In Hebrews 8, the author states the sanctuary where priests went to offer sacrifices before God was a copy and shadow of heavenly things. The next chapter continues with this subject. Hebrews 9:1-5 mentions how the tent, lampstand, ark, and mercy seat were all replicas of what is seen in heaven. Yet, verse five lets us know that although we have an idea of what is seen in heaven, it is still not known in detail. “Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.”
It is beautiful that God allows us a sneak peek into heaven through scriptures. And yet, he doesn’t tell us everything he has in store. For the complete picture of glory, we must do as David suggests in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” But in our waiting, we can imagine just how wonderful it will be to be in the presence of the Lord. David also said in Psalm 27:4 that the one thing he desired—the one thing he sought after—was to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. May this be our one true desire as well.
In the next verses, the author reminds us that the priests were commanded to enter the first section of the Tabernacle to perform their duties but that the second portion was reserved for the high priest only. That specified high priest entered the sanctuary's second, or the holiest section, once a year for the atonement of sins. The high priest always carried blood into the most sacred place to rectify his and the people's wrongs for the year, and this practice was done every year.
Jesus, our permanent and everlasting High Priest, shed his blood for us in the place of animal sacrifices. We have the Son of God who does not visit the holy place every year. He, Himself, is the holy place. Christ does not visit God the Father on our behalf. Rather, he reigns forever at God’s right side. We have a High Priest who does not serve in a copy and shadow of heavenly things but one who always lives in the reality of everlasting glory.
We are, without doubt, under a better covenant and have a far better Priest in the Skies making intercessions on our behalf. One who does not need his own atonement because he was and will always be perfect. God's mercy in offering us a High Priest in this capacity is one that words cannot describe. But it is one that we can thank and praise God for. His grace is indeed amazing.
The author mentions the concept of bloodshed, and it is worth our attention. Hebrews 9:22 states, “Under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” If we want to be right with God, we need forgiveness. We have all sinned against God by failing to keep the commands of the perfect law. Therefore, we all need God’s forgiveness, and the author states forgiveness is only offered through bloodshed. But why? Why is blood so important? Why was blood required from animals in the Old Law, and why was Christ’s blood shed for the New Covenant?
Leviticus 17:11 reads, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” Life lies within blood. So, when blood is shed, it’s likened to a life being given. Life is precisely what God requires when we sin against him. Think of how a criminal is given the death penalty for their crimes. If a judicial system can deem someone’s crimes worthy of death, certainly, a Most Holy God can deem anyone who sins against him worthy of death.
So, animal sacrifices were a mercy extended to God’s people in the past, and of course, Jesus’s sacrifice is the ultimate mercy offered to mankind. In both the Old Law and currently, God could have required our own blood for our sins, but he showed mercy both then and now. Let no one tell you that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New. He has always been merciful … that characteristic of God has always been shown. He never changes. God is, and will always be, merciful.
And in that mercy, we can take hold of an inheritance. Hebrews 8:15 reads, “Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance …” The word inheritance tends to invoke a sense of excitement within the receiver of it. Although saddened by the death of a loved one, an inheritance means something is left behind for the living … and usually, it is something good.
God did just that for us. He gave us something good. It was his will to forgive us, cleanse us, and to give us an inheritance of glory. Therefore, God created a will for you. Hebrews 9:16-17 reads, “For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.”
The text states that death must occur before an inheritance is received. God’s will for you was created before the world began, but it was not implemented until Christ died. Because of God’s will, we can have eternal life. But you know what’s most fascinating? I stated earlier that a will usually consists of something good, and I believe that to be true.
In receiving our inheritance from God, he also receives something good. He receives us. Deuteronomy 32:9 reads, “But the Lord’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance.” How majestic, loving, and sweet is it knowing that God views you as his treasured inheritance? We are something good to the Lord. When he created all things in the beginning, he called everything good, including us. We are still something good to him, and he is certainly good to us.
Just as we are God’s inheritance, He is ours. The beauty in receiving eternal life is not just about the pearly gates, streets of gold, or freedom from all that hurts and disappoints. It’s about receiving God himself as a beautiful, holy inheritance—one worth the wait and trials. It’s about receiving something exceptionally good in God the Father and Jesus His Son.
Reader, that is all I have for you. Be joyful in knowing that you are something good to the Lord, and that He is, without doubt, something incredibly good to you. Have a blessed day and week. Until next time, take care.
Quin Arrington here! Thank you for reading this week's Write On! Wednesday word. Browse the website for Christian Fiction & Nonfiction Books as well as Christian Apparel & Merchandise.
The Now, That's A Word! YouTube Channel is here: https://YouTube.com/@nowthatsaword
Have a blessed day!
Indeed!! The Lord is Something God!! Wonderful word!’