JESUS AND MOSES COMPARED The way of approach to God is revealed in the tabernacle service. This service was given to Israel, and pertained to them (Rom 9:4). It did not, however, end with them! They were the custodians of a "service" that prefigured, or foreshadowed, "the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory" (2 Tim 2:10). The "way" into the presence of God had not been made known. What is even more, the people were not capable of comprehending that way without being introduced to it. Apart from the tabernacle service, this "way" has no earthly parallel. It is not a mere matter of protocol, and thus was not prefigured by the approach to earthly kings. Nor, indeed, was it a matter of human ingenuity--a product, so to speak, of man groping for God. JESUS IS OVER HIS OWN HOUSE Moses was a servant over God's house. The Son is over His OWN house. "But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house." Some have argued over whether "His house" refers to God or the Son – whether the Son was over God's house, or whether it belonged to Himself. The technicalities of the language are of no consequence here. The distinction being made is that of a servant versus a son. "Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant," while "but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house." Moses was a steward, Jesus has been given the house! From another view, the Israelites were in the care of Moses, but they did not belong to him – they belonged to God (Judges 20:2; 2 Sam 14:13; Heb 11:25). -- Tomorrow:
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all His house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (Heb 3:1-6)
Devotion 8 of 12
THE WAY TO GOD REVEALED
In the tabernacle service, Moses revealed the way to God. " . . .into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure . . . " (Heb 9:7-8). And how was the way revealed? This way involved Divine requirements, and therefore had to be precise. Because this will be covered later in our lessons, I will only summarize a few of those requirements here. Remember, this is the REASON for the tabernacle service – to depict these requirements.
The altar of sacrifice revealed the way to God necessarily includes a substitutionary sacrifice. The lava revealed that those approaching God must be washed – cleansed from impurities. The holy place was separated from the outer court, showing that only qualified and prepared people can enter the presence of God.
The tabernacle itself was covered with badger skins, yet inside was a remarkable display of beauty and value. This taught men that fellowship with God does not appear valuable from the outside. It is, however, exceeding precious from the inside.
Within the holy place, there as a lamp, declaring that illumination and enlightenment is found in fellowship with the Lord. There was also a table with show bread, proclaiming that sustenance is experienced in the service of God. The altar of incense acquainted men with the necessity of being pleasing to God. Whoever approaches God must bring with them a fragrance that appeals to Him. The veil that separated the holiest place from the holy place revealed that real fellowship can only be experienced on a personal level.
Those who come into this arena must be qualified – not by mere ritual, but through redemptive provision. Within the holiest place, God communed with the High Priest from the mercy seat, which covered the ark of the covenant. This showed that the deepest and most profound contact with God is based upon mercy, and that His mercy supersedes, but does not obliterate, His demanding Law. Effective intercession was not made in the outer court, or even in the holy place. It was only accomplished within the holiest place – in contact with God.
This intercession also required the blood of the sacrifice. This teaches us that the blood of atonement is made effective in heaven, not upon the earth. The blood of the atoning sacrifice touching the heart of God is what makes the sinner acceptable. Do you see why Moses had to make the tabernacle according to the pattern revealed to him in the mountain? It was not a mere lesson in obedience, although that was involved. This was God's way of preparing the world for the way of salvation. The way to God was made known – a way absolutely indispensable to Divine acceptance. The One that built the house has more honor than the house – even though the house is built by God! What glorious things will be experienced by those that perceive this reality!
In Jesus' day, some Jews called themselves "Moses' disciples" (John 9:28). That is not to be compared with being "in Christ." Moses' ministry primarily involved testifying of things to come. He really did not give the people spiritual advantages. This was not due to any deficiency on his part; he was "faithful in all of His house."
It was the nature of Moses' ministry to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ! He (the Son) was the appointed Head over the house. That condition confirms the superiority of the Son of God. If it was not for Christ, Moses would have had no ministry at all! The Son was the whole reason for the indispensable ministry of Moses, the man of God. He was also the reason for the Law, with all of its attending ordinances. The Son, on the other hand, provides eternal riches to His household, bringing them to God – something Moses could never do.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that You have given Your household to Your Son – one who is able to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.