Bible Diary - Hebrews 9:1-10
September 7, 2008
In today’s largely atheistic culture, it’s hard to appreciate what a big deal sanctuary worship was for those people of long ago living under the first covenant. Unlike so many of us, they had a strong sense of their need of forgiveness. Their elaborate and tradition-based sanctuary with their priest’s elaborate rituals had but one purpose: to remove the guilt of sin. It never quite worked.
The Arrangement and Ritual of the Earthly Sanctuary
9:1 Now the first covenant, in fact, had regulations for worship and its earthly sanctuary. 9:2 For a tent was prepared, the outer one, which contained the lampstand, the table, and the presentation of the loaves; this is called the holy place. 9:3 And after the second curtain there was a tent called the holy of holies. 9:4 It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered entirely with gold. In this ark were the golden urn containing the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 9:5 And above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Now is not the time to speak of these things in detail. 9:6 So with these things prepared like this, the priests enter continually into the outer tent as they perform their duties. 9:7 But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 9:8 The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing. 9:9 This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. 9:10 They served only for matters of food and drink and various washings; they are external regulations imposed until the new order came.
Today most would deny the guilt of sin. And yet, in those rare moments when we are alone with ourselves and not distracted by the busy-ness of our frantic lives, the idea that we are somehow missing the mark steals in on our consciousness. It makes us uneasy, so we quickly yield back to our busy lives.
The sanctuary with its annual ritual of atonement for sin did not solve the problem of man’s guilt and sin. External regulations are not enough. In the fullness of time, God established a new priesthood to bridge the infinite gap between God and man. Stay tuned.
Dave, too often distracted.
-sdg-
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America is largely atheistic or deistic, one or the other. You’re right on about busy distractions deafening the noise of disharmonizing guilt. I wish i could think of a good example of this, but it’s everywhere. I’m tuned for an answer to this guilt conumdrum.
One of our greatest needs is to “stay tuned” and get past the static of our lives. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Kyle.