The Sabbath-School Worker

LESSON XXII

MARCH 1, 1890. Hebrews 9:20-23

1. Who spoke to Israel in behalf of the Lord when the first covenant was made? SSW 28.2

2. What did he do with the blood? SSW 28.3

3. What did he then say? Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:20. SSW 28.4

4. Is there any difference in these texts? Ans. SSW 28.5

—The first says, made; the second, enjoined. The Hebrew word used has a number of significations. The conditions of the covenant were not arranged between the parties, but were matters enjoined. SSW 29.1

5. What similar language did Jesus use in establishing the new covenant? Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24. SSW 29.2

6. What more did Moses sprinkle with blood? Hebrews 9:21. SSW 29.3

7. In the typical law, were all things purified by blood? Verse 22. SSW 29.4

8. What was the nature of the exceptions? See Numbers 19. See note. SSW 29.5

9. What is necessary to the remission of sin? Hebrews 9:22. SSW 29.6

10. Why was the blood chosen to make atonement? Leviticus 17:11. SSW 29.7

11. What is meant in Genesis 9:6 by the words, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood”? Ans.—As the life is in the blood, it is equivalent to saying, Whoso taketh man’s life. SSW 29.8

12. What should be the fate of him who sheds the blood of man? Genesis 9:6. SSW 29.9

13. What does this teach? Ans.—That only blood, or life, can atone for life. SSW 29.10

14. Whose lives are forfeited to the law? See Romans 3:19, 23; 6:23. SSW 29.11

15. Must we still depend upon blood to be cleared before the law? 1 John 1:7; Ephesians 1:7. SSW 29.12

16. What was necessary in the earthly sanctuary? Hebrews 9:23. SSW 29.13

17. Were the earthly holy places purified by the blood of bulls and goats? Leviticus 16:14, 15, 19. SSW 30.1

18. What are the earthly things called? Hebrews 9:23. SSW 30.2

19. Do the heavenly things need purifying?—Ib. SSW 30.3

20. How did the patterns become defiled? See note. SSW 30.4

21. Who takes away our sins? John 1:29. SSW 30.5

22. Why did Christ take our sins upon himself? Ans.—Because he is our High Priest; the priest bears the judgment of the people. Exodus 28:29, 30. SSW 30.6

23. Where is he filling his priestly office? See Hebrews 8:1, 2. SSW 30.7

24. Are the heavenly things defiled by our sins going to our priest? SSW 30.8

25. With what is it necessary for the heavenly things to be cleansed? Hebrews 9:23. SSW 30.9

NOTES

Here again in verse 21 is a statement of that which we do not find in the writings of Moses. But we learn that the Jews had a tradition that such was the case, and in this instance their tradition must have been correct. In the account of the erection of the tabernacle, and the dedication of the holy things, it is recorded that they were anointed with oil, but the sprinkling of blood is not mentioned. This, however, does not involve any contradiction. SSW 30.10

The fact that some things, and in some cases persons, were purified without blood, see Numbers 19, does not disagree with the reasonable statement that without shedding of blood is no remission; for, in cases of purification with oil, or water, there was no sin. There were misfortunes, as in certain sicknesses, or accidents, fleshly defilements. But the wages of sin is death, always, and where the penalty is death nothing but life can meet the demand of the law. Now as the blood is the life of man (Deuteronomy 12:23), it is given to make atonement. Leviticus 17:11. The offering of blood for life signifies life for life. Hence the statement that we have redemption through the blood of Christ. It means that our lives are purchased with his life, God’s appointments are in strict accord with reason and justice. SSW 30.11

No objection against the true doctrine of the atonement is more persistently urged than this, that there can be nothing in heaven that needs cleansing. Such pleading for heaven reminds us of the zeal of Peter in vindicating his Lord. Matthew 16:21-23. But to prove that the heavenly sanctuary does need cleansing because of our sins taken by our Priest, and that nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse it, is the whole drift of the apostle’s argument. Take away this great truth, and his labored argument would be without any logical conclusion. Not only were the earthly sacrifices typical of Christ’s sacrifice, and the earthly priests typical of his priesthood, but the earthly sanctuary was typical of the heavenly holy places. And of course the cleansing of the sanctuary on earth with the blood of bulls and goats was typical of the purifying of the heavenly things with better sacrifice. In the whole argument of this remarkable letter, nothing is made more plain than this. SSW 30.12