College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 8:1-5
E.
He is a priest of a better covenant. Hebrews 8:1-13.
1.
Officiates in the true tabernacle, of which the earthly was a type. Hebrews 8:1-5.
Text
Hebrews 8:1 Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a High Priest, Who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, Hebrews 8:2 a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
Hebrews 8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this High Priest also have somewhat to offer. Hebrews 8:4 Now if He were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; Hebrews 8:5 who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 8:1 Now, of the things spoken concerning the priesthood of Christ, the chief is, That in Him we have such an High Priest as described chap. Hebrews 7:26., Who, after offering the sacrifice of Himself for us in the true tabernacle, sat down at the right hand of the manifestation of the Divine Presence in the heavens, (chap. Hebrews 9:5 note), as having by that sacrifice made a complete atonement.
Hebrews 8:2 And as an abiding Minister of the real places, namely, of the heavenly tabernacle, which, being erected by the Lord and not by man, must be unspeakably more magnificent than the Mosaic tabernacle.
Hebrews 8:3 The sitting down of Christ at the right hand of God, as the Minister of the true holy places, is a demonstration that He offered an acceptable sacrifice for sin in heaven: For every high priest being constituted to offer both free-will offerings and propitiatory sacrifices, it was necessary that this High Priest, Who was constituted by an oath, should have some sacrifice which He might offer in heaven, the only place where He could officiate.
Hebrews 8:4 For verily if He were by the oath of God constituted a Priest on earth to offer sacrifice, He, Who was of the tribe of Judah, could not be a Priest, there being, in the only temple of God on earth, priests who offer sacrifices according to the law, which limits the priest's office to the sons of Aaron.
Hebrews 8:5 Further, that Christ exercises His priesthood in heaven appears from this also, that these priests perform the service of the tabernacles with sacrifices which are a representation and shadow of the sacrifice and intercession of Christ in heaven; as is plain from this, that Moses, when about to construct the tabernacle, and appoint its services, was admonished of God: See now, saith He that thou make all things according to the pattern which was showed thee in the mount.
The chief point is this, we have such a high priest
Everything said builds up to this one great point. All the discussion is to show the great superiority of Christ over all.
Who sat down on the right hand of the throne
The authors are agreed.
a.
This is where Peter said He was on Pentecost, Acts 2.
b.
This is where Stephen saw Him, Acts 7:55.
c.
John saw Him there, Revelation 4. When did He sit down?
a.
Hebrews 10:11-13 answers: But this Man after He had offered one sacrifice for sins, forever sat down on the right hand of God.
of the majesty in the heavens
The majesty refers to God. The heavens would refer to the holy of holies where Christ now serves as Priest.
a minister of the sanctuary
The word minister usually means a public office of high and honorable rank.
a.
This can be civil, or military, or religious.
b.
Christ ministers in the sanctuary, indicating a spiritual service. The word sanctuary is also translated holy things. Milligan believes the word in the Greek means heaven itself. He says the word is used in that sense in Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:24-25; Hebrews 10:19; Hebrews 13:11. The word sanctuary probably refers to the heavens but the holy of holies and the tabernacle, to the church.
and of the true tabernacle
Here he means the substantial onethe perfect as in contrast with the imperfect.
Milligan has a lengthy discussion at this point (p. 219.)
a.
Some try to say that the sanctuary and the tabernacle are different, others that they are the same.
b.
... and of indicates a different subject is referred to than the sanctuary.
The church must be referred to here, for many scriptures teach that the church is a building. Acts 15:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 10:21.
which the Lord pitched, not man
This is a temple not made with hands.
a.
Stephen said so. Acts 7:48.
b.
Paul said so. Acts 17:24.
Matthew 16:18: I will build My church, was a claim of Christ.
a.
If the Lord pitched it, then we have no right to build otherwise.
b.
The pattern is pitched; let us build accordingly.
For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices
Gifts would refer to the free-will offerings. Sacrifices refers to those specifically commanded of God.
wherefore it is necessary that this High Priest also have somewhat to offer
What could He offer but Himself? This offering does not need to be repeatedHebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:12.
Jesus told what the greatest love was: to lay down a life for a friend, John 15:13.
a.
Christ was therefore obligated to die for man.
b.
If He gave anything less, He could not show His love as marvelously.
Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all
He could not lawfully do it.
a.
He was not of the house of Aaron; therefore, He was not qualified, Numbers 18:1-7.
Severe punishment was provided for one who invaded the office. Numbers 16:1-35; Numbers 18:3-7; 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. Observe that even Levites were killed if they encroached upon the office. Numbers 18:3.
who serve that which is a copy
Serve means the performance of sacred rites.
a.
The old covenant with its ordinances and priests pictured to us a priesthood to come.
b.
Serve as used here means to portray. Copy means an example.
a.
The Levitical priests were serving as an example of what later was to come.
b.
This made it very important that all things be made and done according to the pattern.
and shadow of the heavenly things
This is true typology. Too many endeavor to stretch typology over all the Old Testament, and they make some strange lessons. We can best understand heavenly things when God illustrates on earth as He did with this type.
Even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle
The warning is Exodus 25:40. This is stronger than just being informed how to build.
that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount
Moses was not allowed to changeadd or substitute. Observe three things:
a.
The ancient rituals were appointed for a purpose.
b.
All modes of worship are false which are not invented by the hand of God.
c.
There are no true symbols except those which the Lord gives. We have similar warnings today. Galatians 1:8-9; Revelation 22:18-19; 1 Corinthians 11:2.
What would the church be like if it were built according to the pattern?
a.
The modernist says there is no pattern.
b.
How can we find fault with Protestantism and Catholicism if there is no pattern?
c.
God has a pattern for His church, and we must build accordingly.
Study Questions
1323.
In verse one Paul speaks of a chief point. What is it?
1324.
Where is this High Priest?
1325.
Is there significance in the statement, right hand?
1326.
Did other preachers and writers locate Him differently?
1327.
What verse of the Bible tells us when He sat down there?
1328.
What does the word majesty refer to?
1329.
What does the word heavens refer to?
1330.
What is the meaning of the word minister?
1331.
What is the meaning of the word sanctuary?
1332.
Could it mean holy things? Why?
1333.
Could it mean heaven, or the holy of holies?
1334.
What is the true tabernacle?
1335.
Is the church ever spoken of as a building? Cf. Acts 15:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 3:6.
1336.
Does Revelation 21:3, which says, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, have a bearing?
1337.
Does Hebrews 9:11 refer to the same tabernacle?
1338.
Verse two says this tabernacle was pitched by God, not man. If it is not the church, then what has He built besides the church, and where is it recorded?
1339.
What is meant by the name LordChrist or God?
1340.
If the Lord pitched, what is meant by it?
1341.
Do we have any right to build differently than the Lord commanded?
1342.
In this verse two words are significant, sacrifices and gifts, What is the difference?
1343.
Would Christ be performing a priestly duty if He had nothing to offer?
1344.
What did He offer?.
1345.
Is this offering repeated? Cf. Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:12.
1346.
Verse four is a short one stating that Christ could not act as High Priest on earth, Why?
1347.
Compare Numbers 18:3 to see that Levites were limited in duties and privileges.
1348.
What is the meaning of the word serve?
1349.
What is the meaning of the word copy?
1350.
If all the Old Testament ritual and service was a copy or example of something to follow, was it necessary for the copy to be right?
1351.
What happens in a newspaper if the first copy has mistakes undetected or carelessly prepared?
1352.
What is a warning? Is it generally accompanied by a threat?
1353.
Of what was Moses warned? Exodus 25:40.
1354.
Is this stronger than just telling him how to build?
1355.
Would according to the pattern allow for substituting or alterations?
1356.
Where did Moses get his pattern?
1357.
Are there true symbols other than those of God?
1358.
Do we have any warnings about the gospel being kept pure? Cf. Galatians 1:8-9; Revelation 22:18-19; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
1359.
If the modernist is correct that there is no pattern for the church, do we have any right to be critical of Catholicism or Protestantism?
1360.
What would have been revealed about the character of Moses if he had dared to change the pattern, or was careless?
1361.
Could the same charge be brought to us?