Read Hebrews 8 -- 10
In Today's Reading:
The New Covenant; the perfect sacrifice of Christ compared to temporary sacrifices under the Law; an appeal to remain faithful
The Tabernacle and worship system for Israel were revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It consisted of numerous sacrifices which could not cleanse from sins but could only "cover" them temporarily. However, every detail of this complex worship system was symbolic of the future single sacrifice of Christ on the cross. He replaced Israel's high priest, priests, and all of the sacrificial worship system. God foretold through His prophet of a future Covenant: I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31; compare Hebrews 8:6-13).
Under the Old Covenant worship system, the blood of goats and calves (9:12,19), which were innocent animals, was sacrificed daily for worshipers' sins. But Christ, Who is God become Man, shed His own blood and entered once and for all, not an earthly Holy of Holies, for Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us (9:24).
The Holy Spirit led the writer of Hebrews to point out that the Old Covenant had looked forward to a greater and more perfect Tabernacle (9:10-11). The words more perfect Tabernacle refer to the bodily manifestation of God the Son, since the Tabernacle's contents, as well as the Tabernacle itself, symbolized Christ, His life, ministry, and death, as did all of the sacrifices. Animal sacrifices are no longer acceptable because Christ being come a High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (9:11-12).
The confession of our faith is a public acknowledgment that we have renounced the world and its lusts to remain loyal to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who has done so much for us. God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Cross References:
For Hebrews 8:5: See Exodus 25:40. Hebrews 8:8-12: See Jerermiah 31:31-34. Hebrews 9:20-21: See Exodus 24:8. Hebrews 10:5-7: See Psalm 40:6-8. Hebrews 10:12-13: See Psalm 110:1. Hebrews 10:16-17: See Jeremiah 31:33-34. Hebrews 10:30: See Deuteronomy 32:35-36. Hebrews 10:37-38: See Habakkuk 2:3-4.
Word Studies:
9:2 candlestick = lampstand; 10:33 gazingstock = object of public ridicule; 10:36 patience = steadfast endurance, trust; 10:39 perdition = destruction
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Nathan Burke and the B!ible Pathway Radio Broadcasts on WCMX-AM, Lunenburg MA · Country: Georgia (6 million) west and central Transcaucasia between Asia and Europe · Major languages: Georgian and Russian · Religious opposition to Christianity · 57% Georgian/Armenian/Russian/Syrian Orthodox; 21% Muslim; .8% Catholic; .5% Protestant; .5% Jewish · Prayer Suggestion: Let your faith in the Word of God overrule all fears (Psalm 18:30).
Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 5:7