Hebrews Chapter Nine, Shedding Light

 

Hebrews 9:1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. [2] For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;

 

Right away it may be noted that the first covenant (the Sinaitic Law) was divine; it was a divine service and form of worship of Yahweh, Israel’s covenant God. Secondly, the sanctuary in which these ordinances were performed was an earthly sanctuary. God instructs Moses, “And see to it that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain,” Exodus 25:40, see also Exodus 26:30.

The tabernacle (with its implements and ordinances) was a pattern of some true thing they were modeled after. This is a classic case of type and antitype. The antitype is something represented by a symbol, as in the Old Testament mode of worship and the tabernacle itself. Christian theology coins the term “typology” for it.

 

Further, the verse begins with the linking adverb, “then.” Linking adverbs show a relationship between two clauses or sentences (e.g. a sequence in time, cause and effect, contrast between two things). In Hebrews 8:13 the writer stated that the first covenant had become obsolete, or rather was made obsolete by God. The KJV or HCSB rendering of “old” was more suitable in terms of relating that the first covenant was decaying, aging, or growing senile, waxing worse and worse, ready to vanish away. Then (when the old covenant was active), even it had ordinances and a sanctuary to shadow the Heavenly realities the first covenant was derived from.

 

The tabernacle was the first part created by the pattern Moses received. In it were the lampstand, the table, and the showbread on the table. All of this—this first chamber often employed by the priesthood—was called the sanctuary, or the holy place, Exodus 26:33.

 

The lampstand, or menorah, was seven tiered with three branches budding from either side of the central tier. Seven, of course is the Jewish number for the day of rest or the Sabbath, and is associated with completion or perfection. We find the number seven associated with the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah the prophet writes, “The Spirit of the (1) Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of (2) wisdom and (3) understanding, the Spirit of (4) counsel and (5) might, the Spirit of (6) knowledge and of the (7) fear of the Lord,” Isaiah 11:2.

 

The Holy Spirit is found also as seven eyes in Zechariah, seven again being the number of completion or perfection; in other words, of omniscience. “Upon the stone are seven eyes,” we read, Zechariah 3:9. The stone is Christ, rejected by the builders but choice and approved of God. The seven eyes is the anointing of the Holy Spirit our Lord received when He was baptized in Jordan and the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. Later in Zechariah we read, “these seven rejoice to see the plumb line (or plummet stone) in the hand of Zerubbabel,” Zechariah 4:10. The Holy Spirit rejoiced that David’s descendant diligently finished rebuilding the post-exilic temple, as Christ would later build God’s temple in the bodies of believing saints throughout the ages.

 

If further evidence is needed to correlate the Holy Spirit with the seven eyes of Zechariah’s vision, we look to Revelation. We see, “a Lamb…having…seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth,” Revelation 5:6. Christ has the seven Spirits of God, we are told, Revelation 3:1. He ascended to Heaven so that He might send the Holy Spirit to us, who is the true lampstand of each of the churches of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3. Note how there are seven churches addressed, and how it corresponds with the Hebrew menorah from the tabernacle. The Holy Spirit proclaims Christ; He is the Spirit of God’s Son, Galatians 4:6.

 

The lampstand sheds its light on the showbread, which God commanded to always be present on the gold covered table before the veil, Exodus 25:30. Christ, we know, is the true bread sent from Heaven for men to feed upon and never die, John 6:35. The Holy Spirit’s purpose on earth is to reveal Jesus and convict the world of its need of Him. To that end the menorah stood back of the showbread, casting its light against the bread and upon the veil, where the ark and the mercy seat were found. The menorah’s purpose was to shed light on the bread of life; it’s light exposed the bread for all who entered to see it. It did not shed light for its own sake.

 

To be more philosophical about it, light created by man is deliberate; intention exists behind every light created. The light does not exist for itself, but to give sight to the blind; the light does not draw attention to itself, but to the things its presence illumines, and we hardly spare the light a second thought. God the Holy Spirit desires the world to see Christ, and by seeing Him believe on His name and receive eternal life. His purpose is to glorify God the Son, just as Jesus glorified God the Father during His earthly ministry.

 

Remember that these types or shadows of the Heavenly substance were all relegated to the front chamber of the tabernacle, called the holy place, or sanctuary. The Levitical priesthood entered the sanctuary during their daily duties; in fact they were commanded to maintain their duties day and night. “A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out,” Leviticus 6:13. The verse denotes ceaseless work while the first tabernacle (symbolic of the first covenant) stood. The priests did not rest because their role was to attend to the holy things and offer sacrifices on the perpetual fire they kept kindled. Allegorically, this could represent man seeking to enter Heaven by his works. If that is your goal, the Bible says that you can never put out the fire of your efforts, because it will take you forever to earn what God gives freely in His Son. There will be no end to your effort; nor will there be an end to the separation such stubborn effort earns.