יּקנרק'ד

Hebrews Chapter 9  Verses 1-5

:1 “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.”   

Several words in this chapter keys us to the significance of the Old Testament structures and ordinances as being types of greater things presented to us in the New Testament.  These words and verses are as follows:

1.  v.8  “The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:” The word, signify, means to show by signs, which teaches us that these Old Testament principles are signs of better things presented in the New Testament. 

2.  v.9 “Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;”  A figure is a representation of something greater. 

3.  v.23 “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”  Again, patterns are an outline of something greater. 

From this we gather that the Old Testament figures, signs, and patterns all point us to the greater things and lessons taught in the New Testament.  Throughout the ninth chapter we are presented a comparison to the Old Testament figures, signs, and patterns to the greater things taught in the New Testament.   

“Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.”  If there is a first covenant then there must of necessity be a second covenant which likewise in comparison has ordinances of divine service and a heavenly sanctuary.         

“For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary.”  This tabernacle was also called the holy place.  It is a figure of the New Testament church.  The candlestick according to what the Lord told us in Revelation chapter 1 is a representation of the church.  The table is a place of eating or feasting and the showbread is what is set forth for the occupants to feast upon.  Since there were six loaves by six loaves or 6X6 that is 66 books of the scriptures we are to feast upon the word of God in the New Testament church.   

“And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all…”  In the Old Testament the priests were allowed to go into the first tabernacle or holy place and worship and perform the service of God.  However, in contrast, only the High Priest was allowed to go into the Holiest of all.   

“Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant…”  Revelation 8:1-5 identifies for us the golden censer as a type or representation of the mediatory work of Jesus Christ on behalf of his elect family.  The Ark of the Covenant was a type of Jesus Christ and his covenant work.  Aaron’s rod that budded is a representation of life from the dead pointing to Christ as the one who died and rose from the dead never to die again.  The golden pot of manna shows us that Christ lived by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. And the two tables of covenant points us to the perfect work and life of Christ who kept the law to a jot and title.   

“And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.”  There were two cherubims overshadowing the mercy seat.  My take on this is that the reason Paul said we cannot now speak particularly is because the New Testament scriptures was not yet complete.  My thoughts on this is that the two cherubims are typical of the two covenants pointing to the covenant work of Jesus Christ in redeeming his people from their sins.   

The mercyseat is just that.  It is God’ mercy towards his covenant children as a result of the covenant work of Jesus Christ in redeeming them from their sins. 

Verses 6-10

:6 “Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” 

“Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.”  The things were the things in the previous 5 verses which included the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, the cherubims of glory, the table of shew bread, the candlestick, and the incense altar.  These things were appointed or ordained of God.  The priests who were the sons of the high priest were permitted only to go into the first tabernacle or holy place and there they were to accomplish the service of God which God had appointed them.  They were not permitted to go into the holiest of all. 

“But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:”  The high priest under the Old Testament pattern was the only one permitted to go into the holiest of all and that was once a year at the appointed time.  He was to make a sacrifice for himself and then a sacrifice for the errors of the people.  The purpose for making a sacrifice for himself was that he also was a sinner like unto the people.  The high priest took the blood of the sacrifices for himself and the people into the holiest of all made a blood offering unto God. 

“The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:” The things done in the tabernacle were types, shadows, and patterns of heavenly things and pointed to the better day in which Christ would come and make the perfect sacrifice for the sins of his people and offer it to God. 

“Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”  Those sacrifices and gifts offered were not intended to make the people perfect or cleanse them from their sins.  They were designed to bring sin to remembrance and to teach the people there was a need for one to come and offer a perfect sacrifice.  The time of reformation spoken of is the time that Christ came and offered the perfect sacrifice for sin unto God and it was accepted.  At the time he came he also set up the better worship and service that we have today in the New Testament church.