I wish he had time to tell us more.

A strange title I admit but you will see why.

The author is contrasting what we have now with what was before. He is trying to convince the community of believers not to go back to Judaism. That the law written in their hearts is better than the law written on stone. That the new covenant far outweighs the old and the glory of God in their lives is greater than the past glory. He seems to linger on the temple furnishings and yet not enough: I wish he had time to tell us more.

“Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. ² A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. ³ Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ⁴ which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. ⁵ Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.” (Hebrews 9 v 1-5)

The Holy Place

The lampstand: I wish we could discuss how it represents not only the light of God but His presence and the oil on the lamps the anointing of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The table with the consecrated bread: I wish we could discuss how it represents Jesus the Bread of Life.

Second curtain: I wish we could discuss how it represents entrance into the Holy presence of God and a longing for it to be torn in two giving access for such.

The Most Holy Place

The golden altar of incense: I wish we could discuss how it represents the prayers of God’s people rising to heaven.

The gold-covered Ark of the Covenant: I wish we could discuss how it represents the presence of God, for some it literally contained His presence within the Ark.

This ark contained the gold jar of manna: I wish we could discuss how it represents the provision of God for our lives.

Aaron’s staff that had budded: I wish we could discuss how it represents God’s fruitfulness and authority working through our lives.

The stone tablets of the covenant: I wish we could discuss how it represents God’s guidance of His Word for our lives.

Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover: I wish we could discuss how it represents God’s voice speaking between the cherubim and above the seat of mercy, the combination of Voice, Glory and Mercy!

I wish he had time to tell us more. “But we cannot discuss these things in detail now” v5.

We just glimpse with imagination into a culture, a time and place which is alien to us and yet carries a symbolism that we are thankful and cry out for today.