MSB HEB Chapter 9

The Earthly Tabernacle

(Exodus 40:1–33, Acts 7:44–47)

vvv Now even[fn] the first [ covenant ][fn] had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was prepared. In [its] first [room] [were] the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread.[fn] This was called [the] Holy [Place]. 3 Behind the second curtain [was] a room called [the] Most Holy Place 4 containing [the] golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside [the ark] [were the] gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above [the ark] [were the] cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat.[fn] vvv [But] we cannot discuss vvv [these things] in detail now.

6 

[When] everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform [their] sacred duties. 7 But only the high priest [entered] the second [room], [and then] only once a year, [and] never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the vvv vvv sins the people had committed in ignorance.

8 

By this [arrangement] the Holy Spirit was showing [that] the way into the [Most] Holy Place[fn] {had} not yet been disclosed {as long as} the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 [It is] an illustration for the present time, because [the] gifts and sacrifices being offered vvv were unable to cleanse [the] conscience of the worshiper. 10 [ They consist ] only in food and drink and special washings and[fn] external regulations imposed until [the] time of reform.

11 

Redemption through His Blood

But [when] Christ came as high priest of the good things to come,[fn] [He went through] the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands [and is] not [a part] of this creation. 12 [He did not enter] by [the] blood of goats and calves, but He entered the [Most] Holy Place once for all by [His] own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

13 

For if the blood of bulls and goats[fn] and [the] ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify [them] so that [their] bodies are clean, 14 how much more {will} the blood of Christ, who through [the] eternal Spirit[fn] offered Himself unblemished to God, purify your[fn] consciences from works of death, so that we may serve [the] living God!

15 

Therefore [Christ] is [the] mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem [them] from the transgressions [committed] under the first covenant.

16 

In the case of [a] will,[fn] [it is] necessary to establish [the] death of the [one who] made [it], 17 because a will [does not] take effect until the [one who] made [it] has died; vvv it cannot be executed while he is still alive.

18 

That is why {even} the first [covenant] vvv was not put into effect without blood. 19 For [when] Moses had proclaimed every commandment of [the] law to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats,[fn] along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, [and] sprinkled the scroll and all the people, 20 saying,“This [is] the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you [to keep].”[fn]

21 

In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. 22 According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

23 

So [it was] necessary [for] the copies vvv vvv [of] the heavenly things to be purified with these [sacrifices], but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but [He entered] heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.

25 

Nor [did He enter heaven] to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the [Most] Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, [Christ] would have had to suffer repeatedly since [the] foundation of [the] world. But now He has appeared once [for all] at [the] end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

27 

Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that [to face] judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once to bear [the] sins of many; [and] He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, [but] to [bring] salvation to those who eagerly await Him.