Hebrews 9:6-10

Lessons from the Service in the Tabernacle

Having finished this brief description of the tabernacle and its furniture, the writer began to tell about some of the things done there. There were daily ministerings in the Holy Place (Exodus 27:21; Exodus 30:7-8). The Most Holy Place was entered only on one day during the year and then only by the High Priest. He performed the duties listed in Leviticus 16:1-34. His main purpose was to offer a sacrifice for the unwitting and ignorant sins of the people and himself (Numbers 15:1-41). All these things were done by and through the direction of the Holy Spirit "indicating," in order to make plain, that the way into the Most Holy Place was not yet opened to man. Such should have caused anticipation of the new covenant which was designed by God to open the way. It was only after Christ had died, nailing the old covenant to the cross, that the way was made clear (Hebrews 9:6-8).

The sacrifices of the tabernacle were symbolic. It would seem that the tabernacle and worship system of the Jewish people is compared to the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The world had to go through this period of Jewish history in order to reach the Christian age and the way to heaven, represented by theMost Holy Place. So, the old law leads to the new and not until the old law is gone can one reach the new. Sacrifices and gifts were offered under that system, but perfection could not be obtained until the new went into effect. "The Levitical code contained many instructions with reference to clean and unclean foods. (Leviticus 11:1-47; Deuteronomy 14:3-21). There were also laws as to drink (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:2-3). There were numerous laws on washings. There were washings for the high priest (Leviticus 16:4; Leviticus 16:24), washings for the priests (Exodus 30:18-21; Leviticus 8:6), washing for the Levites (Numbers 8:6-7), washings for lepers and unclean persons (Leviticus 14:8-9; Numbers 19:1-22), and washings of garments and vessels (Leviticus 6:27-28)" (Lightfoot, p. 168). Despite all these outward washings, no one was made inwardly clean. These external laws were in effect until the "time of reformation." Jesus said there would be a new age and He would bring about a regeneration, which I believe would mark the time spoken of previously. Thus, we are forgiven of our sins when we are regenerated (Hebrews 9:9-10; Colossians 1:13-14).