AM Nov 6th Heb 9

November 6^th     Hebrews 9         Superior Covenant

1: Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2: For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3: And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4: Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5: And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6: Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7: But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10: Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

In the old covenant there were laws for the service of God, there was an earthly temple, previously there had been an earthly tabernacle. In it there had been the Menorah, the table, the showbread. After the second veil in the most holy place there was the golden censer and the Ark of the Covenant. In the ark were the pot containing the manna and Aaron’s rod which budded and the tablets of stone (on which were written the Commandments of the LORD). Over the ark was the covering which included the Cherubim’s of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. We cannot speak definitively of this anymore. The priests ministered in the holy place but the most holy place was only entered once every year and by only the high priest and he entered by the offering of blood for himself and for the people. The Holy Spirit was teaching us here that the way into the most holy place was available to us while the first tabernacle was still standing. This is a type which applies to then in that day, he says. It was a picture of their present situation spiritually. They could offer gifts and sacrifices but it did not make him that did the service saved. He had no assurance of the total forgiveness of sins. The reoccurring of the sacrifices made him realise that his conscience was not completely clear. These things stood only in food and drink, ceremonial cleanliness and laws to do with human living all these things were imposed until the time of the reformation.