The new covenant
Today's reading Hebrews 8:7-13
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Today’s blog
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Hebrews 8:10)
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Through the Old Testament covenant God revealed himself to the people of Israel and entered into an agreement with them, that he would be their God and in return they would obey his laws (Exod 24:3). But their failure to do so meant that a new covenant was needed (8). This had been prophesied by Jeremiah and it’s that prophecy which is quoted here (8-10; Jer.31:31-34).
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The new covenant “will not be like” the old one, which broke down because the people “did not remain faithful” (9). But the new covenant of Christ is “better” (7:22) because it is written not on tablets of stone but on the “minds” and “hearts” of God’s people (10; 2 Cor.3:3). That results in two particular and immense blessings: “they will all know me” (11) and “I will remember their sins no more” (12).
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It’s remarkable to think that we can know God but this, said Jesus, is the meaning of eternal life (Jn.17:3). And that life is given already to everyone who believes in him (Jn.3:16; 5:24) – “they will all know me”. No longer is access to God restricted to a spiritually-privileged priesthood. That’s only possible through “the blood of Christ” for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (9:14,22; Eph.1:7). Sin hinders our knowledge of God but “if we confess our sins... he will forgive us” (1 Jn.1:9). So keep ‘short accounts’ – don’t delay that confession – in order that your fellowship with him is quickly restored and your knowledge of him continues to grow (2 Pet.3:18)
(To dig a bit deeper into Hebrews 8:7-13 click here for some commentary notes.)