Limitation in The Earthly Sanctuary
May 17, 2020
Commentary
No book in the New Testament focuses upon Christ-like the book of Hebrews does. Only two chapters in the Bible are devoted to the creation story, whereas some fifty chapters focus on the tabernacle. This ninth chapter of Hebrews describes the Tabernacle and its sacrifices and regulations in rather close detail (vv. 1-28). A description of the Tabernacle is that it was one hundred fifty feet long and seventy-five feet wide. Its single gate, on the east side, was thirty feet wide and seven and a half feet high. Just as there was only one entrance to the Tabernacle, there is only one way to God (vv. 1-10). This chapter also presents a detailed contrast between the Old Covenant sanctuary (the tabernacle) and the New Covenant (heavenly sanctuary) where Jesus Christ now ministers (vv. 11-15). This contrast makes it clear that the New Covenant sanctuary is superior.
The ceremonies associated with the tabernacle was governed by rules that pertained to the outer man, but that could not change the inner man (vv. 1-5). The Tabernacle worship, with the bread, the incense, the offerings, the altars etc. was kind of a religious play enacted to teach the people what was going on in their inner life (vv. 6-8).
The conscience of the person making the sacrifice was never freed from the feeling of guilt because the guilt itself was never removed (v. 9). These Old Testament sacrifices were never meant to cleanse from sin, but only to symbolize such cleansing (v. 10). The cleansing was entirely external. The sacrifices pictured Christ, but they could never do the work of Christ. Only Christ’s sacrifice could provide internal cleansing and bring freedom from the guilty conscience.
Application
How would I describe the state of my conscience? How can I have a clear conscience? (I John 1:9). Cleansing my conscience cannot be done by some external ceremony; it demands an internal power.
Hebrews 9:1– 10 (NET)
1 Now the first covenant, in fact, had regulations for worship and its earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tent was prepared, the outer one, which contained the lampstand, the table, and the presentation of the loaves; this is called the Holy Place. 3 And after the second curtain there was a tent called the holy of holies. 4 It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered entirely with gold. In this ark were the golden urn containing the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 And above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Now is not the time to speak of these things in detail. 6 So with these things prepared like this, the priests enter continually into the outer tent as they perform their duties. 7 But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the Holy Place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing. 9 This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They served only for matters of food and drink and various ritual washings; they are external regulations imposed until the new order came.