A NEW COVENANT--HEBREWS 8:1-13

A NEW COVENANT

HEBREWS 8:1-13

Introduction:

We have seen the word “better” appear several times in the study of the book of Hebrews. It is definitely the “key word” of the book. In this message we see the NEW COVENANT as the Apostle Paul describes it.

This new covenant comes at a particular time in the history of Israel. Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” The new covenant comes when it suited the God of Heaven and not the whims of man.

Let us look at the time of this new covenant and what is included in it.

I. A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY

A. He is the Mediator of a better covenant, v. 6,” But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

B. ESTABLISHED UPON BETTER PROMISES, vs. 6-8.

1. If that first covenant had been faultless, v. 7, “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

2. For finding fault with them, he saith… v. 8, “For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:”

a. I will make a new covenant, Isaiah 59:20-21, “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. 21-As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.”

b. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers… because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord, v. 9.

IV. THE NEW COVENANT ESTABLISHED “AFTER THOSE DAYS.”

A. After the days of Israel’s rebellion…

1. In the desert, v. 9, “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.”

2. After every strong leader (Judges), Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

3. After the Prophets were sent, Jeremiah 1:16, “And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.”

B. The New Covenant, Jeremiah 31:33-34, “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34-And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

1. I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:

2. I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

a. For all shall know Him, from the least to the greatest, v. 11, “And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.”

b. “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more,” v. 12.

CONCLUSION

During the millenium period the Word of God will be taught and every man will know of the Lord. Whether they will received Him as Savior is another question. Many probably will, and yet the Scriptures imply that not all will have an open mind and heart to receive Jesus as Savior.