on them were sprinkled the incense, which had been compounded by very special art (Ex 30:34, 35, 36, 37, 38). That precious incense, which it was death to imitate, speaks of his much merit, in virtue of which our prayers and praises find acceptance. Is not this his perpetual work for us, standing in heaven as our great High Priest? ever living to make intercession, catching our poor prayers, and presenting them to his Father, fragrant with the savor of his own grace and loveliness and merit?

THE VEIL

THE VEIL, passed only once a year by the high-priest, carrying blood, reminded the worshipers that the way into the holiest was not yet perfect. There were degrees of fellowship with God to which those rites could give no introduction. "The way into the holiest was not yet made manifest." "The veil, that is to say, his flesh" (Heb. 10:20). Oh, fine twined linen, in thy purity, thou wert never so pure as that body which was conceived without sin! Oh, exquisite work of curious imagery, thou canst not vie with the marvelous mysteries that gather in that human form! Yet, till Jesus died, there was a barrier, an obstacle, a veil. It was bespattered with blood, but it was a veil still. But at the hour when he breathed out his soul in death, the veil was rent by mighty unseen hands from top to bottom, disclosing all the sacred mysteries beyond to the unaccustomed eyes of any priests who at that moment may have been burning incense at the hour of prayer, while the whole multitude stood without (Lk 1:9). It is a rent veil now, and the way into the holiest lies open. It is new and living and blood-marked; we may therefore tread it without fear or mistake, and pass in with holy boldness to stand where angels veil their faces with their wings in ceaseless adoration (He 10:19, 20).

THE ARK

THE ARK. A box, oblong in shape, 4 ft. 6 in. in length, by 2 ft. 8 in. in breadth and height; made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold; its lid, a golden slab, called the mercy-seat, on which cherubic forms stood or knelt, with eyes fixed on the blood stained golden slab between them; for it was on the mercy-seat that the blood was copiously sprinkled year by year, and there the Shekinah light ever shone. In the wilderness wanderings the ark contained the tables of stone, not broken but whole, the manna, and the rod. But when it came to rest, and the staves were drawn out, the manna, food for pilgrims, and the rod, which symbolized the power of life, were gone; only the law remained.

THE LAW