ESOCS Devotional 22 November 2025 – The Hidden Lesson
MEMORY VERSE: “Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. Hebrews 9:1
TEXT: HEBREWS 9:1-17
Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, [d]sanctifies for the [e]purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without [f]spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus Christ is the Mediator of a better covenant. He has a better priesthood and a better ministry. Hebrews 9 then describes in more detail the priestly ministry of our Saviour. First, the old covenant ritual is described – The first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. The author does not write about the covenants made with Noah or Abraham, even though they came first. Rather, by “first” he means the covenant made at Sinai, because it is the covenant replaced by Jesus’ new covenant. The Sinai covenant had laws about how people could approach God. “A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place” (Exodus 25:23-40).
“Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant” (Exodus 25:10-22; 30:1-6). This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now (for details see Exod. 16:33-34; 25:18; Num. 17:10; Deut. 10:1-5).
We now have a description of the tabernacle made by Moses and the children of Israel in the wilderness. Building it was an amazing task. The process forced them to focus on God. This description gives a small picture of the building itself and its furnishings. Exodus 25-31 and 35-40 provides the actual details of the design and the building process. But notice there was a gap in the process. While Moses was on the mountain getting the Ten Commandments and plans for the tabernacle, the people back in the camp were building the golden calf. Exodus 32-34 tells the tragic story.
We learn from this that when you are not focused on worshipping and serving God, the flesh takes over and drives people contrary to the will and ways of God. While Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments, the people back in the camp were breaking them. While Moses was in the presence and glory of God, the people were indulging in the flesh. God always prescribes ways to worship and draw near to Him. Satan always sends distractions and fleshly counterfeits. Note, that both were forms of worship. The tabernacle pointed to God and holiness, while the golden calf pointed to sin and seduction.
Both God and Satan have plans for your life. One is glorious, while the other is shameful. One points to God, the other indulges in self. One leads to life, the other leads to death. One is based on truth, the other is based on deception. Which building plan for life are you going to embrace? Are you focused on the tabernacle or the golden calf? Are you walking in the Spirit or are you in bondage to the flesh? Are you worshipping God or Satan and self? Learn well the important lesson hidden in the story of the building of the tabernacle.
CHALLENGES
- Choose today that God will remain your God and that you will love Him to the extreme.
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, help me to always rely on you per time to serve you only always. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Job 28:1-11; 29:7-28; Hebrews 9:18-28
ESOCS Devotional 22 November 2025
