Week 50 Hebrews 9
If someone asked: “where can I find a synopsis of the last sixteen chapters of Exodus?” then Hebrews 9 would be a good answer:
That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship:
There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place.
Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides.
Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement.
When Moses had completed that big project it was the ultimate & most radical & most solidly-conclusive material way that the Lord could demonstrate: I’m here with you.
So that’s what makes Hebrews’ next comment a surprise:
that old system deals only with food and drink and various ceremonies — physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.
It was pretty elaborate & comprehensive & adequate then. Now? “Not so much” says the writer of Hebrews.
Note: quotes from Hebrews 9:1-5 10 (slightly paraphrased and reformatted) (NLT)