Hebrews 9:21-22 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
The earthly tabernacle was a copy of what is in heaven. In order for God’s presence to be in the tabernacle and for the people to draw near to God’s presence, everything needed to be sanctified, made holy and set apart for God’s special use. Moses sprinkled everything with blood, the symbol of life. By doing this, everything that was sanctified belonged to God and should be used for God’s glory. It was a symbolic act to show the faith and commitment of the people to love and serve the Lord God alone. This purification was described in the laws that Moses received from God and taught the people. The phrase in verse 22 reveals significant theology that helps explain the sacrificial system in the Old Testament and one of the reasons Jesus died on the cross as the greatest sacrifice. Shedding of blood represents giving of a life. Since sin makes us guilty with the demand of our life, the shedding of the blood of an animal takes away the penalty of our life and replaces it with the life of an animal. That way, the sin is forgiven. The shedding of blood in the old covenant had two significant affects: the cleansing and sanctifying of the people to God, and the forgiveness of the sins. Blood took care of the past and brought relationship in the present.
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