Page 54 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

Study Section 8: The Symbols of the Sacrificial System

8.1 Connect

When Moses received the Law of God, he also received detail plans for constructing a
tabernacle which was going to be a place of God’s dwelling with Israel. It was a large fenced in
area with a rectangular tent located within the walls of the fence. The tent was divided into
two sections, the holy Place and the Holy of Holies. A huge veil or curtain hung between the
Holy Place and Holy of Holies which symbolized that God was separated from man by sin. In
the Holy of Holies rested the Ark of the Covenant, a chest upon which God actually dwelt. Once a year,
the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of slain lambs and sprinkle the blood on
the Ark. This entire practice in detail symbolized what the coming redeemer would do for not only
Israel, but for the sins of every human. As we look at the details of the symbols of sacrificial system, we
will see that the illustrations abound in every aspect of the practice. Let’s learn more about it…

8.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to explain how the office of the High Priest illustrates the office of
Jesus Christ.

2. The student should be able to explain the purpose for the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and
Temple and why it was such a significant room.

3. The student should be able to explain why the tearing of the veil between the Holy Place and the
Holy of Holies was such a significant event and what it represents.

8.3 The High Priest
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The high priest was the supreme religious leader of the Israelites. The office of the high priest
was hereditary and was traced from Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the Levite tribe (Exodus
28:1; Numbers 18:7). The high priest had to be “whole” physically (without
any physical defects) and holy in his conduct (Leviticus 21:6-8).

Because the high priest held the leadership position, one of his roles was
overseeing the responsibilities of all the subordinate priests (2 Chronicles 19:11).
Though the high priest could participate in ordinary priestly ministries, only certain
functions were given to him. Only the high priest could wear the Urim and the
Thummin (engraved dice-like stones used to determine truth or falsity). For this
reason, the Hebrew people would go to the high priest in order to know the will of
God (Numbers 27:21). An example of this is when Joshua was commissioned by
Eleazar, the high priest, to assume some of Moses’ responsibilities (Numbers
27:21). In the New Testament, we find a reference to the high priest having the gift
of prophecy (John 11:49-52).

23 https://www.gotquestions.org/high-priest.html (Used by permission)

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