Hebrews 8:2 - Exposition

A minister of the sanctuary ( τῶν ἁγίων , neuter, as in Hebrews 9:12 , equivalent to "the holy places;" cf. Hebrews 9:8 ; Hebrews 10:19 ), and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. The sphere of Christ's priestly ministration ( λειτουργὸς λειτουργεῖν , λειτουργία , being the recognized words in the LXX . and Josephus for denoting sacerdotal functions,—hence Liturgy ) is thus in the first place pointed to as being a heavenly one, symbolized only by the earthly sanctuary. But what is the true tabernacle, in which Christ ministers? Are we to suppose that an actual prototype of the earthly tabernacle is regarded as existing locally beyond the sky? No; it is only implied that there are, in the suprasensuous sphere, facts and relations which are symbolized and made level to our comprehension by local imagery. Still, there may be conceived as present to the writer's mind an ideal picture of a heavenly temple, such as was seen in vision by prophets, and served to aid their conception of realities beyond their ken. Thus in Psalms 29:1-11 ., where the thunderstorm is described, the LORD is conceived, in the introductory and concluding verses, as enthroned above it in his heavenly temple, sitting there a King for ever, and worshipped by the "sons of God." Thus in 1 Kings 22:19 Michaiah sees in vision "the Loud sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him, on his right hand and on his left." In Isaiah 6:1-13 . this throne is seen as the distinct counterpart of the mercy-seat in the earthly temple, with the winged forms above it, and the "house" filled with the smoke of incense, and live coals upon the altar. Ezekiel's still more remarkable visions ( Hebrews 1:1-14 ., 10., 11) are in like manner enlargements of the idea of the Shechinah in the holy of holies (cf. also Psalms 11:4 ; Micah 1:2 ; Hebrews 2:1-18 :20). Then the visions of St. John in the Revelation have the same basis; there is still seen a glorious counterpart above of the temple below; though now with new accessories, expressive of accomplished redemption. But that St. John's visions are meant only as imagery representing the incomprehensible is evident throughout, and especially from the ideal description of the holy city in Revelation 21:1-27 ., in which Revelation 21:22 is peculiarly significant: "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." In the same way is to be understood the "true tabernacle." If, as we may suppose, the writer had before his mind the prophetic visions of such a heavenly temple, he entertains them only as imaging spiritual facts and relations in the regions of eternity. "Which the Lord pitched," etc., may have reference to Isaiah 42:5 , ὁ ποιήσας τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ πήξας αὐτὸν , LXX .