In Hebrews chapter one to seven the author was explaining the person and the qualifications of Jesus Christ, our great high priest. He is superior to prophets and the angels(Chapter 1). He is our great mediator(2:17). Christ is Superior to Moses and Joshua (Chapter. 3 and 4). He is the divinely appointed and qualified high priest to show sympathy(5:1-10). Christ's priesthood is superior to Aaron because it is in the order of Melchizedek(Chapter. 7).In fact Hebrews Chapter eight marks a new division in the epistle. Chapter eight starts with the statement that the old covenant was good but the new covenant Christ established is better. Because He is the great high priest for ever, He sat down on the right hand of the throne of God and His ministers in the true sanctuary of heaven. Earthly Tabernacle was only a type and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary. It was made in the pattern shown to Moses by God and temporary. But Christ ministers in the true heavenly sanctuary and His priesthood is eternal. Also He ministers under the new covenant of grace.The main function of the priest was to offer gifts and sacrifices to God for the people. Christ's death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice. Levitical sacrifices and tabernacle were the shadows of heavenly things to come(8:5).So Christ is the mediator of better covenant with better promises(8:6).
From verses 7 to 13 , the author shows the superiority of the new covenant Jesus Christ established through His blood. He argues that if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant(7:7). The author quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 in the next five verses here. A covenant is an agreement between two parties.God in his grace made agreement which man receives. The covenants are the expressions of divine will designed to bring fellowship between God and men. Old covenant was mediated by Moses between God and Israel. It was perfect, holy, righteous and good. It became faulty because of the failure Israel to obey.So it became invalid. The Lord sent His prophets again and again to renew His covenant with Israel. But they mocked them and despised their words until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against His people, and there was no remedy(2 Chro 36:15,16).Thus the first covenant failed to
accomplish it's purpose because of the weakness man.Prophet Jeremiah foretold about a new and perfect covenant(31:31-34).
In due time Christ shed His blood to become the guarantee of a better covenant (7:22,Matt 26:27,28). This new covenant is not temporary and provisional, but eternal and effective to forgive our sins and bring fellowship with God. The new covenant mediated by Christ is central to Christian faith. What are the advantages of the new covenant over old covenant?
1. It was made between God and His Son for the remission of our sins(Luke 22:20.
2. It was sealed with the blood of Christ rather than the blood of animals(1Cor 11:25).
3. Christ shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin of the world rather than Israel(John 1:29).
4. It gives us the privilege to call God as our father(Rom 8:15).
5. Old covenant was written on stones, but new covenant is written in our heart through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells in us(8:10; Ezk36:26,27).The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ in us by giving us the knowledge of God and guiding us in all truth((John 16:13-15;1Cor 2:10).
6. New covenant guarantees that God is merciful and and remember our sins no more(8:12).
It is not a licence to continue in sin. Our lives should not be characterized by sin but righteousness,
Everyone who is truly born of God lives righteously
God is always merciful(Ex 34:6,7). God promised that He will forgive our sins(Is 43:25;Ps 103:12). But it was not possible for the blood of animals to take away sins(Heb 10:4). Christ died to take away of the whole world (John 1:29;Heb 10:14). The new covenant is given not only for the Jews but to all who come to God by the person of Christ. Since Christ established the new covenant. the old covenant is obsolete and ready to be put aside(7:13). Do you enjoy the blessings of the new covenant?
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From verses 7 to 13 , the author shows the superiority of the new covenant Jesus Christ established through His blood. He argues that if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant(7:7). The author quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 in the next five verses here. A covenant is an agreement between two parties.God in his grace made agreement which man receives. The covenants are the expressions of divine will designed to bring fellowship between God and men. Old covenant was mediated by Moses between God and Israel. It was perfect, holy, righteous and good. It became faulty because of the failure Israel to obey.So it became invalid. The Lord sent His prophets again and again to renew His covenant with Israel. But they mocked them and despised their words until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against His people, and there was no remedy(2 Chro 36:15,16).Thus the first covenant failed to
accomplish it's purpose because of the weakness man.Prophet Jeremiah foretold about a new and perfect covenant(31:31-34).
In due time Christ shed His blood to become the guarantee of a better covenant (7:22,Matt 26:27,28). This new covenant is not temporary and provisional, but eternal and effective to forgive our sins and bring fellowship with God. The new covenant mediated by Christ is central to Christian faith. What are the advantages of the new covenant over old covenant?
1. It was made between God and His Son for the remission of our sins(Luke 22:20.
2. It was sealed with the blood of Christ rather than the blood of animals(1Cor 11:25).
3. Christ shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin of the world rather than Israel(John 1:29).
4. It gives us the privilege to call God as our father(Rom 8:15).
5. Old covenant was written on stones, but new covenant is written in our heart through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells in us(8:10; Ezk36:26,27).The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ in us by giving us the knowledge of God and guiding us in all truth((John 16:13-15;1Cor 2:10).
6. New covenant guarantees that God is merciful and and remember our sins no more(8:12).
It is not a licence to continue in sin. Our lives should not be characterized by sin but righteousness,
Everyone who is truly born of God lives righteously
God is always merciful(Ex 34:6,7). God promised that He will forgive our sins(Is 43:25;Ps 103:12). But it was not possible for the blood of animals to take away sins(Heb 10:4). Christ died to take away of the whole world (John 1:29;Heb 10:14). The new covenant is given not only for the Jews but to all who come to God by the person of Christ. Since Christ established the new covenant. the old covenant is obsolete and ready to be put aside(7:13). Do you enjoy the blessings of the new covenant?
u
