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NASB | Hebrews 10:19 ¶ Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 10:19 ¶ Therefore, believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where God dwells] by [means of] the blood of Jesus, |
Subject: Holy of Holies |
Bible Note: Hi Doc, Hebrews 10.22 says, 'Let us draw near with a true heart, in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our body washed with pure water.' Thus we need to ensure that our heart is 'true' (compare John 4.24 and see Psalm 66.18) and we need to attune our faith, especially having in mind as we approach the precious means by which we approach 'through the blood of Jesus'. We need to apply the spiritual water of purification ('clean water', i.e. water sprinkled with the ashes of the heifer (Hebrews 9.13-14; compare 1 John 1.7 and see Numbers 8.7; 19.1 ff) ensuring that we approach Him as those who have been 'cleansed' from impurity through His sacrifice for us, and we should wash our bodies with pure water. This last is a little puzzling due to the reference to 'pure' water. It may have in mind Isaiah 1.16-18 where washing with water signifies living a continually reformed life. We can compare also the 'washing of water with the word' in Ephesians 5.26. See also the need for us to continually 'wash our feet' in John 13.10. But the idea of 'pure water'would seem to link up with the water of purification, water that has been purified, again linking with Hebrews 9.13-14 (compare Ezekiel 36.25-27), although in the Old Testament rituals that is used for sprinkling not washing. Possibly he has in mind the outward sins of the body that have to be purified. Or it may have in mind the way that the priests had to regularly wash their hands and feet prior to entering the Holy Place (Exodus 30.19-21). No doubt the water that was put in the laver was seen as 'pure water'. It would be sanctified by being in the holy laver. Thus we must continually be cleansed in the blood of Jesus (1 John 1.7) An alternative is to see it a having in mind Psalm 51.7, 'Purge me with hyssop (with the water of purification which contains the ashes of the heifer) and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.' Compare also 'wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin' (Psalm 51.2). The idea, again in line with 1 John 1.7-10 being a thorough self-examination and admitting to God of our sin so that we might be cleansed. Contrary to many I do not see it as referring to baptism as baptism is not usually seen as washing in the New Testament. Baptism (a rather large subject to deal with here) rather refers to being made alive through the 'rain' of the Holy Spirit. The apparent exception in Acts 22.16 is probably not an exception at all but I will not go into that here. A similar idea is found in Psalm 66.18, 'If I regard iniquity in my heart the LORD will not hear me', and Matthew 5.23-24, where before we approach God we are to ensure that all is right between us and our brothers and sisters in Christ. |