Meats, Drinks, Washings and Carnal Ordinances Hebrews 9:10

The writer of Hebrews referred to the tabernacle as “a figure for the time then present” where “both gifts and sacrifices” which were offered by the “priests”, but those offerings did not make the “priests” “perfect” . In chapter nine and verse ten of Hebrews the writer shared about the “meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances” used in the “tabernacle” where we read:

Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances,

imposed on them until the time of reformation.

The verse begins, “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings,...”. The writer began with the words, “Which stood only” which means “that stood alone and only” “in meats” or “that which is eaten or food and victuals” “and drinks” which means “beverages” “and divers” or “different, varying, excellent and surpassing” “washings” which mean “baptisms and purifications effected by means of water”. “Meats, drinks and divers washings” were used by the “priests” within the “tabernacle” of God.

The verse continues, “...and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.”. The writer added the words, “and carnal” or “fleshly” “ordinances” which means “righteousness, judgment and justification that has been deemed right so as to have force of law”, “imposed” or “laid, rested or placed upon with the pressure of a violent tempest” “on them” which refers to “the priests” “until the time” or “up unto a certain season, opportunity, measure and larger or smaller portion of time” “of reformation” or “to straighten thoroughly or rectification”. Until the time when Jesus “changed” or “rectified” the way of “temple” worship, the “priests” followed the laws given to them by Moses who received them from God.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see the temporary nature of the use of “meats, drinks, divers washings and carnal ordinances” carried out by the priests. All of these were in place until the “time” for “rectification” or purification came in. Jesus Christ brought about this change when He entered into the heavenly “Holy of Holies” and made Himself the “sacrifice” and “offering for our sins. These items and ways served to show an image of the true worship of God which would be followed through by Jesus, and we now have access to God through Him when we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Next time the writer shares about “Christ being come an high priest of good things”, 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.