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Bible Study/Commentary
Hebrews 8: In Speaking Of A "New Covenant," He Makes The "First Covenant" Obsolete
Hebrews Chapter 8 underscores the primary point of this letter, which is the superiority of Jesus Christ, and His ministry of the true tabernacle, which the Lord erected, and not man.
The author continues to compare the Old and New Covenants, illustrating the flaws in the Old Law and introducing the superiority of the New Covenant, which is mediated by Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary.
Bible Study/Commentary
Verses 1-6: Jesus, the High Priest of a Better Covenant
The author begins by stating that the main point of this letter, is that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, and He is a minister in the true tabernacle, set up by the Lord, not by man.
The author contrasts Jesus with earthly priests, who only serve as a copy and shadow, of the heavenly things.
Jesus' ministry is superior, because He is the mediator of a better covenant, enacted on better promises.
Verses 7-13: The New Covenant
In this section, the author emphasizes that the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant, by quoting from Jeremiah 31:31-34, in which Jeremiah prophesied the coming of a New Covenant.
The author points out that the first covenant was not faultless, and its people were unfaithful. God, in His eternal purpose, planned the New Covenant.
The New Covenant was different than the Old Covenant, as God's Laws would be written in the minds and hearts of His people, rather than on tablets of stone.
Overall Summary
Hebrews Chapter 8, centers around the superiority of Jesus' priesthood, and His mediation of a better covenant.
It emphasizes that Jesus' ministry, occurs in the true sanctuary in heaven, in contrast to the earthly sanctuary, of the Levitical priests.
By quoting the prophecy from Jeremiah, the author makes it clear that the Old Covenant was insufficient, necessitating a New Covenant.
The New Covenant, with better promises, is characterized by a change of man's hearts and minds, a personal relationship with God, and total forgiveness of sins.
This underscores the profound benefits, of Christ's redemptive work.
Hebrews 8
Jesus, High Priest of a Better Covenant
8 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
8 For he finds fault with them when he says:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”
13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Q&A
Hebrews 8:1-4
Q1: What is the author's point about the high priest, and how is Jesus different from earthly priests?
A1: The author emphasizes that they have such a high priest, Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. Jesus serves as a minister in the holy places, in the true tent set up by the Lord, not man. Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices, so Jesus, as a high priest, must have something to offer. If Jesus were on earth, he wouldn't be a priest, as there are already priests offering gifts according to the law.
Hebrews 8:5-7
Q2: How does the author describe the relationship between the earthly priests and the heavenly things, and why is Christ's ministry more excellent?
A2: The earthly priests serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. When Moses was about to erect the tent, God instructed him to make everything according to the pattern shown on the mountain. Christ's ministry is more excellent than the old because the covenant he mediates is better and enacted on better promises. If the first covenant were faultless, there would be no need for a second.
Hebrews 8:8-12
Q3: What fault does God find with the people, and what are the characteristics of the new covenant mentioned in verses 8-12?
A3: God finds fault with the people because they did not continue in His covenant made during the exodus from Egypt. The characteristics of the new covenant are:
It's not like the covenant with their fathers.
God will put His laws into their minds and write them on their hearts.
He will be their God, and they will be His people.
No one will need to teach another to know the Lord because everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know Him.
God will be merciful toward their iniquities, and He will remember their sins no more.
Hebrews 8:13
Q4: How does the author describe the relationship between the new covenant and the old, and what is the fate of the first covenant?
A4: The author declares that in speaking of a new covenant, the first one is made obsolete. The first covenant is becoming obsolete and growing old, ready to vanish away.