“They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, ‘See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain'” (Hebrews 8:5 ESV).
The Biblical epistle to the Hebrews is rightly viewed as a theologically challenging book. Yet even while it may occasionally prove difficult to follow our author’s inspired thought process, that should not preclude us from prayerfully seeking to understand and apply these teachings. Remember that God rewards the diligent student of His Word and the work we put into studying these passages is well worth the effort.
In this instance, the observations made by the following authors can assist us in this process. Our first commentator will complete our look at this reference to the “copy and shadow of the heavenly things” from our previous study…
“A shadow has no substance in itself. It has no independent existence. It merely is proof of the fact that there is a reality back of it. It is not itself solid or real. Just so, the earthly tabernacle gave proof of the fact that there was a real one, the heavenly one where God Himself dwelt, where Messiah officiates as High Priest. The Aaronic priests performed their priestly rites in the representation of the heavenly tabernacle” (1)
So while Jesus was prohibited from serving as a Levitical priest during His earthly ministry, it is also true that those priests ministered in a copy of the heavenly reality where Jesus now serves on our behalf. Our next commentator expands upon that point…
“…when he states that Christ as high priest is in heaven, he is doing more than merely telling his readers where Jesus is now. He is telling them that His ministry is a ‘real’ ministry because its sphere of operation is the real world-the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man (2, cf. vv. 5 f. for the scriptural proof for the existence of the heavenly sanctuary).
Thus His ministry, as His person (ch. 7), stands in distinct contrast to that of the levitical priests. Their ministry was earthbound. Hence They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven (s). They and their service, too, are but shadows cast by the good things which were to come, and not the very realities themselves (c£ 10:1)…” (2)
Finally, one source draws our attention to a practical application from this passage…
“Before you start building, and while engaged in building, your life-work, see that your eyes are fixed on the divine ideal and pattern.” (3)
(1) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament (Hebrews 8:5) Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(2) New International Bible Commentary general editor G. C. D. Howley, consulting editors F. F. Bruce, H. L. Ellison. Copyright© 1979 by Pickering & Inglis Ltd [pg. 1520]
(3) F. B. Meyer, B.A., Through the Bible Day by Day, Hebrews 8:1-13 The Mediator Of The New Covenant