The Tabernacle, A Shadow Of Jesus Christ Hebrews 9:1-15 Message by Michael J. Barnard April 23, 2017 Teaching Aim: To examine the earthly tabernacle and see how each object relates to the work of Jesus Christ and to our salvation today. To understand the earthly tabernacle was only a type (or foreshadow) of the more perfect tabernacle in heaven; it was an object lesson for the Jewish people and for us today. To realize Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant, by grace through faith in Him we have access into the heavenly Holy of Holies anytime day or night! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: The significance of the furniture in the earthly tabernacle (Heb. 9:1-5) 1. Chapter by chapter, the writer of Hebrews has been demonstrating the superiority of Jesus Christ. So far, the writer has shown us that Jesus is superior to (or better than) the prophets, the angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood. We ve also seen how the New Covenant is better than the Old. What topic appears next in chapter 9 as the writer continues his theme? 2. What was the earthly sanctuary called in the days of Moses (vv. 1-2)? What was this sanctuary called from the time of Solomon until A.D. 70? (See 2 Chron. 7:1-3) How were the two structures different? (See Exod. 26:1-7; 1 Chron. 22:1-5) 3. What two major rooms did we find in the earthly tabernacle (vs. 2)? (See Exod. 26:33-34) Which of these two rooms routinely had priests ministering in it? (See Luke 1:3-11) Which room could only be entered once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and that only by the high priest with blood? (See Lev. 16) 4. According to verse 2, what three objects are in the Holy Place? Exodus 40:26-27 reveals a fourth object, what was it? What did this object symbolize? 1. 3. 2. 4. 1
5. What is the significance of the seven-pronged golden lampstand? How did this object relate to the ministry of Jesus Christ? (See Exod. 40:24; Matt. 26:36-46; John 8:12) 6. What is the significance of the table of showbread and the twelve pieces of bread that were placed on it? Is there any significance to the priests eating the bread on the Sabbath when it was exchanged for fresh bread? How does the showbread relate to the ministry of Jesus Christ? (See Lev. 24:5-9; John 6:35) 7. What, if any, symbolism is there in the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place? What alternate name for the Most Holy Place is revealed in verse 3? Why were all the objects inside the tabernacle covered in gold? What, if any, significance was there to the altar of burnt offering and the laver outside of the tabernacle being covered in bronze? 8. According to verses 3 & 4, what objects were found in the part of the tabernacle known as the Holiest of All? What was the significance of the golden Ark of the Covenant? (Hint: Google it!) (See Rev. 11:19) In the days of Moses, what three objects were kept inside this golden box? What message did the golden pot of manna send to the Israelites? (See Exod. 16:32-36) How about Aaron s rod that had budded? (See Num. 17:1-10) What is the more widely known name for the tablets of the covenant? Why was it important for the Law to be covered by the Mercy Seat and sprinkled with the blood of a substitute (vs. 5)? (See Exod. 20; Rom. 3:19-20; Heb. 9:22) Part II: The limitations of the earthly tabernacle (Heb. 9:6-10) 1. What part of the tabernacle did the priests venture into on a daily basis (vs. 6)? How often was the second part of the tabernacle visited (vs. 7)? Were the sins of the people ever completely paid for under the Old Covenant? Then how were the Old Testament saints saved? 2
2. How was the high priest to approach the Holy of Holies (vs. 7)? What is the only way we can approach the heavenly Holy of Holies today? (See 1 Pet. 1:17-21) 3. According to verse 8, what message did the veil convey to the Jewish people? What does verse 8 teach us about the temporary nature of the Old Covenant tabernacle? 4. The Greek word for symbolic in verse 9 is parabole. A parable is an earthly story with a spiritual meaning. With that in mind, what can we learn about Old Covenant Judaism from verses 9 & 10? What is the time of reformation referred to in verse 10? (See Commentaries) 5. In Christ, everything is new. 1) We are a new creation in Jesus Christ; 2) We live under a new covenant; 3) We have a new priesthood with a new High Priest in the order of Melchizedek; 4) We worship at a new Sanctuary, the heavenly Holy of Holies; and 5) A new kind of sacrifice has brought salvation and forgiveness to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ. How should 2 Cor. 5:17 relate to the way we live our lives today as Christians? Part III: Christ as High Priest in the more perfect tabernacle, heaven (Heb. 9:11-15) 1. According to verse 11, what office does Jesus currently occupy in heaven? What can we learn about the heavenly tabernacle from verse 11? Many Hebrew Christians were considering deserting Christ and returning to Judaism. Considering verses 11 & 12, why would this be a foolish move? (See John 6:66-70) 2. Not only is Jesus our great High Priest, He is the Sacrifice for our sins (vs. 12)? It is only with the blood of Christ that we can enter the Heavenly Holy of Holies today. How are the Old Covenant sacrifices and Christ s sacrifice different? 3
3. The blood of bulls and goats only provided a temporary covering of sin, but no permanent solution. Why was the red heifer important to the Jews ceremonially and what were its ashes used for (vs. 13)? (See Num. 19:14-19) 4. What was the writer of Hebrews referring to when he said, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God (vs. 14)? What dead works? Do outward religious rituals change the human heart to godliness? (See Jer. 17:9) What act does change the human heart? (See Ezek. 36:25-27; John 3:3,5) What are some ways that coming to Christ has changed your life? 5. Sacrifices under the Old Covenant were done by the Levitical priesthood (vs. 13). What can we learn about the sacrifice of Christ from verse 14? How does Eph. 2:8-10 relate verse 14? 6. Through the eternal Spirit Christ, offered Himself without spot to God (vs. 14). According to verse 15, what happened as a result? What does the word mediator mean? (See Dictionary) What can we learn by combining verse 15 with 1 Tim. 2:5? 7. What must come first before an inheritance can be received (vs. 15)? What can we learn about our inheritance as Christians from this verse? Have you received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? If not, why not go to the Lord in prayer and do so right now? MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! The Hebrew word for tabernacle simply means tent ; it was a large tent 45 feet long, by 15 feet wide, and 15 feet high. The tabernacle had two main parts, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place ; only one man on earth, the Jewish High Priest, could enter the Holy of Holies once a year to make atonement for sin! The seven pronged Lampstand (or Menorah) symbolized Christ, the Light of the World! (John 8:12) The Table of Showbread symbolized Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life! (John 6:35) The Veil symbolized the barrier between God and man; this veil was torn from top to bottom at the death of Christ signifying that Jesus had opened the way into the Holy of Holies! (Matt. 27:51) The Altar of Incense symbolized the prayers of the saints (meaning believers)! The Ark of the Covenant contained the golden pot of manna (symbolizing God s provision); Aaron s staff that budded (symbolizing God s appointment of priests); and the tablets of the covenant! The Mercy Seat is the place God met man on earth. It was sprinkled with blood on the Day of Atonement and symbolized the mercy people can find by grace through faith in the blood of Christ! 4
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