1. The tabernacle (1-5)

The tabernacle described here is the one which Moses constructed in the wilderness. He carefully followed the pattern given him by God, so that God might come and dwell in the midst of his people. The altar of incense was the place of prayer. Hebrews places this altar within the Most Holy Place, next to the ark of the covenant. This ark, with the atonement cover, was the throne of God. This points to Jesus.

2. The priest and the blood (6-10)

Sinful people cannot come into the presence of the Holy God and live. The high priest alone could enter this Most Holy Place once a year. He could not enter without a blood sacrifice, offered for his own sins and for those of the people. But his work could not clear the guilty conscience of the worshiper. It points to Christ, the perfect sacrifice, who shed his blood for the life of the world.

Application: Lord, you are holy and you hate sin. Cleanse me of sin by the blood of the Lamb and dwell in me.
One Word: Real cleansing and forgiveness