An Earthly Sanctuary

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

An Earthly Sanctuary

Date: Jul. 13, 2022

Passage

Hebrews 9:1-10 (ESV)

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 9:9

(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,

To explain Jesus’ superiority to the traditional priesthood, the author shifts his attention from the covenant (Heb 8) to the sanctuary. The sanctuary was where the priest carried out his ministry and where God dwelled among the Israelites. The sanctuary was set up in two rooms. The outer room, the Holy Place, was reserved for the priests (6). They entered the Holy Place to give sacrifices and offerings on behalf of their people. The inner room, the Most Holy Place, was reserved only for the high priest who could enter once a year after a purification process (7).

The Israelites were privileged to have God's presence among them. But their limited access also signified the seriousness of their sin. The food and drink gift and sacrifice paid for sins temporarily, but they did not clear sin away completely (10). The high priest could not enter the inner room without first cleansing known and unknown sins every year. Although the annual ritual did not solve sin, it alludes to a better way to enter God’s presence. Only Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross completed the whole process of cleansing sins so we can stand before God. Jesus cleanses not only our body, but also our soul through his holy blood.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for the privilege we enjoy as we pray and worship you. Please help me to repent my sins before you each day as I remember that you are holy.

One Word: One Word: Jesus is the completion of the covenant

A Bible Teacher to the Samaritans

2 Kings 17:24-41

Key Verse: 17:28

So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the LORD.

Today's Question

What is the reason for the third commandment?

See answer and references