Hebrews 9:19-20 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.”
The author now reflects back on the making of covenant with the people. After he came down from Mount Sinai, he consecrated the people as holy unto the Lord. They were to be set aside from their pagan environment and be special to God. The blood of calves and goats was used as a symbol of this consecration. This blood was sprinkled on the covenant “book” and on the people by using wool and hyssop. The key idea is that the blood shed from making the covenant was used to sanctify the people. This idea can be applied to Jesus who ratified the new covenant by his blood and by this same blood sanctified those who put their faith in him. This connection between the Old and New Testaments is significant. It brings unity to the whole Bible. It shows that God had a greater plan for the old sacrificial system of Israel. All of this pointed ahead to what Jesus would do on the cross. This is technically called a “Christological interpretation” of the Old Testament. It shows a profound understanding of the theology behind the sacrificial system. It also explains why there is no need for any more sacrifices.
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