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The Hebrew Sanctuary Service as described in Exodus and Leviticus has been likened to a spiritual object lesson to help a nation of people who were just coming out of Egyptian slavery. The object lessons or rituals performed by the priests were illustrations of things that could be especially helpful to persons who had no Bible. However, the rituals were only types or examples of the real thing. In "stained-glass language" we would say that the imaginary is the type and the real is the anti-type. The lamb was the type, Jesus Christ was the anti-type. When John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus the Messiah to the world he said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Even though the term "Lamb of God" does not appear in the Old Testament, it is obvious that the New Testament writers clearly understood Jesus Christ to be the Lamb of God. For a clearer explanation we read in Exodus 29:38, "This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight." NIV. It is clear that the Apostles understood the type (a spotless lamb) to represent Jesus Christ the Messiah. Peter refers to Christ as "a lamb without blemish or without spot" in 1 Peter 1:19. St. Paul clearly refers to Jesus Christ in an Old Testament connection as he writes, "...For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us." 1 Corinthians 5:7. In the Book of Revelation, John mentions Jesus Christ as the "Lamb" some 28 times. The sacrificed lamb of the Old Testament (the type) represented Jesus the crucified Messiah of the New Testament (the anti-type). With this basic understanding we can better understand some the symbolism found in the Hebrew Sanctuary Service. However, a warning needs to be given, sometimes what is taught as true is really from "The Land of If and Maybe." For example, it is said that gold stands for Divinity, silver for redemption, brass for judgment and wood for human. These definitions may or may not be correct, assigning meaning to such items is only a guess. Clear cut explanations of all the different rituals are not recorded in the Bible. It seems reasonable to assume that the people were taught the meanings of the rituals by the priests. Many things done in the Sanctuary taught obvious lessons, but others remain unexplained until this day. Were it not for the insights of the New Testament much of the meaning of the sanctuary furnishings and rituals would be unclear. The book of Hebrews is especially helpful. The New Testament book of Hebrews is thought to have been written as a general letter to those who were Hebrews by birth and Christians by rebirth. The writer refers to Christ in Old Testament Sanctuary terms, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God..." Here, in the book of Hebrews, the writer repeatedly refers to Jesus Christ as performing duties of a "high priest"---the highest ranking member of the priesthood in ancient Israel. Indeed there were numerous priests, in fact by the time of Jesus there were so many that they could only serve part-time so that everyone could have a turn. However, there was only one High Priest. Only he could enter into the place where the 10 Commandments were kept---and that was only once a year. Next time we'll look at the duties of the High Priest and
especially the Day of Atonement as a type, a spiritual object
lesson pointing to the ultimate sacrifice---the death of Jesus
on the cross. Blessings in your study of God's Word! Marvin Hunt There is never a charge for my articles, and if you have a good reason, there is no limit to how many you may request. However, if you find them valuable you may want to order my latest book, History, Mystery and Facts About the Bible. Order at 1-800-845-7618 (ext. 301). You may also order from Amazon.com. Proceeds from the book go to support this ministry. Blessings! Http://www.biblehistory.com p.s. A new column is posted weekly. Be sure and bookmark the site or put it on your favorites list. |