Heb 9 | MHM | STEP | The Furniture of the Tabernacle This passage describes the special tent, or tabernacle, that God told the Israelites to build as a place of worship. It was called a worldly sanctuary because it was made from materials found on earth and was only temporary. The tabernacle was like a palace for God, the King of Israel, and had special rooms and furniture. Each part of the tabernacle teaches us something about God, about Jesus Christ, and about how people can come close to God. v. 1 : The apostle begins by explaining that the first covenant had rules for worship and an earthly sanctuary. This sanctuary was a physical place made by people, but it was a symbol of something greater (Hebrews 9:1 ).

‏ Hebrews 9

The Furniture of the Tabernacle

This passage describes the special tent, or tabernacle, that God told the Israelites to build as a place of worship. It was called a worldly sanctuary because it was made from materials found on earth and was only temporary. The tabernacle was like a palace for God, the King of Israel, and had special rooms and furniture. Each part of the tabernacle teaches us something about God, about Jesus Christ, and about how people can come close to God.

v. 1: The apostle begins by explaining that the first covenant had rules for worship and an earthly sanctuary. This sanctuary was a physical place made by people, but it was a symbol of something greater (Hebrews 9:1 ^a).

v. 2: Inside the tabernacle, there were two rooms. In the first room, called the holy place, there was a lampstand (the candlestick), a table, and the bread of the Presence. The lamps were always burning, showing that the old way had only a little light, not the full light that Jesus brings. The table held twelve loaves of bread, one for each tribe of Israel, and these were changed every Sabbath. This bread reminds us that Jesus is the true bread of life who feeds his people (Exodus 25:23–30 ^b).

v. 3: Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, or the holiest of all. This inner room was separated by a veil, which was a symbol of Christ’s body. When Jesus died, the veil was torn, showing that now everyone can come to God through him (Hebrews 9:3 ^c).

v. 4: In the Most Holy Place, there was a golden altar for burning incense and the ark of the covenant, which was covered in gold. Inside the ark were three things: a golden pot with manna (to remind people of how God fed them in the desert), Aaron’s rod that budded (to show God chose him as priest), and the stone tablets of the covenant, with the Ten Commandments on them. These all point to Jesus, who provides for us, leads us, and keeps God’s law perfectly (Hebrews 9:4 ^d).

v. 5: On top of the ark was the mercy seat, made from pure gold, with two golden cherubim (angels) above it. The mercy seat was where God’s presence appeared. It was a symbol of Jesus, whose perfect righteousness covers our sins. The angels show that God’s angels are interested in how God saves people, and they serve those who follow Jesus (Hebrews 9:5 ^e).

v. 6: The apostle now explains what happened in the tabernacle. The regular priests went into the first room every day to do their duties. Only priests could enter, teaching us that only those called by God can serve as leaders in worship. The priests had to be faithful and always ready to serve God, doing their work completely and not just halfway (Hebrews 9:6 ^f).

v. 7: But only the high priest could go into the Most Holy Place, and he could do this only once a year. He had to bring the blood of a sacrifice for his own sins and for the sins of the people. This shows us that even the high priest was not perfect and needed forgiveness. It also teaches us that Jesus, our true High Priest, entered heaven for us by offering his own blood, not for his own sins, but for ours. Now, all people can come to God through Jesus. Our sins are mistakes that bring guilt, but only Jesus’ blood can take that guilt away (Hebrews 9:7 ^g).

The Priesthood of Christ

In this section, the apostle explains how the Holy Spirit uses the Old Testament tabernacle and its rituals to teach important lessons. These old laws and ceremonies were not just for the Jews of that time, but they also help Christians today understand more about Jesus and his work as our High Priest. The Old Testament points forward to Christ, and we learn best when we connect these symbols to Jesus.

v. 8: The Holy Spirit shows that the way into the Most Holy Place was not open as long as the first tabernacle was still in use. This means that, before Jesus came, people could not come freely to God. Now, because of Christ, the way to God is clear and open (Hebrews 9:8 ^h).

v. 9: The first tabernacle was just a symbol for the time before Jesus. It was a shadowy and temporary thing, meant to teach about what Jesus would one day do. When Jesus came, he fulfilled everything these symbols pointed to, and the old shadows disappeared .

None of the gifts or sacrifices offered in the old tabernacle could make people perfect in their conscience. These offerings could not take away guilt or truly clean someone’s heart. Only Jesus can give real peace and forgiveness .

v. 10: The old rules were about food, drink, and various washings—physical things that only cleaned the outside. They were strict and required, but they were not meant to last forever. They were in place until the time of reformation, when Jesus would bring better things. Now, under the gospel, we enjoy more light, love, freedom, and holy living (Hebrews 9:10 ⁱ).

v. 11: Christ came as the High Priest of good things to come. Everything good that God promised—both in the Old Testament and now—depends on Jesus and his priesthood. He brings spiritual blessings now, and in the future, he will give even more, including eternal life in heaven (Hebrews 9:11 ^j).

Jesus serves as High Priest in a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by human hands. This is his own body, or his human nature, which is far better than any building on earth (Hebrews 9:11 ^k).

v. 12: Jesus entered the Most Holy Place in heaven, not with the blood of animals, but with his own blood. He did this once for all time and gained eternal redemption for us. Unlike the old priests, who had to repeat their sacrifices every year, Jesus made one perfect sacrifice forever (Hebrews 9:12 ^l).

v. 13: The old sacrifices, like the blood of goats and bulls, could only make people outwardly clean. They helped with ceremonial purity and let people take part in worship, but they could not change the heart (Hebrews 9:13 ^m).

v. 14: The blood of Christ is much more powerful. Jesus offered himself to God through the eternal Spirit, without any sin. His sacrifice can truly cleanse our conscience from dead works, so we can serve the living God. Only Jesus’ sacrifice reaches deep into our souls and gives us the power to live for God (Hebrews 9:14 ⁿ).

The Priesthood of Christ

In these verses, the apostle talks about the gospel as a testament, or a will. This is like the last will and testament that someone makes before they die. It shows that the blessings God promises come to us because of Jesus’ death, just like an inheritance comes after the death of the one who made the will. The blood of Christ is what makes this new testament certain and powerful.

v. 15: Christ is the Mediator of the new testament. His death sets people free from the sins they committed under the first covenant. Because of Jesus, everyone who is called by God can receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. These are the gifts Jesus gives to those who belong to him (Hebrews 9:15 ^o).

v. 16: A will only takes effect after the person who made it dies. As long as that person is alive, the will can be changed. In the same way, the blessings Jesus gives through the new testament could only come after his death .

v. 17: A testament is not in force while the one who made it is still alive. It becomes valid only after death. So, Jesus had to die for his will, or testament, to be put into effect (Hebrews 9:17 ^p).

v. 18–19: The first covenant was also put into effect with blood. Moses read God’s law to the people and told them all the duties and promises. Then, he took the blood of animals, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled it on the book of the law and on the people. This act showed that the agreement was sealed with blood, pointing forward to the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 9:18–19 ^q).

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v. 20: Moses said, This is the blood of the testament which God has commanded you. The blood was a sign that the covenant was confirmed. The blood of animals in the Old Testament pointed to the true and powerful blood of Christ, which brings forgiveness and blessings to everyone who believes (Hebrews 9:20 ^r).

v. 21: Moses also sprinkled blood on the tabernacle and all its tools. This showed that all the worship and sacrifices done there were accepted by God only because of the blood. This also points to Jesus, whose blood makes our worship and service pleasing to God (Hebrews 9:21 ^s).

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The Priesthood of Christ; The Second Coming of Christ

In this final part of the chapter, the apostle explains what the Holy Spirit teaches us through the Old Testament rituals. The ceremonies and sacrifices in the tabernacle were symbols pointing to greater spiritual truths. They showed the need for something better—Christ’s sacrifice—which alone can truly purify and bring people close to God.

v. 23: The earthly sanctuary and its objects had to be purified with animal sacrifices because God commanded it. These things were just copies of the real things in heaven. The real spiritual blessings we have in Christ need a better sacrifice than the blood of animals (Hebrews 9:23 ^t).

v. 24: Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by people, which is only a copy of the true one. Instead, he entered heaven itself. Now, he appears in God’s presence for us, always representing us before God (Hebrews 9:24 ^u).

v. 25: The high priest in the Old Testament had to enter the most holy place every year with blood that was not his own. Christ, however, does not need to offer himself again and again (Hebrews 9:25 ^v).

v. 26: If Christ had to suffer many times, he would have had to die again and again since the world began. But now, at the end of the ages, he has appeared once to remove sin by sacrificing himself. His one sacrifice is enough forever (Hebrews 9:26 ^w).

v. 27: God has decided that people must die once, and after that comes judgment. Death is serious because it is the end of our time on earth, and then we face God’s judgment (Hebrews 9:27 ^x).

v. 28: In the same way, Christ was offered once to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. True believers look forward to his return with hope and trust (Hebrews 9:28 ^y).