Hebrews 9:2 Commentary and Bible Study

What we have here is a description of the tabernacle constructed by Moses in the wilderness. It is called the first tabernacle, to distinguish it from the heavenly tabernacle, the true tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2). The next verse might suggest that the holy of holies is to be regarded as a separate tabernacle, but there was only one tabernacle in the wilderness, and these should be regarded as different parts of the same physical tabernacle.The first room inside the tabernacle contained the lampstand, a six branched candelabra. It was not a candlestick. The Greek says lampstand: the translators are trying to be helpful, but there were no candles. It was fed by sweet olive oil that lit the lamps on its six branches and its seventh central lamp. Seven to the ancients was the number of perfection. That light was not only bright for its time, but it was a fragrant light, and it represented knowledge, the truth of God. We are those who are receiving revelation from God, so we understand his character and his attributes, and his ways. And its fragrance: it is a revelation about condemnation, yes, and much more. It is a revelation about mercy and communion with God and power and blessing from on high that spoke volumes of Christ. Christ said, ‘I am the light of the world’, standing in the temple, probably even motioning towards that lampstand. It had to be refuelled and tended every day, the light was never to go out. There was the table – that was not the altar. This was the table for the shewbread in the northwest part of the tabernacle and later in the temple. On it were twelve loaves, replaced every week, one for each of the tribes of Israel, and these loaves represented God's provision for spiritual life to function. We need to be provided by God and that provision would always be there and it would extend to all his true people. Those items were in the main first chamber or compartment.