____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ August 30, 1998 ____________________________________________________ Studies In Hebrews #9 (Part One) by Alex D. Odgen In chapter 8 the Hebrew writer began a detailed discussion of the priestly work of our High Priest, Jesus Christ. To discuss the priestly work of Jesus he develops three major ideas: tabernacle, covenant and sacrifice. The tabernacle was the place of the priests' work and the place where man had access to God, the covenant set forth the terms by which people could be acceptable to God and the sacrifices provided the means whereby people could approach God. The superiority of Christ's priesthood to that of Aaron was shown in chapter 8 by discussing the superior tabernacle and covenant involved in His priesthood. Beginning in chapter 9 the author discusses the superior sacrifice offered by our High Priest. Sacrifices Under The Levitical Priesthood The Ancient Tabernacle (9:1-5) The writer of Hebrews begins chapter 9 with a description of the ancient tabernacle and of the utensils used in it. In the first tabernacle (in these verses the writer refers to the two rooms in the tabernacle calling each of them a ``tabernacle''), which is called the Holy Place, was found the golden candlestick, or lampstand, which was used as a general source of light in the Holy Place (Ex. 25:31-40). It was placed on the south side of the Holy Place, to the left when entering. It was kept burning continually by the priest with olive oil. Also in the Holy Place was the table and showbread. The table was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. It was placed on the north side of the Holy Place, to the right when entering. Upon the table were dishes, spoons, flagons, bowls and, of course, the showbread (Ex. 25:23-30). The 12 cakes of showbread were placed on the table in 2 rows of 6 with pure frankincense put upon each row (Lev. 24:5-9). Through a second veil, the first being at the entrance of the Holy Place (Ex. 26:36), lay the second, innermost compartment of the tabernacle. Our writer refers to this room as the ``Holy of holies.'' This was the most holy place to the Jew, being the dwelling place of God itself. We are told this room had ``a golden altar of incense.'' The King James Version refers to it as a ``golden censer.'' It is unclear from the language used here whether the writer refers to the incense altar, upon which incense was to be burned both morning and evening (see Ex. 30:1-10), or the censer used by the high priest to burn incense once a year with the coals from off the incense altar (see Lev. 16:11-14). From Exodus 30 it seems clear that the incense altar itself was to be placed in the Holy Place near the entrance to the Most Holy Place. From Leviticus 16 it seems equally clear that the incense censer was stored outside the Most Holy Place and carried in with incense once in the year. It would seem to me that the author has reference to the incense altar itself since he is listing the pieces of furniture which was found in the tabernacle. By speaking of the Most Holy Place as ``having a golden altar of incense'' the writer may be saying the altar of incense had a special connection with the Holy of holies, as indeed it did (see Lev. 16 and Ex. 30). Also in the Holy of holies was ``the ark of the covenant'' (see Ex. 25:10-22). This ``ark'' was something like a chest with a lid on top. It also was made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold. It is referred to as ``the ark of the covenant'' because inside was stored the two stone tablets upon which were engraved the terms of the covenant (9:4; Ex. 25:16,21). Also inside the ark was ``a golden pot holding the manna.'' While the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, God miraculously fed them with quail and manna (Ex. 16:13-20). God commanded Moses to set some of the manna aside for a memorial of the care God gave them in the wilderness (Ex. 16:31-36). ``Aaron's rod that budded'' was also found in the ark. When God directed Moses to build the tabernacle, He also directed which tribe was to devote their lives to the service of God in the tabernacle. He told them to place twelve rods, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel, ``in the tent of meeting before the testimony.'' The next day the rod belonging to Aaron had budded, signifying God's choice for the priesthood (Lev. 17). This rod was set aside in the ark. When ``the ark of the covenant'' was placed in the Holy of holies of Solomon's temple, ``there was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb...'' (1 Kings 8:9). Above the ark was the ``cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat.'' Exodus 25:17-22 gives a thorough description of this part of the ark. The ``mercy-seat'' was a golden slab serving as the lid to the ark. In 4:16 our author referred to the ``throne of grace'' Christians can boldly go before to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need. The ``mercy-seat'' was the earthly counterpart of the ``throne of grace.'' The ``cherubim of glory'' were two gold figures which faced each other and overshadowed the mercy-seat. They also served to support the invisible presence of the God of Israel (see 1 Sam. 4:4; etc.). The writer of Hebrews tells us, ``of which things we cannot now speak severally.'' It is not the intent of our author to describe and discuss the rooms or furniture of the tabernacle at length. He wishes only to refresh their memory of these brief facts. Having done this, he now proceeds to briefly discuss the services performed in the ``first'' and ``second'' tabernacles. Priestly Service (9:6,7) With all the necessary preparations made, the priest ``go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services.'' The priest would enter both morning and evening to perform the duties of their office. They would trim the lampstands (Ex. 27:20f) and at the same time burn incense on the incense altar (Ex. 30:7f). Weekly the appointed priests entered into the Holy Place to put fresh loaves on the table of showbread (Lev. 24:8f). These were the principle services which were to be performed in the Holy Place. Any member of the priesthood could discharge these duties. Into the second tabernacle, the Holy of holies, only the high priest could enter. Even they were restricted from entering except on the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri) of each year. They actually entered the Holy of holies twice on that special day. On the first occasion he carried the blood of the bullock which had been sacrificed as a sin-offering for himself and his household. The blood was sprinkled on and before the mercy-seat. Then, when a goat had been offered as a sin-offering for the people at large, he entered a second time to offer that blood on behalf of the people, again sprinkling the blood on and before the mercy-seat. Consider three brief thoughts from these verses: (1) except for this annual occasion, the way into the throne-room of God was barred for all Israelites, even for the high priest; (2) when the high priest did have permission to enter into the Holy of holies, his entry was safeguarded only if he had sacrificial blood to offer; (3) this sacrificial blood was not really effective, because fresh blood had to be shed and a fresh entry made yearly into the Holy of holies. The Lesson: Lack Of Access (9:8-10) The Holy Spirit signifies, or makes plain, ``that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest.'' By ``holy place'' our writer refers to the true Holy of holies, or heaven. If the way into this holy place had been possible, then the high priest, and ALL Israelites, would have had free access to God. But since God dwelled among them in the Holy of holies and since only the high priests were permitted to enter therein, and that only once in the year, there was not true access to God under the priesthood of Aaron. Such lack of access to God would continue ``while the first tabernacle is yet standing.'' Up to this point in chapter 9 the writer has been using ``first tabernacle'' to refer to the outer compartment of the sanctuary. Here, however, he uses it to refer to the sanctuary of the first covenant, comprised of the Holy Place and Holy of holies together. The phrase ``while the first tabernacle is yet standing'' raises the question of whether access to God was possible at the time the book of Hebrews was written. The present tense in this phrase is historic present, indicating present at the time of the revelation which is under consideration. The revelation of the Holy Spirit to signify that the way into the holy place was not yet manifest is the record of the tabernacle arrangements and the Levitical offerings found in the Old Testament. So long as that old tabernacle, and the other structures which replaced it from time to time, was yet standing, there could not be direct access to God. As long as it was in continued use, the people would have to go before God through the high priest. We will soon see that access to God was possible when the book was written. The physical tabernacle in the wilderness was only a figure. It was a mere ``copy and shadow of the heavenly things'' (8:5), a prototype of the true sanctuary. The tabernacle of Christ's ministry is referred to as ``the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation'' (9:11). Further we read, ``For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us'' (9:24). The tabernacle of Christ is the true tabernacle, heaven. It served as a pattern for the making of the physical tabernacle in the wilderness (see 8:5; Ex. 25:9,40; 26:30). ``Gifts'' and ``sacrifices'' were offered in the physical tabernacle, but they could not, ``as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect.'' Notice the point of the writer. The sacrifices in the earthly sanctuary were not able to bring ``perfection'' to the worshiper because they did not have an effect on their conscience. The real barrier to man's free access to God is an inward and not a carnal one; it exists in his conscience. Only by attaining a pure conscience can man be set free to approach God without reservation. And the ``gifts'' and ``sacrifices'' of the earthly tabernacle were useless in accomplishing this, ``being only...carnal ordinances.'' (Studies in Hebrews #9 will be concluded next week.) ___________________________________________ TORTURE & DEATH by Greg Gwin We have all been shocked and repulsed by the senseless, brutal, racially motivated killing in Jasper, Texas. Three white men are charged with murder in the case where a black man was chained to the back of a pickup truck and dragged to his death. Gruesome and sickening details have been revealed about how the man died. We shutter to think about the pain and suffering that he must have endured. The terror of those moments leading to his death are hard to comprehend. And, we wonder how the three killers could have done such a horrible, inhumane act. The whole episode seems unreal and unbelievable, and we would like to put it out of mind. If the events in Jasper stun you (and they should) then you ought to be really moved by a contemplation of the death of Jesus Christ. Think about it for a moment and consider the horrific events and physical torture that led to His death: -- He was beaten with a scourge by Roman soldiers. This beating would have left his back a mass of torn and bleeding flesh. One expert has speculated that the bones of His shoulder blades and possibly His rib cage could have been exposed by sharp bits of glass and metal that the Romans weaved into their whips. He almost certainly was left in a state of shock. We know, historically, that some victims died from such beatings. -- A crown of sharp thorns was beaten into His scalp by the soldiers as they mocked and humiliated Him. -- At Calvary He was nailed to the cross by his hands and feet. The pain of huge nails being driven through His flesh is more that we can even imagine. -- For six hours He struggled and suffered on the cross, fighting for every breath of air. Finally He died. As a final act of brutality, a soldier pierced His side with a spear. Spend some time trying to picture in your mind the awful, bloody, torturous death that Jesus died. And them remember that it was because of your sins and mine. ___________________________________________ TURNING FORGIVENESS AROUND by Greg Gwin We hear it frequently in the news these days. It has been a common defense in some high profile criminal cases. The basic argument is that people can be excused for committing even hideous crimes if they can demonstrate that something awful happened in their past. Unfortunately, this approach has proven successful in our perverted justice system. Murderers, kidnappers and sexual offenders of every sort have been set free or have had their sentences reduced. As a result, we are seeing more and more criminals rush to assume ``victim'' status. It is happening in the church, too. It is not uncommon for sinful brethren to attempt to ``turn the tables'' on those who are trying to restore them. ``You didn't show the proper love toward me;'' ``You were unkind and didn't help me enough when I needed you;'' ``You were too harsh in the way you rebuked me;'' etc., etc., etc. You see, they have learned how to become the ``victims.'' We agree that brethren can sometimes approach situations in the wrong way. All of us need to show love, forbearance, patience and kindness. Sometimes we fail in these things. Everyone can do better. But, we are weary of sinners turning the whole matter of forgiveness around. If they have their way, the faithful ones are forced to beg them for forgiveness, while their own sins are ignored. This simply will not work! Observe the case of Peter rebuking Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:18-24). Simon was told that ``wickedness'' and a bad heart had left him in the ``gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.'' Surely he could have complained about Peter's harsh words, or unloving manner. Undoubtedly he could have countered with accusations about how he had been mistreated by others. Instead, he humbly accepted the rebuke and requested prayer. Sinners in the church today need to learn a lesson from him. ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES J. T. Smith (from Tulsa, Oklahoma) will be preaching a Gospel Meeting August 31 through September 2 at the Stewart Park church of Christ (18 Stewart Park Road) in Cross Lanes, W.V., where Bill Robinson is the regular preacher. Services will be 7:30 nightly. For directions, call 304-776-5639. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________