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Hebrews 8:3-5

³And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. ⁴If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law of Moses. ⁵They serve in a place of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the design I have shown you here on the mountain.”

Reflect

I have participated in a few theatrical productions in high school and college. It seems as though we practice and practice and practice until we think we have it all down. The night before the big opening, we have a dress rehearsal. This is run just like the real thing. All of the costumes, lighting, sound and environment is there. There may even be a small audience. It is a foretaste of what the real production will look like.

That is what the Old Covenant is to the New Covenant. A dress rehearsal. The temple on earth was only a copy of the real one in heaven. It was God’s plan to have his people perform a dress rehearsal until Jesus came on that opening night.

Respond

Why did God give Moses specific instructions on how to build the temple?

Why was the temple so important in Moses’ day? Why isn’t it as important today?

Jesus gave us instructions on how we should live here on earth. Are you performing your own dress rehearsal for heaven?

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