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THE BOOK OF HEBREWS |
James Deering, AncientPath.net
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The Video Commentary |
THE VISUALIZED TEXT (NASB) (conjunctions
& prepositions underlined,
words not in original text in italics)
(alternate text in purple)
8:1 Now
the main point in
what has been said is this:
we have such a high priest,
who has taken His seat
at the right hand
of the throne
of the Majesty
in
the heavens,
2 a minister
in the sanctuary, and
in the true tabernacle,
which the Lord pitched, not man.
3 For
every high priest is appointed
to offer both
gifts and
sacrifices;
hence it is necessary that this high priest
also have something to offer.
4 Now
if
He were on earth,
He would not be a priest at all,
since there are those
who offer the gifts
according to the Law;
5 who serve a
copy and
shadow
of the heavenly things,
just as Moses
was warned by God
when he was about to erect the tabernacle;
for,
"SEE," He says, "THAT YOU MAKE
all things
ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN
WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN."
6 But
now
He has obtained
a more excellent ministry,
by as much as
He is also the mediator
of a
better covenant,
which has been enacted on
better promises.
7 For
if that
first covenant had been faultless,
there would have been no occasion sought for a
second.
8 For
finding fault with them,
He says,
"BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING,
SAYS THE LORD,
WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT
WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND
WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT
WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS
ON THE DAY WHEN I
TOOK THEM BY THE HAND
TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT;
FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND
I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM,
SAYS THE LORD.
10 "FOR
THIS IS THE COVENANT
THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
AFTER THOSE DAYS,
SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND
I WILL WRITE THEM UPON THEIR HEARTS. AND
I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND
THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
11 "AND
THEY SHALL NOT TEACH
EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND
EVERYONE HIS BROTHER,
SAYING,
'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL SHALL KNOW ME,
FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.
12 "FOR
I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND
I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."
13 When He said, "A new covenant,"
He has made the first obsolete.
But whatever
is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.
INTRODUCTION
Hebrews Chapters 8-11 give us a clear picture of the inner workings of God's plan of Redemption. Chapter 8 begins our journey with the explanation of the background of the difference between the Old and New Covenants of God with His people.
While the Old and New Covenants were made with Israel they give us great insights into the overall relationship between God and all of His people (those who are truly saved).
The time-frame of the book of Hebrews during the transitional years when the Church was made up largely of born-again Jews. Much of the teaching here is to them in order to help them understand the changes that God has made through His Son Jesus The Christ.
Hebrews 8
1 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, 'See,' He says, 'that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.' 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.
Q. Verse 1-2 - What is the "Main Point" of the first 7 Chapters of Hebrews?
A. We have such a high priest (one who takes away the sins of the world) and He sits in power in Heaven and He ministers (as High) Priest in the true tabernacle of the Lord (God's tabernacle not one built by man)."
Q. Verse 3 - How does the High Priest get to be High Priest?
A. By Appointment (appointed by God as through the family of Moses, the First High Priest).
Q. Verse 3 - What would the OT High Priest bring to offer to God?
A. The blood of bulls and goats (gifts and sacrifices)
Q. Verse 4 - Why wouldn't Jesus be High Priest on the earth?
A. He is not a member of the genealogy of Moses (a Levite). Only members of Moses family are appointed by God to be Priests.
Q. Verse 4-5 - What was the purpose of the OT Priest?
A. To offer the gifts according to the Law, to serve a copy and shadow of heavenly things - as God testified that the earthly tabernacle was to be built exactly as a copy and shadow of the real tabernacle of God in Heaven.
Q. Verse 6 - Explain Christ's MORE excellent ministry (than the Levite)
A. Christ's ministry of High Priest is as the Mediator (administrator) of the New Covenant.
Q. Verse 6 - In two words describe His Ministry
A. "More Excellent"
Q. Verse 6 - Why was this covenant better?
A. It is of God, Real and True.
Q. Verse 6 - What are the "Better Promises?"
A. The total and complete redemption of "All Those Who Would Believe" (all those things that result from that one act of sacrifice).
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
Q. Verse 7 - What is the meaning of Verse 7?
A. If the blood of bulls and goats could have brought remission of sin then there would be no need for God to send His Son to provide a more effective sacrifice.
Verse 8 tells of the benefits of the New Covenant to those who ABIDE in it. That does not mean abide as constancy, but those who have taken residence because of a faith like Abrahams - the Family of Faith.
8 For finding fault with them, He says,
Q. Verse 8a - What does the Lord mean - "Finding fault with them"?
A. Finding fault with the 1st Covenant, Law, Sacrifices, Ordinances, and the priesthood in general.
This next section is a series of quotes from the Old Testament, a collection if you will, of the covenant promises of "The Great and Mighty Day of the Lord." It is at that time when all the promises made to the faithful are complete.
'Behold, days are coming, says the Lord,
When I will effect a new covenant
With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
We know that the New Covenant, written in the Blood of Christ, was established with Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus, like the types found in the Old Testament, became the High Priest of God and delivered "The Blood of God" to the Mercy Seat by seating Himself upon that seat - at the right hand of God Almighty. Israel had rejected her God and her Messiah shortly before this took place and the Age of the Church was begun with the setting aside of Israel for this part of God's plan. There is coming a time when God is finished with the Age of the Church. At that time there will be a winnowing season (The Tribulation) where Israel is purged from all unbelief and then coming out of that season there will be a New Israel, led by the house of Judah and at that time The New Covenant will be established with them.
9 Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers
On the day when I took them by the hand
To lead them out of the land of Egypt;
For they did not continue in My covenant,
And I did not care for them, says the Lord.
God tells us that the Nation of Israel, largely, failed in its Old Covenant responsibilities. Israel pursued selfishness and Idolatry at the exclusion of God and Godliness, "for the did not continue in My covenant." The end result of their unbelief has left them in a place where God "did not care for them."
10 'For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
After those days, says the Lord:
I will put My laws into their minds,
And I will write them on their hearts.
And I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
While believers experience the promises of the New Covenant now in the Church Age we do so because we are the beneficiaries of the nature and character of God as adult sons (position). However the promises presented here are to the Nation of Israel following the Tribulation - into the Millennium - and on into Eternity.
11 'And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen,
And everyone his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
For all will know Me,
From the least to the greatest of them.
12 'For I will be merciful to their iniquities,
And I will remember their sins no more.'
13 When He said, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.
Once again remembering the quality of transition of the book of Hebrews. Written to Hebrew believers so that they might understand what is happening in them and their religion. The New Covenant has been established with the death and resurrection of Jesus, however the benefits of this New Covenant have not yet been realized.
The Commentary from The Video Study
HEBREWS CH-8, PART-1
Hello everyone, and
welcome, to our video series on the book of Hebrews. We're teaching a
word-on-word, line-on-line Book of Hebrews Video series. This is the First study
on Hebrews Chapter 8.
If
you're interested in the rest of the series... here's the link to our YouTube
Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoFromJimmy\
Dr. D. A. Carson's Analytical
Outline of the Book of Hebrews is available free here:
https://resources.thegospelcoalition.org/library/analytical-outline-of-hebrews
In chapter 8 our writer is
dealing with the three comparisons found in Chapter 8. The first comparison
concerns the ministry of Jesus Christ as High Priest in comparison with Aaron as
High Priest. The second comparison concerns the reality of Christ's heavenly
sanctuary in comparison with Aaron's earthly sanctuary. A final comparison in
this chapter will be of God's old covenant (Mosaic) under which Aaron performed
his duties for the Nation of Israel and God's New Covenant under which Christ
will mediate for all mankind, and specifically Israel.
Once again referring to Dr. D.
A. Carson's Analytical Outline as our long-term guide,
VI. The Superior Ministry of
Jesus the Appointed High Priest, 8:1-10:18
A. The Superior Ministry of the Heavenly High Priest,
8:1-6
B. The Superiority
of the New Covenant, 8:7-13
So we'll need to begin with a
short review of Chapter 7 ' The Melchizedekian Priesthood of Jesus Christ. For
we need to emphasize the main points made by our writer ' because In verse 1 of
Chapter 8 he's going to reference just what the 'Main Point' is.
Now if
perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the
people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to
arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to
the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes
place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken
belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it
is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to
which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.
In verses 11-14 fault was
found in the Levitical priesthood, actually with the people themselves, but
we'll explore that later. Over the centuries of this priesthood sin was only
covered over and the nation of Israel never did really leave pagan worship and
give their full hearts over to the LORD. Therefore, a new priesthood was needed
and It could not continue to be from the line of Levi. It must come from a
better order of priesthood.
And this is clearer still, if
another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become
such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the
power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of Him, 'You are a priest
forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'
In verses 15-17 The eternal
nature of the Melchizedekian priesthood would replace the genealogical
requirement of the priest (under the Mosaic law the high priest must be of the
tribe of Levi and personal family line traceable back to Aaron) with a
priesthood based upon the priest's life being eternal. The one who fit that
requirement was the Messiah (Jesus The Son of God) to whom God has spoken, 'Thou
art a priest forever according to the Order of Melchizedek' (Psalm 110:4).
In verses 18-24 our writer
briefly explains the weakness of the Mosaic covenant. The Law was weak and
useless. It could not save the individual; it could only bring condemnation. The
second half of these verses speaks to the 'bringing in of a better hope,' a New
Covenant which is based upon God's Oath to His Son, 'The Lord has sworn and will
not change His mind, 'You are a priest forever.'' Verse 22 states that Jesus has
become the 'guarantee' of this New and better covenant. Then Verses 23 and 24
tell us that the statement 'You are a priest forever,' has a double meaning.
First is the length of time His priesthood shall be effective ' forever. And
Second, is the old priesthood was based upon men. Men who would serve for a
lifetime and then die, to be replaced with another man. But this Jesus lives
forever and will never need a replacement.
For, on the one hand, there is
a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in
of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as it was not
without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an
oath through the One who said to Him, 'The Lord has sworn and will not change
His mind, 'You are a priest forever''); so much the more also Jesus has become
the guarantee of a better covenant. The former priests, on the one hand, existed
in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but
Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood
permanently.
Then in verse 7:25 the message of the Gospel is made
clear... Speaking of Jesus, the Son of God:
(7:25)
Hence, also,
He is able to save forever
those who draw near to God
through Him,
since He always lives to make intercession
for them.
Here we'll take this verse apart and pull 4 important truths from it:
1. Jesus is able to save
We are instantly reminded of words from the book of
Acts and Chapter 4, verse 12... 'And there is salvation in NO ONE ELSE; for
there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we
must be saved.'
HIS SALVATION IS 'FOREVER'
HERE THERE IS JOHN 3:16, 'FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD,
THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT
PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.'
2. Those who will be saved
need to 'Draw near to God through Him.'
James Chapter 4:8, 'Draw near to God and He will draw
near to you.'
3. There is only one way or avenue to draw near
through in order to be saved forever... and that is, speaking of the Son of God,
through Him.
4. Jesus' function as High Priest is to always make
intercession to His heavenly Father on behalf of those who draw near to God
through Him.
Romans
8:34, 'Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who
was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.'
(7:26)
For it was fitting
for us
to have such a high priest,
holy,
innocent,
undefiled,
separated from sinners and
exalted above the heavens;
We'll take verse 26 apart, just like 25.
Vs. :26
God's love is of such a character that it is
fitting that we should have such a high priest. We need to be careful not to
read that thought as if we were of such importance that it was fitting that God
should have a great high priest for us. No, God's character is so grand that He
chooses to love us in such a way that the life, ministry, sacrifice, and death
of His beloved son... would make it fitting that He should become our Great High
Priest.
Jesus is Holy
First of all He is God ' therefore Holy. He
is totally and completely set fully apart from sin. Then He is Holy, set apart
to the place of being set at the Right Hand of God Almighty. And Then... He's
holy and wholly set apart by His heavenly Father to the ministry of man.
Jesus is
Innocent (of sin)
Because He is God He cannot, as it is against His
nature, use sin as a means to an end. Not only are His intentions totally devoid
of sin, but His actions as well.
Jesus is
Undefiled (by sin)
Again, because He is God, sin has no hold upon
Him, sin cannot be used to insinuate against Him. He remains Holy and Righteous.
That is His character and nature.
Jesus (as
Holy) is separated from sinners
Jesus has a relationship to sinners ' but He
cannot abide with them. His ministry as Great High Priest puts him in contact
with sinners ' but only in order to communicate their need for salvation through
Him. His spirit convicts the sinner. He will be faithful ' even to the sinner '
until their final rejection. Sinners do, however, benefit from God's general or
common grace.
1. Jesus is
Exalted above the heavens
We're only told part of the story of God and His
creation. For us Heaven is largely a place of the future. We know of its place
in our world and that God and the Angels abide there, and the scriptures hint of
other creatures who dwell there as well. What we do know is that all the
creatures of Heaven are in Joyful Worship of Jesus and His position as Great
High Priest ' He holds other offices as well ' but this is the message of the
book of Hebrews.
(7:27)
Who
does not need daily,
like those high
priests,
to offer up sacrifices,
first for His own
sins and
then for the sins of the people,
because this He did
once for all
when He offered up
Himself.
We should see verse :27
as one complete thought
and not pull it all apart. Jesus, because He died making the offering of Himself
for sin ' once for all ' and was resurrected as proof that His heavenly Father
was satisfied with His sacrifice and offering. As a result, because He is God,
He was able to die for an infinite number of men and women, boys and girls.
Because His sacrifice is effective and efficient... He did not need to sacrifice
again for His or anyone else's sin and sins ever again. Therefore, He is the
ultimate Great High Priest. Those High Priests and priests of the Levitical
'shadow' system continued to need to sacrifice for their own sin and sins as
well as for those of the nation of Israel ' Jesus does not.
(7:28)
For the Law appoints men as high priests
who are weak,
but the word of the oath,
which came after the Law,
appoints a Son,
made perfect forever.
I'm sure we're all familiar
with much of the Mosaic Law and at least parts of its rules for the priesthood.
Our writer's comment concerns the appointment of the High Priest ' the official
ruler/leader of the Levitical priesthood. His comment is that the law required
the appointment of a man to become the high priest. There were lots of other
specifications... but our writer is focusing upon his manhood, and the fact that
all men (and women) have a limited lifespan ' we must all die. The priests and
the high priests must be replaced on a regular basis.
The second half of the verse
refers to the Oath that God the Father swore to God the Son (Jesus). That Oath
was based upon God the Father's word, 'You are an High Priest forever' [Heb.
7:17; Ps 110:4].
The Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest tells us that the
Greek word translated here as 'Perfect' has its meaning wrapped up in 'the task
given was perfectly completed.' While the Aaronic Levitical high priest was
'weak' (able to die, unable to provide a permeant solution for sin/sins), the
Son of God, based upon God the Father's Oath, was able to provide that permeant
solution for both the guilt and penalty for sin and sins.
That's the introduction and
now we move to Hebrews Chapter 8. Let's take a look at William MacDonald's book,
'From Ritual to Reality ' The Epistle to the Hebrews' lends to us a good and
simple outline to follow.
I. Christ's Ministry Superior to Aaron's, 8:1-13
a. The two sanctuaries
contrasted, 8:1-6
i. The Heavenly sanctuary
ii. The Earthly sanctuary
iii.
Christ's more excellent Ministry
b. The two covenants
contrasted, 8:7-13
i. The first covenant
ii. The New Covenant
Looking closely at this outline we first should note
that there are two major division ' The red, and the Black. The major heading
indicates that this chapter is divided into two themes about one overall
subject.
The subject would be: Christ's Ministry
Superior to Aaron's
In the First subdivision, The two sanctuaries
contrasted. The two sanctuaries would be, No. 1, The Heavenly Sanctuary. And No.
2, The second sanctuary would be: The Earthly Sanctuary. A sub note here is the
description that Christ's Ministry is a more excellent ministry than Aaron's.
The second division (small b.
in red) gives us two more items that need to be contrasted. 1st is the First,
Mosaic, or Old Covenant, and the second Item is the 'New Covenant.'
Just a reminder... a covenant,
in the context of the book of Hebrews, is a 'Will and Last Testament.' In this
case the document outlines the inheritance of the Son of God to the Children of
Abraham, based upon the blood sacrificial death of The Son of God, Jesus, the
Christ. Like all wills, the recorded inheritance is not dispersed until the
writer of the will has died.
This is also a good place for
the reminder that these promises were given to the nation of Israel eternally.
Church saints are co-benefactors in this covenant (or Will) based upon their
adoption into the 'Family of God,' and their being 'Grafted into the Vine' of
the Light and Life of Christ.
In today's host of world
Christian theologies, it is important to understand that how you interpret the
Bible is of utmost importance. In order to be a 'Biblical' Christian, you must
believe the Bible. Using a 'Normal, Literal' approach to Bible interpretation '
reading the Bible just like any other normal document... fact is fact, symbols
are symbols, analogies are analogies, etc... will lead you to having a correct
understanding of what God wants you to know and understand. Using this system of
interpretation God has gifted the Nation of Israel with an eternal purpose. His
revelation concerning the future of Israel concerns the future of Israel and not
the Church. Other systems often tend to be anti-Semitic and attempt to replace
the rightful place of Israel with the Church. Have no part in them. God does not
lie, and He doesn't change His mind.
So that was the introduction.
Now chapter 8 opens with a statement that we have a
'Main Point,' and that main point is what has been just said concerning the
closing verses of Chapter 7. For we have there the summary statement of this
main point. It is the description of The Christ (Jesus) as the Great High
Priest.
Our writer instructs his congregation, and us, that
the Priest's position and responsibility is to open the way to God for men. The
priest removes the barriers between God and man. He builds that bridge across
which a man can go into the presence of God. He's all about access to God; it is
fellowship with God; it is the right to enter into the presence of God.
When we talk about Jesus
Christ as the Great High Priest of God we need to take the idea of the priest
and move it up into another realm. Instead of the earthly priest revealing the
way through continual gifts and sacrifices... we see Jesus revealing the way to
reality instead of a shadow route. We'll see shortly how God showed Moses the
heavenly tabernacle reality... and told him how to construct the shadow
tabernacle here on earth based upon what He showed him in a vision of heaven.
Part 2 of this verse speaks
about the reality of the Majesty in the heavens, and Seat of Mercy upon which
Jesus is seated, at the right hand of the throne of God. Our Great High Priest
is seated next to His Father amid the power of The Holy Spirit ' in reality.
Make sure you don't see this statement as some do ' that all of earth's and
life's structure is just a shadow of some unknown reality (Gnosticism, Plato,
Aristotle, and some of the early church fathers ' much like our modern movie The
Matrix) but know that earth is real and heaven is real. God put into place a
tabernacle on earth that was a 'shadow,' a 'model' if you will of the Glorious
tabernacle that is real in heaven ' where every element of construction, both
there and here, demonstrate and show forth the Glory of Jesus, the Christ, the
very Son of God, and what He has done to become Our Great High Priest.
(8:2)
a minister
in the sanctuary and
in the true
tabernacle,
which the Lord pitched,
not man.
So, the main point... We have this High Priest, He has
sat down, in this place of majesty, and now... He is a minister in the Holy
places of heaven, even in the Great and Wondrous heavenly tabernacle. That Holy
tabernacle, or tent, is the one which God Himself 'pitched,' and not the earthly
tabernacle which man 'pitched.' Jesus Christ is superior to Aaron because Jesus
serves in the real heavenly tabernacle and not the symbolic representative
teaching tabernacle on earth, where Aaron ministered.
(8:3)
For
every high priest
is appointed
to offer both gifts and sacrifices;
so it is necessary that
this high priest
also
have something to offer.
Since every high priest is
specifically appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices (to provide payment in
order to satisfy God for unrighteousness) under the Old Covenant, then under a
New Covenant the High Priest must have a better gift and sacrifice.
(8:3)
For
every high priest
is appointed
to offer both gifts and sacrifices;
so it is necessary that
this high priest
also
have something to offer.
Jesus is a better High Priest
because He is the Son of God. Jesus offers a better gift because as the Son of
God He offers Himself as that gift (gifts were for the purpose of demonstrating
one's love of God). Jesus brought a better sacrifice because as the Son of God
He delivered His death and blood sacrifice into the Holy of Holies and sat down
(it is finished) upon the Throne of Mercy at the right hand of His heavenly
Father.
(8:4)
Now
If
He were on earth,
He would not be a
priest at all,
since there are those
who offer the gifts
according to the Law;
There's a number of things
packed into this verse. First, is the fact that the priesthood of the Son of God
(post resurrection and ascension) takes place in heaven and not on earth.
(8:4)
Now
If
He were on earth,
He would not be a priest at all,
since there are those
who offer the gifts
according to the Law;
Second, If Jesus' priesthood
ministry was on earth ' He could not be a priest at all. Under the first
covenant, remembering that Hebrews was written before the destruction of
Jerusalem and the Temple, the Levitical law and priesthood was still
functioning. It is only after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70
A.D. did priestly service, under the law, end. Jesus was born as a member of the
tribe of Judah ' He did not qualify for the priesthood, under the law, as He was
not a descendant of Aaron. He could not have served as a priest.
(8:5)
Who
Serve
a copy and shadow
of the heavenly things,
just as Moses was warned
by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle;
for,
'SEE,' He says,
'THAT YOU MAKE all things
ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.'
So those who served under the
law (the first covenant) ' taking the verse backwards...
Moses, on Mt. Sinai, met with
God. God showed Moses many things, much of what God showed him had to do with
reproducing what he saw in God's reality... back here on earth. God was
insistent that Moses was in charge of making sure that what was made on earth
was representative of that which existed, in reality, in God's heaven. Moses
only had the materials that a nomadic people would have access while wandering
in the wilderness.
Therefore, it would be difficult to imagine the
splendor of what Moses saw versus the earthly finished product. Even in the time
of Solomon and Herod and their versions of the Tabernacle (Temple) with all
their splendor... their versions would still only be a sample of what they could
imagine Moses witnessed in the presence of God on Mt. Sinai.
Moses was warned by God...
'See... that you make all things according to what was shown to you on the
mountain.'
holy-city...
This slide as an artist's representation of The Holy
City of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven for the Millennium. Here in this
heavenly city is where the true tabernacle/temple of God exists. And it should
be also remembered that even this temple is a memorial to what God has done
through His Son Jesus ' on the Cross. The temple is a picture of Him. This
tabernacle in Heaven is where God showed Moses the heavenly things... It is
where the Messiah, The Son of God, Jesus became the Great High Priest and
ministers on behalf of all believers.
(8:6)
But now
He has obtained
a more excellent ministry,
by as much as He is also
the mediator of
a better covenant,
which has been enacted on better promises.
BUT NOW...
Ministering there in God's presence in heaven is only
part of 'His more excellent ministry' which He obtained through His better Gift
and Sacrifice. He alone has now become the Mediator, between God and Man, Man
and God, of a Better Covenant, a New Covenant.
Back to Jeremiah 31... Here
are the 8 major points made in the New Covenant.
THE NEW COVENANT
1 ' Not a covenant to bring Israel out of the slavery
of Egypt
2 ' It is a
covenant which reunited the nations of Israel and Judah (for the first time
since their split about 931 B.C.
3 ' God will put His Law in their hearts (they
absolutely won't break it ' forever)
4 ' God will make Himself their God (they will
absolutely have this forever)
5 ' God will make Israel His people (He will
absolutely have them forever)
6 ' There will be no need to evangelize each other '
(They will absolutely all know God)
7 ' God will forgive their past iniquities absolutely
8 ' God will forget their past sin/sins absolutely
The New Covenant is the 'Last
Will and Testament' of the Son of God. It became Valid and Operational upon His
death on the Cross. This is what He established in the learning phase of the
Nation of Israel ' The Old Covenant ' a binding conditional agreement that was
unilateral, God said... and that settled it. It was conditional in the God would
bless Israel if they behaved themselves ' He would discipline them if they did
not. Israel's place in the covenant was to be His people.
The New Covenant, is a binding
un-conditional agreement that is unilateral, God said... and that settled it. It
was un-conditional in that God would bless Israel ' at a future time '
unconditionally. He would do so on the basis of the Sacrificial Death of His Son
for the payment of the debt caused by sin and sins of His people.
We have mentioned before and
will say again, that
Those saved in the Church Age have a special relationship to Jesus Christ as His
Bride, but not under the Old Covenant. We are forerunners of and participate in
the New Covenant by being Adopted by God as brothers and sisters of His Son,
Jesus, and therefore grafted into God's family.
(8:7)
For
If
that first covenant had been faultless,
there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
In our discussions we're using
three terms that are equal. First there is Covenant ' an agreement; Testament '
typically a document (sometimes figurative) concerning agreed upon issues; a
Will ' specifically a document (again sometimes figurative) that contains
information concerning the passing of an estate upon death. In the study of
Hebrews these three terms come together for proper understanding of the first
agreement God made with the Nation of Israel
The First Testament (Covenant)
dealt with Israel as a minor (someone under adult age) ' she was put under laws
and regulations. If they behaved themselves, they were rewarded; if not they
were punished. In order to learn they were taught simple object lessons (like a
child). The tabernacle, the priesthood, gifts, offerings, vestments of the High
Priest, etc., were those object lessons. Physical things that all pointed to
true realities and relationships to heaven and eternity.
The believer in Israel was
declared righteous and regenerated. The Holy Spirit visited but did not
indwelling each believer. The Indwelling of the believer is a promise in the New
Covenant and included in the benefits of true belief in the Church age. The
believer in Israel was considered in their position as a 'child' [Gk Tekna].
(We'll see this again in verse 9 when we get there.) Based upon their belief and
obedience to God's progressive revelation.
The elements of the New
Covenant are passed to Church Age believers as 'Adopted Adult Sons' and we are
declared righteous and regenerated (with the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit)
but considered (both male and female, adult and child, as an Adult Son in our
position before God [Gk hUios]. This position of Adult Son is an important
distinction between the Old and New Covenants. In the ancient Hebrew culture
being an adult son in the family gave you full adult rights and standing. The
passing of responsibilities and the inheritance of properties were the main
benefits of being an adult son. As a male child... you were basically chattel.
Decisions and property rights were not part of your package. But... when a young
man became an Adult Son... everything changed. So that's the position that every
believer comes into when they are born again in Christ. And... it doesn't make
any difference whether you are male or female in the body of Christ... you gain
the position of Adult Son and become the beneficiary of the Inheritance of
Christ... made possible by the New Covenant, or New Will, upon His death on the
Cross.
That promise was made to the nation of Israel in the
New Covenant. When it was made the Hebrew people were divided by civil war. 10
Northern Hebrew tribes retained the name 'Israel.' After the 400 years of
captivity the Northern tribe of Israel re-settled in the area known as Samaria.
Two Southern tribes, Judah and
Benjamin (who were both generally called Judah) resettled in the area known as
Judah. The Northern tribes went into captivity first because of their idolatry.
The Southern tribes went into captivity last because of their turning their
hearts away from God, but they had stayed faithful, at least in part, the
longest. The Southern tribes returned to the One God worship when they
resettled. Many had kept their Hebrew faith in the One God through the ministry
of the prophets. One of the important features of the New Covenant is the
reunion of the two nations back into one. ' More on that as we continue our
study.
As an aside study you may wish to consider Romans
Chapter 11 where it speaks of God's central core, or root, of righteousness and
the nature of those who participate in it. Those who are in it, those who are
broken off, and those who are grafted in... or grafted back into it.
God has never made a covenant
with a gentile people or nation. The first 'Covenant' made with Israel began
with Genesis 3:21 and ends with the Cross. The New Covenant began with the Cross
and its promises are eternal.
In case you may feel left-out
in this arrangement, consider Melchizedek a non-Hebrew, in fact ' living before
there were any Hebrews. In Hebrew terms, a gentile; a member of the world's
nations. And there in Jebu-Salem was there not only this High Priest of God...
but a priesthood in place that would provide mediation between man and God, God
and man. The plan from the beginning was to include all the world as the source
for born-again humans that would become the brothers and sisters of The Son of
God. The Jew first, because of the covenant that God made with Abraham, based on
his willingness to sacrifice his own son, then the whole world.
Well, that concludes this part
of Chapter eight. Part 2 of our study will pick up with verses 8- the end of the
chapter ' focusing upon our study of the New Covenant.
Thank you for joining us for
this lesson from the book of Hebrews Chapter eight. We hope that you have
enjoyed this time together and that you have learned much, but mostly that you
have a greater understanding of the Old Testament relationship to the New
Testament. The New is built on the Old.
If you're interested in the rest of the series...
here's the link to our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoFromJimmy
PART TWO
Before we jump into verse 8,
lets get an overview of The OT verses concerning the New Covenant that we'll be
looking at. While we're looking at these verses we'll be somewhat general in our
discussion. We'll save our in depth commentary for when we return to our verses
in Hebrews.
Jeremiah 1:1 ' Introduction to a change
31 'At that time,' declares the LORD, 'I will be
the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.'
The prophet Jeremiah writes
about 625 years before Christ at the time when the nation of Babylon has come
into power in the middle east ' replacing the ancient nation of Assyria. He's
writing to the remaining nation of Judah after the Assyrians captured and
dispersed the nation of Israel into the Assyrian empire as slaves and servants.
God tells Jeremiah that a time was coming ' in the future ' when 'At that time'
all the families of a reunited nation of Israel (Israel and Judah) will return
to the Lord and become His people ' all of them.
That's a pretty amazing
prophecy that says that all of the Hebrew people alive at that time will be born
again believers. That may seem like a stretch from this single verse, but the
verses that follow will confirm that meaning.
Jeremiah 31:27-30 '
Setting the Stage for change ' Tribulation
27 'Behold, days are
coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will sow the house of Israel and the house
of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. 28 As I have watched
over them to pluck up, to break down, to overthrow, to destroy and to bring
disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,' declares the LORD.
However... right away we are introduced to a
situation where the Lord declares that there will be 'Days coming' with two
different situations. First there will be a time of 'plucking up, breaking down,
overthrowing, destruction and disaster.' The Lord places this period in the past
and without getting theologically technical we'll just say that this represents
the end days of the Old Covenant times.
Then second, He says that in the same manner of
watching over them (Israel) He would then do so in a time of 'building and
planting.' Let's assign that as the New Covenant times.
29 'In those days they will not say again,
'The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
And the children's teeth are set on edge.'
30 But everyone will die for his own
iniquity; each man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge.
Jeremiah continues to report the Lord's words, 'In
those days,' in the New Covenant times, all of the 'sour grapes' of the Old
Covenant times will never again be spoken of ' or simply, 'No more sour grapes'
in the New Covenant times.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 ' The New Covenant revealed
' Millennial Kingdom ' Reunification of Israel and Judah/Benjamin.
31 'Behold, days
are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will make a new covenant with the house
of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made
with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the
land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,'
declares the LORD. 33 'But this is the covenant which I will make with the house
of Israel after those days,' declares the LORD, 'I will put My law within them
and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be
My people. 34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his
brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of
them to the greatest of them,' declares the LORD, 'for I will forgive their
iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.'
You may have already
noticed that each division of paragraphs has begun with a TIME COMMENT: 'At
that time, Behold, Days are coming, In Those Days, and again Behold, days are
coming. A dear Christian Statesman used to say to me... When God says
something once, you better listen, When He says something twice, you better
listen well... but here, when He says something multiple times... well, I'll
leave that for you.
'Behold, days are coming, when I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel and with the House of Judah.' If this
happens soon it will mean the reunification of these two nations that have now
been divided nearly 3,000 years. The Lord promises to put His law (not the
Levitical law) in them and on their hearts. Meaning they will be transformed and
God's will will be their full desire. Their wayward hearts will be transformed,
and unlike the old Israel, the Lord will be their God. This is a good place to
remind us that The Lord... Creator God... is The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of
God.
Then He says that all those around them (brothers,
sisters, neighbors) will all be transformed as well ' no need to teach them. All
their sin and sins will be forgiven and forgotten. Currently in our age, the
Church age, believers are the foretaste and forerunners of these blessings that
Israel will know in 'The Days that are coming.' Biblical believers in Jesus the
Christ already are recipients of changed hearts. Within the community of
Biblical believers there is no need to preach the gospel to get them saved. We
are the early recipients of what the Nation of Israel has been promised for, 'In
that day.'
Jeremiah 31:38-40 ' The New Jerusalem '
Israel's Eternal Capital City on Earth.
38 'Behold, days are coming,' declares the LORD,
'when the city will be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the
Corner Gate. 39 The measuring line will go out farther straight ahead to the
hill Gareb; then it will turn to Goah. 40 And the whole valley of the dead
bodies and of the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the
corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be holy to the LORD; it will not
be plucked up or overthrown anymore forever.'
God's revelation to
Jeremiah was showing that the Levitical system was in character a 'Will,
Testament, Covenant' which was recognized as imperfect and transitory ' by an
Old Testament Prophet. This demonstrated to the Jews who were the object of the
author's writing that the New Covenant was prophesied in the Old Testament. To
deny this revelation would force them to say that the Old Testament was not
valid ' which they would not do ' thus forcing them to recognize the validity of
the tenants of the Christian Faith (Faith through belief, righteousness through
faith, indwelling of the Holy Spirit as evidence of Faith, etc.).
Now back to the book of
Hebrews as it continues reporting from Jeremiah.
(8:8)
For
finding fault with them,
He says,
'BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD,
WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT
WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND
WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
I'll quote here from
Kenneth Wuest, 'The word them refers to the people of Israel during the first
covenant... there is a subtle delicacy of language in the... shifting fault from
the covenant to the people of Israel.' While the covenant failed at binding the
people to God, the true cause of this failure lay in the character of the
people, not in the law, which was holy, righteous, and good. In God's timetable
it was then time for a new covenant a 'final will' if you please.
(8:9)
NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR
FATHERS
ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND
TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT;
FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE
IN MY COVENANT, AND
I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.
Pay close attention to the
words of the text. We already mentioned that under the old covenant the people
of the nation were treated as children. God 'took them by the hand' and lead
them out of Egypt. Once free from Egypt the people walked away from God ' and
under the terms of the Old Covenant... they were continually disciplined. We
read that the Lord said, 'I did not care for them.' Some of you can relate to
Him in this situation. Some of you have had, or may still have, problems with a
stiff willed child. Sometime that can go on for years ' even on into adulthood.
Sometime there comes the parting of the ways, and in a manner of speaking, 'I
did not care for them.' But, deep down inside you have never stopped loving that
child... or adult. So it is with God. He is love, but He did not care for them
in their unfaithfulness.
THE NEW COVENANT
1 ' Not a covenant to bring Israel out of the slavery
of Egypt
2 ' It is a
covenant which reunited the nations of Israel and Judah (for the first time
since their split about 931 B.C.
3 ' God will put His Law in their hearts (they
absolutely won't break it ' forever)
4 ' God will make Himself their God (they will
absolutely have this forever)
5 ' God will make Israel His people (He will
absolutely have them forever)
6 ' There will be no need to evangelize each other '
(They will absolutely all know God)
7 ' God will forgive their past iniquities absolutely
8 ' God will forget their past sin/sins absolutely
(8:10)
'FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH
THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS
THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS
INTO THEIR MINDS, AND
I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND
I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND
THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
(8:11)
'AND
THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND
EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,'
FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME,
FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.
(8:12)
'FOR
I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND
I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.'
(8:13)
When
He said,
'A new covenant,'
He has made the first obsolete.
But whatever is
becoming obsolete and
growing old
is ready to disappear.
As we read this last verse it
is important to remember that God has revealed that this plan has been in place
since before creation and time itself. The various transitions throughout
Biblical history are telling the story of how God created mankind and worked
through history in order to call out some human beings out of all who would
willingly love and commit their hearts to Him, and Him alone. In His plan He has
used the family of a man named Abraham to tell the story of the need for, and
the coming of a savior who, if believed upon, would provide a new life as
adopted members of the family of God and live with, and serve Him forever.
This New Covenant was not a
surprise to God. It was in the plan from the beginning.
As we move from chapter 8 to
chapter nine, we continue exploring this New Covenant, its attributes and the
Great High Priest who administers it, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for joining us for
this lesson from the book of Hebrews Chapter eight. We hope that you have
enjoyed this time together and that you have learned much, but mostly that you
have a greater understanding of the Old Testament relationship to the New
Testament. The New is built on the Old.
If you're interested in the rest of the series...
here's the link to our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoFromJimmy
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The Video Commentary |
2013-10-16
2020-08-14