Sacrifice in the Earthly Tabernacle (Part 1 of 3)

Time to get back to my blog.




Read Hebrews 9:1-10

Title in NIV: Sacrifice in the earthly tabernacle.

Topic: Sacrifice, Part 1

The next three weeks focus on the topic of ‘sacrifice’.

The first covenant had regulations for worship and for an earthly sanctuary also known as the temple. These items were only shadows of the good things that are coming according to Heb 10:1.

These two are in the Holy Place:

1) lamp stands-lamps use oil and oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit; lamps give light and Jesus said he was the light of the world in John 8:12.

2) table and consecrated bread- Jesus said he was the bread of life in John 6:35. The bread was made with flour, oil, frankincense and salt. Flour represents the Word of God. Oil is the anointing Holy Spirit. Frankincense is the perfume added for a sweet smell that represented prayers and intercessions going up to God in the smoke. Salt is a preservative to keep things healthy and well. The new covenant: Jesus came to purify us and heal our broken spirits. Jesus was the Word anointed by the Holy Spirit. He offered up prayers and petitions on our behalf.



These were in the Most Holy Place:

1) golden alter of incense;

2)gold-covered ark of covenant. In the ark was the a) gold jar of manna, b) Aaron’s staff that had budded, the c) second stone tablets of the covenant (remember Moses got mad and smashed the first ones; unless these are the ones God put back together; what a good question when I get to heaven).

3) Above the ark were cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover where God hovered.

The priest entered the outer room regularly to carry out their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room and only once a year and never without blood. He offered the blood for himself and for the sins people committed in ignorance. The inner room where God was could not be disclosed until the first tabernacle (Jesus) died for our sins. In other words, we could not come near God until Jesus did his work and died for our sins. Remember the curtain being ripped from top to bottom? After Jesus went behind the curtain to the Most Holy place and presented his blood once for all, we had access to God anytime, any where. We only need to call to him. The old covenant was just a matter of food and drink and external regulations until the time of the new order—after Jesus gave himself for us.

I enjoy the symbolism and how each detail in the tabernacle and each sacrifice pointed to Christ. Next week the sacrifice of Christ’s blood is discussed in detail.