Hebrews 7–10
“Having Obtained Eternal Redemption for Us”
Have you ever experienced a time when you needed your faith in Jesus Christ to be confirmed? When you felt that you needed some extra help to remain on the covenant path? The Hebrew Saints were seeking reassurance about their faith in Jesus Christ and His power to save. Paul wrote to them to offer this reassurance. He reminded them that the law of Moses itself pointed to Jesus Christ and His Atonement as the true source of salvation. This lesson is intended to help strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Redeemer by helping you understand ancient symbols in the law of Moses.
Incorporating teacher presentation. Taking an active role in the learning process helps students understand and apply doctrine and principles from the scriptures. However, it does not entirely replace the need for a teacher to appropriately present information while students listen. Sometimes a teacher needs to explain, clarify, and illustrate concepts so students can more clearly understand them.
Student preparation: Invite students to bring an object to class and explain how it testifies of or reminds them of Jesus Christ. For example, a student could bring an eraser and explain that it reminds them of Jesus Christ because He can erase, or forgive, our sins.
Possible Learning Activities
“All things bear record of [Jesus Christ]” (Moses 6:63)
If possible, consider outlining the tabernacle (see the diagram later in this lesson) on the floor before class, using tape or string. Or draw it where students can see it. Alternatively, display some or all of the images in this lesson for students to see throughout the class period.
Find an object nearby that reminds you of Jesus Christ or could be used to testify of Him. Consider what it is about the object that reminds you of (or represents) Jesus Christ.
Complete the following statement using this object:
Display the following incomplete sentence, and invite students to complete it using the object they chose in their class preparation. They could do this in pairs, in small groups, or as a class.
“ reminds me of Jesus Christ because.”
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How can symbols and comparisons like this help you deepen your understanding of Jesus Christ and what He has done for you?
The scriptures record that all things given by God testify of Jesus Christ (for example, see 2 Nephi 11:4; Moses 6:63).
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How can remembering this help you?
The performances and ordinances of the law of Moses were intended to function as a “type” or “shadow” that pointed the Israelites to Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice (see 2 Nephi 11:4; Jacob 4:4–5; Mosiah 3:15). In his Epistle to the Hebrews, Paul discussed the symbolism of the law of Moses and the ancient tabernacle to remind the Saints of their need for Jesus Christ and His Atonement. He wanted to help the Jewish Saints remain faithful to Jesus Christ instead of reverting to following the law of Moses—and his teachings can also help us as we strive to remain faithful to the Savior today. In this lesson, you will have an opportunity to better understand how symbolism in the scriptures points us to and testifies of Jesus Christ.
Based on the needs of students and class time, determine whether to focus on the section “Priests after the order of Melchizedek,” the section “Ancient tabernacle symbolism,” or both.
Priests after the order of Melchizedek
In Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews, the high priest and other priests of the ancient Israelites symbolize Jesus Christ.
One role of the priests was to act as mediators, symbolically standing between the people and God. They fulfilled this role by offering daily animal sacrifices for the sins and transgressions of the Israelites (see Leviticus 1; Hebrews 10:11). This was done in the tabernacle.
Read Hebrews 7:22–28, noting the Joseph Smith Translation for Hebrews 7:25–26 (found in the Bible appendix). Look for how the actions of these high priests help us understand that Jesus Christ offered His own life as a sacrifice for our sins. Consider the following definitions as you study:
Display the following definitions for students to see as they read:
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“Surety” in Hebrews 7:22 refers to one who guarantees another person’s financial debt.
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“Better testament” refers to the superior gospel covenant established by Christ.
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“This man” in Hebrews 7:24 refers to Jesus Christ.
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“Uttermost” in Hebrews 7:25 means “completely” and “eternally.”
Consider inviting students to write their responses to the following questions on the board:
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Which words or phrases in these verses were most meaningful to you? Why?
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What in these verses teaches that Jesus Christ offered His own life as a sacrifice for our sins?
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What do you know about Jesus Christ or what experiences have you had with Him that give you confidence that He can save you?
Ancient tabernacle symbolism
Consider pointing out the different parts of the tabernacle while explaining the Day of Atonement.
Once a year, on the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16), the high priest performed special animal sacrifices before entering the portion of the tabernacle known as the most holy place (or Holy of Holies). This part of the tabernacle symbolized the celestial kingdom, or the presence of God. These sacrifices and the actions of the high priest were intended to symbolize how Jesus, the Great High Priest, would make a sacrifice that would prepare a way for the people to enter God’s presence (see Hebrews 9:1–15).
If possible, watch “The Tabernacle” (7:18) to better understand this symbolism. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
For the next activity, consider dividing the class in half and inviting one half to read the passages in Hebrews 9 and the other to read the passages in Hebrews 10. It may be helpful to display the questions for students to refer to as they read the verses. Move around the class and assist individual students as needed.
Look for the answers to the following questions as you read Hebrews 9:11–15, 24, 28 or Hebrews 10:4, 10–17.
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What did you learn from these verses about the Savior and His Atonement?
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Based on these verses, what blessings can come to us because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
Help students identify truths from these verses. One possible truth they might identify is that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed from sin and receive the promise of eternal life.
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What do the Savior’s promised blessings teach you about what He wants for you?
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How can you show your gratitude for what Jesus Christ has done for you?
Give students sufficient time to ponder the following instructions and write in their journals. Encourage them to follow through on promptings. Share testimony of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer.
Ponder how studying comparisons and symbolism in this lesson helped you better understand Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
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What are some symbols in our day that point us to Jesus Christ?
Consider how looking for symbolism about Jesus Christ more frequently could influence your relationship with Him. Seek help from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost to identify how you can do this more often in your personal scripture study. Act on any promptings you receive.
Commentary and Background Information
What was the Day of Atonement?
Once a year on the Jewish holy day called the Day of Atonement (also called Yom Kippur), the high priest was allowed to enter the most holy place (also called the Holy of Holies) in the tabernacle or, later, the Jerusalem temple. At the altar of sacrifice, located just outside the holy place, the high priest sacrificed a bullock and a he-goat. He would then sprinkle the animals’ blood in designated places in the most holy place to symbolize Christ’s Atonement for the priest’s sins and for the people’s sins. The high priest then symbolically transferred the people’s sins onto another he-goat (called the scapegoat), which was then driven into the wilderness, signifying the removal of the people’s sins. He also sacrificed two rams as burnt offerings for himself and the people. (See Bible Dictionary, “Fasts”; see also Leviticus 16:22.)
Hebrews 8:6; 9:15. What does it mean that Jesus is “the mediator”?
Watch the video “The Mediator” (10:47) to better understand this important title of the Savior.
Supplemental Learning Activities
The Melchizedek Priesthood
If students would benefit from focusing on the Melchizedek Priesthood, consider using the section “The Melchizedek Priesthood points me to Jesus Christ” from the Come, Follow Me outline “November 6–12. Hebrews 7–13: ‘An High Priest of Good Things to Come’” (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023). Invite students to identify ways that the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood can help them come closer to and become more like Jesus Christ.
Ancient and modern ordinances
If students would benefit from focusing on how priesthood ordinances point to Jesus Christ, consider using the section “Ancient and modern ordinances point to Jesus Christ” from the Come, Follow Me outline “November 6–12. Hebrews 7–13: ‘An High Priest of Good Things to Come’” (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023). Invite students to discuss how different ordinances testify of Jesus Christ. For example, they could discuss how baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (see Romans 6:1–6).
Hebrews 10:32–39. “Cast not away therefore your confidence”
If students would benefit from focusing on how spiritual experiences they have had and truths they already know can help them overcome challenges, consider inviting them to study Hebrews 10:32–39 and the article by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles titled “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence” (Ensign, March 2000, 6–11; Liahona, June 2000, 34–42). Invite students to share insights they find in the scripture passage and the article. Then invite them to “call to remembrance” times when they were “illuminated” (Hebrews 10:32) and write about them in their study journals. Encourage them to take strength from these experiences when they face challenges.