10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
10 concerned only with foods and drinks,
“Foods and drinks” pertained to unclean foods.
various washings,
Priests had to cleanse themselves constantly.
and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation [to make straight].
Symbols of the reality to come were only imposed until “the time of the reformation.” The time when Christ came would preempt all the symbols with reality. God would be satisfied with what He did, and it would remain a permanent state. The old sacrifices dealt with only ritual defilements so that they could continue to worship.
The time of the reformation stands in contrast to the “present time” of verse 9. It was the time when Christ’s coming rectified the type with the antitype (He 9:23). There was limited symbolic value of types in the Old Testament.
The time of the reformation was a new order begun by Christ. We live in a day where the correction has already occurred.
PRINCIPLE:
We find perfect fellowship with God only through Christ.
APPLICATION:
Rituals of the Mosaic system were outward and temporary. Externals cannot do what the true internal can do. Rituals of the Old Testament were strictly transitory. They were mere physical ordinances that symbolized the reality, not the reality itself. People can find rest for their souls in what Christ did on the cross.
