1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer 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; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Commentary
Vs. 1 "Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary."
Having announced that the Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest of the New Covenant (8:3) and that Old Covenant is now obsolete and growing old and is ready to vanish away (8:16). The Word of God now returns to describing some of the aspects of the Old Covenants service, so that the contrast between the temporary earthly service that once existed, and the eternal service and sacrifice of Christ that now is will be even more apparent when He returns to discussing it and it's implications for us all. And so here a brief overview of the first covenants Divine service in the earthly sanctuary is given us.
Vs. 2 "For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;"
The tabernacle is what God commanded Moses to build in the wilderness (Ex. 26:1-37), (while the later Temple was given by the Word of God through David and was built by his son Solomon). Now the tabernacle's service was unique in that the tribes of Israel during their wilderness sojourn encamped around it in a specific order (Num. 1:51-54, 2:1-34), something that will be revisited with the Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 40-48:35). While the lampstand (see Ex. 21:35-40; Lev 24:2-4; Num. 8:1-4; also Ex. 40:17-33), the table which the showbread was placed upon (see Ex. 25:23-30; Lev 24:5-9), the sanctuary, (Ex. 25:8-9) and their arrangement was all done in a very specific way by the high priest; but the outsider who came near was to be put to death (Ex. 40:1-38; Num. 3:10, 38).
Vs. 3 "and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All"
The second veil, the place called the "Holiest of All" was where the Ark of Covenant resided, where the high priest once year went into to meet with God on the mercy seat of it on behalf of all the people (Ex 25:17-22; Num. 7:89), the holy ritual of which is described in (Lev. 16:1-34).
Vs. 4-5 4 which had the golden censer 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; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
The golden censer was that which the high priest carried the burning incense from the altar of incense on into the Holiest of All (Ex. 30:1-10; also consider Rev 8:3), where the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid in pure gold (Ex. 25:1-22). Also in the Holiest of All there was the golden pot that held some of the manna which God fed the Israelite's with during their wilderness sojourn as a testimony to them (Ex. 16:32-24). Along with that there was Aaron's Rod that budded (Num. 17:1-13), and there was the tablets of Covenant (the Ten Commandments) that were placed inside the Ark where the golden cherubim overshadowed the mercy seat which was placed on top of the Ark of Covenant where the high priest met with God once a year on behalf of the people (Ex. 25:17-22). All highly significant and important and symbolic things which the Word of God does not want us to now go into great detail on, and thus miss what they were all pointing us too. And so in the next section the Word of God will continue on with His exhortation to show us the Superiority of Christ's sacrifice and Service.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Vs. 4-5 4 which had the golden censer 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; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
The golden censer was that which the high priest carried the burning incense from the altar of incense on into the Holiest of All (Ex. 30:1-10; also consider Rev 8:3), where the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid in pure gold (Ex. 25:1-22). Also in the Holiest of All there was the golden pot that held some of the manna which God fed the Israelite's with during their wilderness sojourn as a testimony to them (Ex. 16:32-24). Along with that there was Aaron's Rod that budded (Num. 17:1-13), and there was the tablets of Covenant (the Ten Commandments) that were placed inside the Ark where the golden cherubim overshadowed the mercy seat which was placed on top of the Ark of Covenant where the high priest met with God once a year on behalf of the people (Ex. 25:17-22). All highly significant and important and symbolic things which the Word of God does not want us to now go into great detail on, and thus miss what they were all pointing us too. And so in the next section the Word of God will continue on with His exhortation to show us the Superiority of Christ's sacrifice and Service.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
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