Letter to the Hebrews Volume 80

The Earthly Sanctuary Part 1

Hebrews 9:1-2 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. KJV

Having completed his discourse declaring the magnificent, majestic, and mighty reality of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ being the first Man (God and Man simultaneously) resurrected from the death of His human body on the Cross at Calvary for our sins and given the highest esteem and honor of any human being ever by now sitting at the Right Hand of Mighty Power in Heaven (God the Father), the writer of Hebrews now comes back down to earth (so to speak) and describes to us in detail the Hebrew/Jewish earthly tabernacle and its significance before the arrival of the Messiah Jesus Christ, beginning with these words, "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." (Hebrews 9:1) (KJV). In this first verse, when the writer declares, 'ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary', he means that within this actual physical structure there were regulations or authoritative rule that directed the divine services or worship of Jehovah God within the sanctuary. The little English phrase 'of divine service' is translated by the Greek word latreia which means ministration of God, that is, worship: - (divine) service. The English word 'sanctuary' is translated by the Greek word hagion which means a sacred thing (that is, spot): - holiest (of all), holy place, sanctuary. Moses documented for us what Jehovah God required of the Hebrew people with these words, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it." (Exodus 25:1-9) (KJV). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 9:1, "The object is to describe the tabernacle in which the service of God was celebrated under the former dispensation, and to show that it had a reference to what was future, and was only an imperfect representation of the reality. It was important to show this, as the Jews regarded the ordinances of the tabernacle and of the whole Levitical service as of divine appointment, and of perpetual obligation. The object of Paul is to prove that they were to give place to a more perfect system, and hence, it was necessary to discuss their real nature."

Now the writer of Hebrews begins to describe the nature of the outer tabernacle and its contents therein beginning with these words in verse 2, "For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary." (Hebrews 9:2) (KJV). The English word 'tabernacle' is translated by the Greek word skēnē meaning a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively): - habitation, tabernacle. The English word 'candlestick' is translated by the Greek word luchnia meaning a lamp stand (literally or figuratively): - candlestick. In other words, within this outer part of the tabernacle there was a lampstand or light to illuminate and there was what was referred to as shewbread sitting on a table which was used in the service and worship of Jehovah God in the outer part of the tabernacle, as it is written and documented for us by Moses with these words from the Lord, "And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway." (Exodus 25:30) (KJV). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 9:2, "In the outer part: and there were several things, of which you have here a sort of schedule. (1.) The candlestick; doubtless not an empty and unlighted one, but where the lamps were always burning. And there was need of it, for there were no windows in the sanctuary; and this was to convince the Jews of the darkness and the mysterious nature of that dispensation. Their light was only candle-light, in comparison of the fullness of light which Christ, the Sun of righteousness, would bring along with Him, and communicate to His people; for all our light is derived from Him the fountain of light. (2.) The table and the show-bread set upon it. This table was set directly opposite to the candlestick, which shows that by light from Christ we must have communion with Him and with one another. We must not come in the dark to His table, but by light from Christ must discern the Lord's body. On this table were placed twelve loaves for the twelve tribes of Israel, a loaf for a tribe, which stood from sabbath to sabbath, and on that day were renewed. This show-bread may be considered either as the provision of the palace (though the King of Israel needed it not, yet, in resemblance of the palaces of earthly kings, there must be this provision laid in weekly), or the provision made in Christ for the souls of His people, suitable to the wants and to the relief of their souls. He is the bread of life; in our Father's house there is bread enough and to spare; we may have fresh supplies from Christ, especially every Lord's day. This outer part is called the sanctuary or holy, because erected to the worship of a holy God, to represent a holy Jesus, and to entertain a holy people, for their further improvement in holiness."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…