Hebrews 10:1

Hebrews 10:1

The shadow of the Law

Men can castigate the Jews all they like but there is one tangible thing they had, or have, that no other nation has been given – the Law. For all its complexities and the obstacles it puts between us and God, it is still His Word and His will revealed. It may be “a shadow of the good things that are coming” but it is God revealing His heart to men and exposing the destructive power and deceitfulness of sin. No other nation has been given instructions from heaven like the Law, and it may only be a “shadow,” but it is still a glimpse of how the Godhead thinks and works. With the Law came the Levitical priesthood and all the rituals and ceremonies associated with this, every detail of which was, and is, a pointer to a greater heavenly reality. Without the Torah the world would have no clue as to how God thinks or the nature of the heavenly Tabernacle and the glorious work of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ Himself. The Jews can only see the earthly shadow; most eyes are blinded so that they have no way of comparing this with the heavenly reality. Those privileged few whose eyes have been opened can see, through the glorious light of the Gospel, what will one day, become clear to all. Hallelujah!

The endless rituals performed, year after year, under the regulations of the Law never achieved the goal of restoring the relationship of men with Almighty God. We are made in His image, created to be in full union with Him and to carry out His will on earth. Instead, the history of mankind is one of rebellion, disobedience, and complete rejection of the divine Being who made us and gave us life. He alone should be worshipped; He is the only spiritual Being who loves us and is able to assist us in our journeys through life. However, He has always had a pernicious and arrogant enemy who has spread His evil and deceitful influence across the planet and threatens to annihilate mankind and all created life. That is why Christ had to come, it’s an incredibly complex and inspired plan that rescues us from evil and sin, that fulfils every letter of the Law, that overthrows the Satan’s power and authority and makes it possible for individual humans to be restored to their intended relationship with their Maker. This verse goes further, “He makes perfect those who draw near to worship.”This is the ultimate goal, that we might be restored to our original and intended relationship with God and be able to worship Him and Him alone. 

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