The faulty old covenant

 

The faulty old covenant

There is absolutely no ambiguity as to why the old covenant was faulty because the scriptures states clearly; “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah “(Hebrews 8:7-8)

The fault of the old covenant was not restricted only to the people who could not keep their part of the covenant since whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. But the fault existed also in:

a.        The earthly tabernacle which was faulty since the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands and the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing (Acts 7:48;17:2;Hebrews 8:11; 9:8).

2. Animal sacrifices: For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1-4).
3. The Levitical Priesthood who were not permanent and were prevented by death from continuing and needed daily to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the  people. The law appointed as high priests men who have weakness (Hebrews 7:23, 27, 28).

What transpired is that, on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and un-profitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:18-19)

This is therefore not an abolition of the protocol by which we draw near to God but rather a reformation because the old covenant was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience ---concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:8-10).

But with the new covenant, “Jesus Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:11-14).

What is also very important to note is that although Jesus Christ offered Himself once and for all He nevertheless left us His flesh and blood in the form of the bread and wine which He as every High Priest has to offer on our behalf as we have been duly admonished saying; “For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer” (Hebrews 5:1; 8:3).

I therefore beg to ask the question again, are we offering to the Lord the food for His offerings at the appointed time or, have we received the grace of God's forgiving mercies in vain?

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To be continued 

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph