The First Covenant more Fully Explained

Moving on to Hebrews 9 we learn more about the first covenant that God made.

¹Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. ²For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. ³Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, ⁴having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. ⁵Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

We learn about the basic structure of what the earthly place for worship was like and that there were rules for worship. The writer doesn't go into a lot of detail, he just basically mentions those facts.

Then we learn the differences in the priests. The regular priests who can go into the first section and have the duties they perform, and then the high priest who is the only one allowed into "the most holy place", and only ONCE a year and he goes in there to atone for unintentional sins of the people.

⁶These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, ¹⁰but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

NONE of this touches the conscience of the sinner. It just takes care of the physical requirements of sin. When I come back here, we'll learn more about Christ's role in things. :)