The Epistle to the Hebrews Lesson 13 The Symbolic Sanctuary Hebrews 9:1-10

Divine Worship in an Earthly Sanctuary The first covenant had rules for worship (9:1) Definite “ordinances of divine service” were determined by God Himself (8:5) The sanctuary was earthly – a symbolic copy of the heavenly tabernacle (8:2; 9:11) The tabernacle had to be “prepared” or “made” (9:2, 6) Defined by Thayer: “furnish, equip, prepare, make ready” 1a) of one who makes anything ready for a person or thing 1b) of builders, to construct, erect, with the included idea of adorning and equipping with all things necessary

The Furnishings of the Tabernacle In the first part of the tabernacle, called the “sanctuary” or “holy place,” were the candlestick and table of showbread. (9:2) The “Holy of holies” or “holiest of all” was after the second veil. In it were the “golden censer” and the “ark of the covenant” (9:3-4) The ark contained a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant Above it were cherubim overshadowing the mercy-seat which rested on top of the ark (9:5)

Furnishings of the “Sanctuary” or “Holy Place”

Furnishings of the “Holiest of All” or the “Holy of Holies” God’s presence was above the mercy seat (Numbers 7:89; Exodus 30:6; 1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2; Psalm 80:1; 99:1). By the time of Solomon, the ark contained only the tablets of stone (1 Kings 8:9) Note that the altar of incense was just outside the Holiest place, but a golden censer filled with coals was taken inside the veil (Leviticus 16:12)

High Priest at the Altar of Incense with the Golden Censer

The Tabernacle is “Symbolic for the Present Time” (9:9) One view of the symbolism… “Although Christ be but one, yet he is understood by us under a variety of forms. He is the Tabernacle, on account of the human body in which he dwelt. He is the Table, because he is our Bread of life. He is the Ark which has the law of God enclosed within, because he is the Word of the Father. He is the Candlestick, because he is our spiritual light. He is the Altar of incense, because he is the sweet-smelling odour of sanctification. He is the Altar of burnt-offering, because he is the victim, by death on the cross, for the sins of the whole world.” -- Cyril

The Service of the Tabernacle The priests went continually into the first part of the tabernacle (9:6) But the Holy of Holies was only entered once per year by the High Priest. (9:7) He entered with blood which he offered for his sins and the sins of the people (Lev. 16:11-17) The way into the true presence of God was not made known in the first tabernacle (9:8) This way would be opened up by Christ (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19-20) Israel would no longer need to seek the shadow of God’s presence above the ark (Jer. 3:16-17)

The End of the Tabernacle Service The service of the tabernacle could not make the conscience of the worshiper perfect (9:9) Rather than clear the conscience, the sacrifices were a constant reminder of guilt (10:2-3) The fleshly ordinances of the tabernacle were imposed “until the time of reformation” (9:10)