Question Box

Question

How does one harmonise Heb.9:7, where the High Priest is said to enter into the Most Holy once in every year, with Exod.25:22 and Num.7:89, where Moses at least is said to have entered into the Most Holy and talked with God?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Answer

Moses entered the Most Holy only once in his life, when the Tabernacle had been completed and erected but before Aaron and his sons had been constituted to minister the sacred things. Moses, as the Mediator of the Covenant between God and Israel, was at that time the only one who could properly approach God on their behalf, and as indicated in Exod.25:22 which states that God would meet with Moses in the Most Holy in order to give him his instructions, he went into the Most Holy, alone, and heard the voice of God from between the cherubim giving him instructions about the priesthood. The command regarding the reservation to the High Priest of the right of entry into the Most Holy did not come into effect until after Moses had retired from the Divine presence and had instituted all things as he had been commanded. That reservation applied only to the annual Day of Atonement ceremonies. In addition, Aaron the High Priest and his sons were to enter the Most Holy, when the Tabernacle was being taken down for journeying, to cover the sacred Ark with the Veil, and wrap that in turn in a blue cloth. Then it fell to the sons of Kohath to carry the Ark to the next stopping place in the wanderings. Not until it was safely covered were they permitted to come forward lest their eyes should fall upon the sacred emblem. In this manner God sought to teach the importance of reverence and respect for those things which have to do with his great Plan of redemption.

AOH