The Promise of The New Covenant in The Old

Hebrews 8:7–13
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Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines “Covenant” as a binding agreement between two or more parties expressly for the performance of some action. God’s love and grace shows His readiness to make covenants with people. When God promised Noah that he would not again … More

Covenant

Moses was the mediator (go-between) of the Old Covenant in the giving of the law (Gal. 3:19-20). The mediator of the New Covenant is Jesus Christ, and He is the only mediator (I Tim. 2:). Jesus Christ is God’s superior Priest. He ministers on the basis of a better covenant (Chap. 8), in a better sanctuary (Chap. 9), and because of a better sacrifice (Chap. 10).

The theme of this chapter is a better covenant that is founded on better promises:

  1. The promise of God’s grace (vv-7-9). This New Covenant does not depend on man’s faithfulness to God, but on God’s faithful promise to man. No sinner can become a part of this New Covenant without faith in Jesus Christ.
  2. The promise of eternal change (v. 10). The Law of Moses could declare God’s holy standard, but it could never provide the power needed to obey it.
  3. The promise of forgiveness for all (vv. 11-12). There was no forgiveness under the Law because the Law was not given for that purpose. The Old Testament sacrifices brought a remembrance of sins, not a remission of sins (Heb. 10:3, Heb. 10:18).
  4. The promise of eternal blessing (v. 13). The New Covenant brings eternal blessing. Jesus Christ is the author of “eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9) and “eternal redemption” (v. 12).

Application

Even though the New Covenant of grace brings with it freedom from the Law of Moses (Gal. 5:1), it does not give me liberty to disobey God and to sin. God still desires that the “righteousness of the Law” is to be fulfilled in me through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:1-4).

Hebrews 8:7-13 (English Standard Version)


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