Chapter 9
The Earthly Tabernacle
Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Here the author of Hebrews describes the earthly tabernacle or sanctuary of worship under the first covenant. The first room also known as the Holy Place included a table and a lampstand which was symbolic of Jesus Christ the light of the world. The showbread was there which symbolized Jesus as the bread of life who came down from heaven. There was also a second room behind a veiled curtain known as the Holiest of All or Holy of Holies. Only the High Priest could enter that room and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. To do otherwise would result in death at the hand of God to the unauthorized person entering. There was a golden censer where incense was burned which represented the prayers of the people to God. The Ark of the Covenant was a rectangular wooden container which was overlaid with gold. In the Ark was a golden pot that contained manna God provided the children of Israel to eat for the forty years they wandered in the wilderness. Also in the ark were the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments written by the hand of God along with Aaron’s rod that had budded. On top of the Ark was a mercy seat with two cherubim of glory facing each other with outstretched wings. The cherubim are a class of angels. The mercy seat represented God’s mercy toward all those who believe in the blood of atonement fulfilled in Jesus on the cross who shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Notice how everything in this room was covered in gold. This speaks to the great worth and value of the holy things of God and of His Son. The author gives only a brief description here and does not want to discuss this in any further detail as the Old Testament sanctuary only pointed toward the greater temple of Christ.
The Earthly Priesthood Was Insufficient
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
The worship of God, first in the tabernacle made of fine fabric and then the building of stone in Jerusalem, was in a sense of limited value. The high priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year and had to give sacrifices not only for the people’s sin but for his own sins as well. It was only a picture of the real thing. These earthly symbols only pointed to the true heavenly tabernacle and our sinless High Priest, Jesus Christ. The rituals of eating and not eating certain foods, laws about drinks, washings, and laws regarding men and women were fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. These ordinances became unnecessary once Jesus came and offered Himself sacrificially and was resurrected.
The Tabernacle in Heaven
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Jesus Christ came down from heaven as the High Priest of good things to come with the greater and more perfect heavenly tabernacle not made by human hands but by the hands of God. Jesus, after his death, burial, and resurrection entered this heavenly tabernacle. He didn’t sprinkle the blood of animals that have no permanent forgiveness. Instead He entered the Most Holy Place with His own blood shed for us. His person as the sinless High Priest and His blood shed as the sacrificial Lamb of God for the forgiveness and pardon of our sins is permanent and never needs repeating. The shed blood of Christ has cleansed us from all our sins. Jesus is our one and only mediator and advocate between God and man. Only through Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life can one receive the promise of eternal life. The Old Covenant has passed away and the New Covenant in Christ has been confirmed and established forever.
Without the Shedding of Blood There is No Remission of Sin
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Before a will can go into effect, it requires the death of the testator or person who wants to pass on his or her earthly possessions to the heirs. While the person is alive the will has no power or force. So it was under the first testament or covenant. Moses took the blood of calves and goats, who died sacrificially, and with water sprinkled the book of the Law and individuals. He also sprinkled with the blood the tabernacle and the vessels within the tabernacle. God established a principle that cleansing was accomplished by the blood and without death and the shedding of blood there is no remission or removal of sin.
Christ Was Offered Once to Bear the Sins of Many
23 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. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—
Therefore it was fitting that the earthly sanctuary, which was just a copy of the heavenly sanctuary, be cleansed with the blood of animals. However, the heavenly tabernacle made by God Himself deserved a perfect sacrifice. Christ, that perfect sacrifice, then entered into heaven to appear before God representing us. His sacrifice would not need to be repeated every year as He is our sinless High Priest.
26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, didn’t have to repeat His sacrifice. He came on the scene to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself for the world. God has determined that all men should die once and then face the judgment before Christ. Jesus died once to bear the sins of those who believe on Him. To Christians who long for His return He will be coming back a second time to complete His plan of salvation from sin.