Hebrews 8

Chapter 7 has concluded the priesthood of Christ is superior than any earthly priesthood held by the Levites.  Chapter 8 begins with the final arguments that seek to prove Christ superior work to anything seen in the Levitical system.  First, Jesus place of priestly work is not on the earth as the Levites (v2).  But rather the earthly tabernacle constructed by human hands is merely a copy of the real thing which resides in heaven where Jesus now acts as High Priest (v5).  There He offers superior sacrifices for believers who want access to God.

Therefore, the ministry Jesus possess is far more superior than that of the old priesthood.  This “new” covenant He mediates offers better promises which makes it a better covenant (v6). There was a fault with the old covenant in that it could not ultimately reconcile men to God.  The author of Hebrews is not merely voicing an opinion, but quotes Old Testament prophecy to support what he is saying (v8-12).

Verses 8-12 comes from Jeremiah 31:31-34 which famously predicts the coming of a new covenant.  In this passage God says through Jeremiah the new will not be like the old, it will be better.  God will instill His laws in their minds and hearts and God will be reconciled with His people.  People will not need teachers to know the Lord for they will know Him by nature, and their sins will be removed completely from record.

The author of Hebrews then adds a summary statement of his arguments and use of this passage by saying the “new” covenant makes the “old” obsolete.  It is “old” because something better has appeared.  The new has not come without being attested by the old and by God. It is time for Jews still holding on to the old to obey God and embrace the better that is mediated through Jesus Christ.

For modern day Christians however, this argument prevents many cults from having any legitimacy. For the covenant mediated through Christ will always be superior in that it does make men perfect and complete.  If one is made perfect, then why would anyone logically go looking for anything else?  If the revelation of Jesus Christ is perfect and final, how then do cults think to persuade people they need more than what Christ as already provided?  Let the reader understand and beware of “another covenant” which neither the old nor the new attests.