THEMES
Overarching Theme: Standing firm in the realities of a better covenant
Chapter Eight Theme: Defining the essence of God’s new covenant
BACKGROUND
This chapter marks a huge transition point in human history – the moving from the old covenant to the new. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied a new covenant at the time of the restoration after the Babylonian exile, and in the upper room Jesus linked its arrival with the giving of his body and the shedding of his blood.
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Make sure you watch the video covering Hebrews 8 and have a Bible ready in front of you.
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Verses 1-6
The writer tells us the main point of what is coming in this chapter (and in the next) is that we have a high priest who serves in the true tabernacle which God has raised up in heaven. He then writes of the earthly copy where earthly high priests serve, saying that the ministry of Jesus is greater than theirs as he is the mediator of a superior covenant.
Question
It is just about possible that priests were still serving in the Jerusalem Temple at the time this was written (Jerusalem fell in AD 70). If that were the case, what contrasts could the readers draw between an earthly priestly role and a heavenly one?
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Verses 7-9
These verses quote Jeremiah 31:31-32 from the Septuagint version (a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures in use at the time Hebrews was written). It is introduced by explaining that the fault with the first covenant (established through Moses) was that people did not remain faithful to it. Obviously it requires more than taking people ‘by the hand to lead them out of Egypt’ to make them covenant-keepers.
Question
Why do you think the writer of Hebrews says that people’s failure to keep the old covenant implies a fault with the covenant itself?
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Verses 10-12
These verses quote Jeremiah 31:33-34 which spell out the benefits of the new covenant over the old as follows: the law being written in our minds and on our hearts; a close relationship being possible with God who now becomes knowable by all, regardless of a people’s status; a forgiveness that is accompanied by a gracious forgetfulness.
Question
Why is having the law in our minds on our hearts better than just having them on stones in the Ark behind the veil in the tabernacle or temple?
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Verse 13
It is a big thing to say that the old covenant is obsolete and outdated but not only were the believing Jews living under a new covenant but the new covenant was able to bring Gentiles into direct relationship with God. Emphasising the transient nature of the old covenant would have focussed the minds of wavering Jewish believers.
Question
As we are studying this, can you think of reasons why it is helpful for Gentile believers to know the details and history of the old covenant?
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
This chapter introduces us to the words of Jeremiah that Jesus had in mind in the upper room. Studying them helps us have a better understanding of the new covenant that we have been brought into.
PRAYER & REFLECTION
As I read verse 13 of this chapter I think of all those Jewish people, well-versed in the old covenant, who are still looking for the new era that they believe God still has in store. Let’s pray that our own testimony will commend Jesus, and not unthinkingly condemn those who are yet to know him. Ephesians 2:11-22 can guide us.
Father God,
We who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
We were foreigners to the covenants of promise,
without hope and without God in the world.
But now we know him who is our peace, who has made two groups one,
destroying the barrier and dividing wall of hostility.
He set aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.
So we turn to the cross that reconciles us to you and others, and ask that once again
we may preach peace to those who are far away and those who are near.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen