Chapter 9:1-29

The Epistle To The Hebrews: A Study Guide

By Pastor James P. Vold

Hebrews 9:1-29

9 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4which had the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.6Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—10concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. 11But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood he entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22And according to the law almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 23Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with the blood of another— 26He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27And as it is appointed to men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Heb. 9:1-28 NKJ)

In previous studies we noted Christ’s superiority to Aaron and the contrast developed in: A. A Summary Identification B. The Preparation For the Priesthood C. Problems With People D. Promises To The People E. The Contrast Between The Order Of Aaron And The Order Of Melchizedek F. Christ Is Superior To Aaron In Place And Basis Of Priesthood.

G: Christ’s Priesthood Is Superior In Operation And In Provision

1. Summary Of the Old Testament Priesthood (Vs 1-10 )

In verses 1-5, the Spirit of God describes the tabernacle and its furniture on the Day of Atonement. Verses 6-7 sum up the ministries of the priest and the high priests. From this summary the Holy Spirit shows us that the tabernacle worship reveals a limited access to God and a service that lasted only for a time. It could not give the worshipers a cleansed conscience because it only dealt with material things that gave a picture of the great salvation to come.

2. Summary Of Christ’s Operation As A Priest (Vs 11-22 )

In contrast to the old system, Christ serves in a heavenly, not an earthly sanctuary. He does not serve on the basis of the blood of sacrificed animals, but on the basis of His own shed blood. The animal sacrifices brought cleansing to the Israelites so they could worship in the tabernacle. Christ’s sacrifice cleanses the conscience, enabling man to serve the Living God out of love instead of trying to gain salvation by works.

Christ’s supreme sacrifice established a new covenant of which he is the mediator (vs 15). In verses 16-22, the two covenants are contrasted. Death is a basis for both. Wills (or covenants) do not become effective until the testator (the person who made and left the will) dies (vs 16,17). The Mosaic covenant was enforced by the sprinkling of blood (vs 18-21). Note that the blood was sprinkled on the book, the people and the tabernacle vessels. The three-fold sprinkling suggests:

The approval or confirmation of the covenant
The dedication of the people
The reconciliation to God as represented by the tabernacle vessels

That which Moses did in the sprinkling of the animal blood was achieved by the Lord Jesus by the blood of the new covenant. His death:

Reconciled sinful man to a just God
Set apart the people of God
Placed into operation the new covenant

3. The Propriety Of Christ’s Operation(Vs 23-28)

Since it was needful for the copies of the things in heaven to be purified with earthly sacrifices, a better sacrifice was needed to purify the real (vs 23). The fact that Christ did not enter the holy place made with hands shows that He is the better sacrifice. He has entered heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us. Christ’s present ministry is to represent us forever. He is that Advocate spoken of in 1 John 2:1-2. He stands for you and me in the Godhead!

If Christ were serving in the earthly tabernacle, He would have to make repeated sacrifices (vs 25). In that case, He would have suffered repeatedly since the world began. The single sufficient sacrifice of Christ answered the prime penalty for sin (which is eternal separation from God) and it never needs to be repeated (vs 26).

The author then suggests two principles: One is that mankind is appointed once to die. The other is that judgment follows death (vs 27). Christ suffered once to bear the sins of all and cancel their appointment with spiritual death. For those who look for Him, He shall appear the second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (vs 28 NIV).

Top of page >

Chapter 8:1-13 >

Chapter 10:1-18 >