11/15 Hebrews 8:13

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.

The author of Hebrews quoted Jeremiah the prophet's prediction of a New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Jeremiah foretold that it would be different from the Old Covenant that the Jews did not keep. This New Covenant would be written in their hearts. The author of Hebrews quoted this to remind the people that the concept of a New Covenant ushered in by Jesus was not a new idea but was in keeping with the predictions of the prophets.

If those prophets predicted a new covenant, it would supersede the old one and make it obsolete. The author of Hebrews then made a prediction of his own. He said the old was ready to vanish. When he wrote the letter, the temple practices were still in operation. The priests were still offering sacrifices, but a short time later the temple was destroyed by the Romans. Sacrifice according to the Old Covenant has not taken place since that time. This confirms that what Jeremiah was teaching about the new replacing the old is correct.

We no longer come to God by sacrifices in one special location. Jesus has given Himself, the only sacrifice for sins acceptable to God. He fulfilled the Old Covenant for us. Now we can come to God through Him wherever and whenever we choose. The teaching of the Old Testament is still full of rich truths that we should study, but the system of worship through sacrifice by the Levitical priesthood is obsolete.

Consider: People have always come to God by faith. The Old Covenant saints looked forward to Jesus through the sacrifices. The Old Covenant was a picture of what was to come. When the New came, God sovereignly allowed the Old to be destroyed. Are you enjoying the privilege the New Covenant affords by coming to God through Jesus every day?