The
contents within the “tabernacle”
of God were dedicated by “sprinkling blood”
over them. The “tabernacle” and
“the people” were
“sprinkled” as
well, and Moses declared, “almost all things are by the
law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”
of sin. In chapter nine
and verse twenty-three of Hebrews, the writer shares how
it was important that “the patterns of things in the
heavens should be purified” where we read:
It
was therefore necessary that the patterns
of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the
heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
The
verse begins, “It
was therefore necessary that the patterns
of things in the heavens should be purified with these;. The
writer began with the words, “It was
therefore”
which means “it was accordingly, consequently and these things
being so” “necessary”
or “imposed by circumstance, law, duty, regard, custom or argument”
“that the patterns”
which refers to “for the example and imitation” “of
things”
which means “truly, certainly and indeed” “in
the heavens”
or “in the region above the sidereal heavens and the seat of order
of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other
heavenly beings ” “should be
purified”
which means “made clean, cleansed and free from stains and dirt”
“with these”
which refers to “the bloodshed of animals”. The writer shared how
the earthly examples of “sprinkling
blood” to
purify the “tabernacle”
and the “vessels”
within it are the model of how it was to be in “heaven”
as well.
The
verse continues, “but the heavenly things themselves with
better sacrifices than these.”. The
writer added the word, “but” which
is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated “the
heavenly things” which means
“the articles that exist in heaven itself where God and the angels
abide” “themselves”
or “the things in heaven” “with better”
which means “more useful, serviceable, excellent and advantageous”
“sacrifices” or
“victims of bloodshed” “than these”
which means “than the earthly animals from which the blood came”.
The “heavens” deserved
a “much greater and useful” “sacrifice” than
the “blood of bulls and goats”.
When
we consider these words in Hebrews, we understand how the “blood”
from animals wasn't sufficient for the “heavenly realm”. Although
animal “blood” was useful with the “earthly tabernacle”
and the “vessels” within it, it was not adequate for the
temple in heaven. This is why Jesus came. When Jesus died on the
cross, His blood was spilt and offered as a “gift and sacrifice”
to God. His “blood” was more excellent than the animals,
and was thereby “ample” to supply the “purifying” and
“cleansing” of our sins. Because Jesus “sacrificed”
His “holy blood” in the “heavens”, we may now enjoy salvation
for our souls, and all that is required is our “belief” and
“trust” in Him. Let us be in awe of this great and mighty God who
not only knew about the “sufficient” “blood” for
purifying us, but also paid the price to present it.
Next
time the writer shares how “Christ
is not entered into the holy places made with hands”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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