Hebrews 8:7-13

The Superiority of the New Covenant

Throughout the book of Hebrews, we see many statements emphasizing that the work of Jesus Christ is superior, perfect, accomplished, and complete. There is nothing else necessary for our salvation. The passage tonight introduces the covenant we live under, which we touched on last week.

We finished verses 1 through 6 last week, and now we pick up with verse 7.

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—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 did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” In that He says, “a new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

— Hebrews 8:7-13 (NKJV)

It's appropriate that we discussed personal possession of God, because the new covenant declares, "I will be their God, and they shall be My people." There's a beautiful relationship here.

A covenant is an agreement between two parties, bringing them into agreement and ceasing hostilities. God enables us to fulfill its requirements. He upholds the terms. Many things we hear in sermons—eternal life, faith—are covenant blessings. Covenants are made with people, making this personal.

The text lays out the superiority of the new covenant, especially for the author's audience: Jewish Christians facing persecution from fellow Jews to abandon Christianity and return to the old covenant. They endured public ridicule, seizure of property, and joyfully accepted it.

The old covenant was for ritual purity, restoring fellowship, but weak and useless for perfection—accomplished salvation (Hebrews 7:18; 10:3). It reminded of sin yearly, exposing need for the Messiah.

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

— Hebrews 8:6-7 (NKJV)

God found fault with the people under the first covenant; it couldn't make them faultless. The new covenant is faultless, powerful enough to cover even sins under the old covenant (Hebrews 9:15). Abandoning it for the old is leaving reality for a shadow.

Key Aspects of the New Covenant

1. A Gracious Covenant

This is an unconditional, gracious covenant communicating God's grace to undeserving sinners.

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.

— Hebrews 8:12 (NKJV)

Mercy withholds judgment we deserve; grace gives salvation we don't. The first covenant reminded of sin; this one of forgiveness. Scripture says none are righteous, none seek God, all are worthless apart from Christ (Romans 3:10-12). Adam, pinnacle of creation, fell into hiding. Grace changes that.

The author of Hebrews addresses stalled growth, urging doctrine for maturity. Knowledge of Christ ties to growth. Understanding the covenant aids perseverance amid trials, providing hope and assurance through God's promises. Are you a Christian without hope? Focus on the covenant: God remembers your sins no more. This hope is assurance of eternal reign with Christ, where trials pale.

Paul was content in weaknesses, knowing when weak, he was strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). God works all for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Christ promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Are you content?

2. A Trinitarian Covenant

The Father chooses, the Son redeems, the Holy Spirit seals.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world... In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses... In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

— Ephesians 1:3-5, 7, 13 (NKJV)

Chosen by the Father, purchased by the Son, sealed by the Spirit—to God's glory.

3. An Eternal Covenant

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant...

— Hebrews 13:20 (NKJV)

4. A Covenant of Christ's Lordship

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

— Hebrews 8:10 (NKJV)

Laws on hearts induce obedience to Christ, not shadows like Sabbath (Colossians 2). Grace instructs to deny ungodliness, live righteously (Titus 2:11-14). Obedience shows salvation's authenticity—love for brethren (Hebrews 6:9-10).

5. A Fully Realized Relationship with God

None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

— Hebrews 8:11 (NKJV)

All covenant members intimately know Yahweh—no mere acquaintance. This is personal relationship, demonstrated by deeds (Titus 1:16). True salvation dies to sin, pursues righteousness, radically changes life (2 Corinthians 5:17). "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). Does your life glorify God?