Hebrews 9:3b

Hebrews 9:3b

Inside the Tabernacle


The Holy Place

It’s time to look a bit more closely at the furniture that occupied the inner Tabernacle of the Israelites. This will hopefully help to make sense of the rest of this chapter of Hebrews.

As the priest entered the Holy Place, and only priests could enter, they would be illuminated by the light from the menorah, or seven branched lampstand. Light is, of course, at the very heart of God’s dealings with the earth and with mankind. Light was given at the beginning of creation; it dominates every day of our lives in contrast with darkness. Jesus was the light of the world; His Holy Spirit gives us light as does His Word. If you are a true believer in Christ, then you share in His Holy Spirit. He is your light. That was the whole point of Pentecost.

 

 

Image result for The lampstand in the tabernacle

 

The Table of Shewbread occupied the space opposite the Menorah. On it were 12 loaves of unleavened bread in two stacks of 6. Some incense was placed on the table to anoint the offering and to acknowledge that this was presented to the Lord. The bread was changed every 7 days, on the Sabbath, when it was eaten by the priests in acknowledgement of the fact that the Lord sustains and provides for His people. It is symbolic of the bread of Communion.

Image result for The table of shewbread in the tabernacle

 

 

 

The other item of furniture in the Holy Place was the Altar of Incense. This stood before the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies and in that sense, it was as close as any ordinary priest could come before the Lord. Prayers were offered here twice a day. 

 

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The Holy of Holies

As we know, a curtain separated the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) and this space was only entered once per year by the High Priest, on the Day of Atonement. (As I write it is the 20th September 2026 and Yom Kippur ,or the Day of Atonement, begins at sundown this evening!) We cannot see God’s glory. Although Jesus was God, His body veiled His glory. Peter, James and John got a glimpse on the Mount of Transfiguration. Inside that veil was the presence of God – not only symbolically but in reality. The Jews have a wonderful name for the heavenly light that shines in the Holy of Holies. Shekinah – the dwelling of the divine presence. 

Read Hebrews 10:19- 22 “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great High priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings ……”

 

Beyond the veil is an inner chamber 15 feet square.

 

  

The first item of furniture that catches the eye is the Ark of the Covenant, guarded by two cherubim.  

 

Image result for the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle

 

 

The lid is called the Mercy Seat (Hebrews 4:16.) and it was here that blood was offered on behalf of the people once per year.  The first thing we receive in God’s holy presence is mercy! Without the blood shed there, the law inside that box would be the death of us.

 

Image result for the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle

Finally, the Ark of the Covenant housed some important objects. Inside were the stone tablets with the Commandments. A constant reminder of God’s laws and His standards and man’s failure to obey.      There was a jar of manna reminding the people of God’s provision for their needs. And lastly, the box contained Aaron’s rod that budded, a visual reminder that resurrection life and power are in God’s hands for us all. 

This is a very brief summary but hopefully, it will clarify some of what is to follow.

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