What is the meaning of Hebrews 9:6? When everything had been prepared in this way Hebrews 9:6 opens by reminding us that worship under the old covenant never began haphazardly. Every lampstand, table, and curtain had to be arranged “just as the LORD had commanded” (Exodus 40:16-33). The author of Hebrews looks back to that meticulous preparation to underscore two truths: • God sets the terms for approaching Him; holiness demands careful obedience (Leviticus 8:4-5). • The pattern hints at Christ, who later declared, “I am the way” (John 14:6) and prepared a better access through His own body (Hebrews 10:19-20). The tabernacle’s readiness, therefore, points beyond itself to the perfect “preparation” accomplished at the cross. the priests entered regularly Once everything was in order, “the priests entered regularly.” Their service was daily (Exodus 29:38-42) and unending: morning and evening sacrifices, incense at dawn and dusk, lamps tended every night. Luke 1:8-9 shows Zechariah still performing this routine centuries later. The repetition underlines the temporary nature of animal sacrifices—none could finally remove sin (Hebrews 10:11). By contrast, after Jesus offered Himself “once for all,” He “sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12), signaling that His priestly work is complete. into the first room The regular traffic stopped at the Holy Place. Only the high priest could cross the veil into the Most Holy Place, and only once a year (Leviticus 16:2; Hebrews 9:7). That veil powerfully illustrated restricted access. Exodus 26:33 ordered it hung “to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.” When Jesus died, “the veil of the temple was torn in two” (Matthew 27:51), proclaiming that the barrier was removed. Hebrews 9:2 lists the furnishings within the first room—lampstand, table, and consecrated bread—each foreshadowing better realities found in Christ (John 8:12; 6:35). to perform their sacred duties Their duties were called “sacred” because they belonged entirely to the Lord: • Trimming lamps so the light never went out (Exodus 27:20-21). • Burning fragrant incense, symbolizing the prayers they lifted for the people (Exodus 30:7-8; Revelation 8:3-4). • Replacing the bread of the Presence every Sabbath (Leviticus 24:5-9). All of it illustrated mediation. “Every high priest is appointed to represent men in matters relating to God” (Hebrews 5:1). Yet even with constant activity, the conscience remained uncleansed; the ceremonies dealt only with externals. They pointed ahead to the once-for-all, fully effective ministry of our Great High Priest (Hebrews 9:24-26). Believers today, made a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), now serve from a place of completed forgiveness rather than striving for it. summary Hebrews 9:6 draws a snapshot of daily tabernacle life: careful preparation, continual priestly entry, limited access, and ongoing sacred tasks. Every detail shouts that sin creates distance and demands atonement, while simultaneously setting the stage for Jesus, who prepared the true sanctuary, entered it once for all, opened the way past the veil, and finished the work so we can serve God in confidence and freedom. |
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