The Purifying of the Flesh Hebrews 9:13

The writer of Hebrews shared how Jesus “entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” and in chapter nine and verse thirteen of Hebrews the writer shares how each of the contents within the tabernacle was used in “the purifying of the flesh” where we read:

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh:

The verse begins, “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean,...”. The writer began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, because, no doubt, seeing then and therefore” “if the blood” or “whether the bloodshed” “of bulls” which refers to “a steer or ox” “and of goats” which means “and of male goats”, “and the ashes” or “burnt remains” “of an heifer” which refers to “the young red cow with whose ashes, by the Mosaic law, those were to be sprinkled by those who had become defiled” “sprinkling” which means “to cleanse and purify by asperse” “the unclean” or “defiled, called common and polluted”. The writer referred to the “blood” and “ashes” of animal being used to “cleanse and purify” “defiled and polluted” people.

The verse goes on to say, “...sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh:”. The writer continued with the word, “sanctifies” or “renders or acknowledges to be venerable or hallowed, made separate from profane things and dedicated to God” “to the purifying” or “to ceremonial cleanness” “of the flesh” or “of the carnal mind and natural generation”. The “blood” and “ashes” of animals were used to “make ceremonially clean” sinful people by priests who interceded on behalf of people.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see how the instituted process of worship by God was meant to “cleanse” “unclean” people from their sins. “Blood” and “ashes” of animals were used by the priests in obedience to God's command, and when Jesus went before God as the ultimate “sacrifice” for our sins, He “sanctified” and “purified” all who believe in Him. The importance of the “blood” and “ashes” of the old covenant was that it pointed to the “new covenant” which was carried out and fulfilled by Jesus. May all who read these words understand and believe.

Next time the writer asks “how much more shall the blood of Christ” “purge your conscience from dead works”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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