Hebrews 8:5
“Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”
This verse is found within the broader context of the Book of Hebrews, which emphasizes the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant over the Old Covenant established through Moses. In this particular verse, the author of Hebrews is comparing the earthly tabernacle, constructed by Moses, to the heavenly realities it represents.
Context and Background:The author of Hebrews is addressing Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and struggling with their faith. Throughout the book, the author presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate high priest and mediator of a new and better covenant. The author contrasts the temporary and imperfect nature of the Old Covenant, with its tabernacle and rituals, to the eternal and perfect nature of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.
The Example and Shadow:The verse begins by stating that the priests of the Old Covenant served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.” This means that the earthly tabernacle and the rituals performed by the priests were symbolic representations of heavenly realities. They served as a visual illustration or foreshadowing of the spiritual truths and heavenly realities to come.
Moses and the Tabernacle:The verse references Moses, who was instructed by God to build the tabernacle according to a specific pattern. In the book of Exodus, God called Moses up to Mount Sinai and gave him detailed instructions on how to construct the tabernacle, including its design, dimensions, and materials. Moses was told to ensure that everything was made exactly according to the pattern shown to him on the mountain.
Divine Revelation:The phrase “as Moses was admonished of God” highlights the fact that the instructions for the tabernacle were given directly by God. Moses received a divine revelation, and he was instructed to follow the revealed pattern precisely. This emphasizes the divine origin and authority behind the design and construction of the tabernacle.
Significance:The author of Hebrews uses this reference to Moses and the tabernacle to demonstrate that the earthly tabernacle was a mere copy or shadow of the true heavenly sanctuary. The tabernacle and its rituals served as a temporary and imperfect representation of the spiritual realities to come through Jesus Christ. The author’s purpose is to show that Christ, as the ultimate high priest, offers a superior and everlasting covenant that fulfills and surpasses the symbolism and rituals of the Old Covenant.
In summary, Hebrews 8:5 highlights the symbolic nature of the Old Covenant’s tabernacle and its rituals. It emphasizes that Moses received divine instructions to construct the tabernacle according to a specific pattern, serving as a visual representation of heavenly realities. The verse ultimately points to the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant as the fulfillment of these symbolic representations.
