Lesson 3011

Lesson (3011)(03-29-20) Hebrews 9:1-10
    “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 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; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 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: 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: 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; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”

    In today’s quote, Paul described the layout and purpose of the first tabernacle wherein the Hebrew high priests were to make their offerings before God.
    The first eight verses of the quote have little bearing on the children of God today; However, the last two verses of the quote are very, very important to us.
    Therein, Paul, speaking to the design and purpose of the tabernacle before the coming of Jesus Christ, said, “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; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” 
    This tells us that nothing that was done by the priests in the original Hebrew tabernacle did anything that made the priest, or those for whom he was making the offerings, “perfect”. There was no perfection in mankind until Jesus came.
    Paul listed the things the Jewish people were required to do in that day, as a part of offering sacrifices. So far as perfection is concerned, those thing were meaningless then, and are equally meaningless today. They were the offering of “meats and drinks”, and were submitting themselves to “divers washings”. Paul called those laws “carnal ordinances”. As we know, to be carnal is to be worldly and not of God.
    The word “washings” was a reference to Jewish ritual water baptisms.
NOTE: we will end here for today and continue this lesson tomorrow. ~