Understanding Hebrews 8:13: Old and New Covenants

Hebrews 8:13

13 In that he says, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 8:13 beautifully explains that when a "new covenant" is spoken of, it intrinsically means that the "first" covenant has been made old, and that which is old and decaying is ready to vanish awaySOTC 35.1+4. This verse highlights a significant transition in God's dealings with humanity, emphasizing the superiority and permanence of the new arrangement.

The First (Old) Covenant

The first covenant, also referred to as the old covenant, was established at Mount Sinai with the house of Israel Hebrews 8:8-9SOTC 35.1+4. Its terms were primarily based on obedience to God's law, as exemplified by the Ten Commandments given on tables of stone Exodus 20:1-17+1BEST July 1, 1891, par. 6+5.

However, the people of Israel frequently broke this covenant, failing to continue in it, which is why God found fault with them Hebrews 8:8-9+1SOTC 35.1+6. This covenant, while glorious, was fundamentally conditional on human performance and did not contain clear promises of pardon through Christ, nor could it make people perfect in their conscience Hebrews 9:9-10TSPL 28.2+2. It had a worldly sanctuary with carnal ordinances and typical sacrifices that could not truly take away sins Hebrews 9:1-10+1S23D 69.1+4. The priesthood under this covenant was also subject to death and did not unite royalty with its functions Hebrews 7:23, 28ARSH March 20, 1856, page 193.9. Therefore, the "ministration of death," which referred to the service of the law engraved in stone, was to be done away with 2 Corinthians 3:7+2.

The New Covenant

The new covenant is established upon "better promises" Hebrews 8:6BEST July 1, 1891, par. 6+6. Its core promise is the forgiveness of sins and the writing of God's law, specifically the Ten Commandments, directly into the minds and hearts of His people Jeremiah 31:33-34+1BDOC 61.26+13. This signifies an internal transformation, enabling believers to walk in harmony with God's law through His grace Ephesians 2:10HLv 220.3+3.

Jesus Christ is the mediator of this new covenant, and it is through His blood and death that sins are remitted, even the transgressions that occurred under the first covenant Hebrews 9:15+2BEST July 1, 1891, par. 6+10. His priesthood is "more excellent" and unchangeable, performed in the true sanctuary in Heaven, which the Lord pitched, not man Hebrews 8:1-2+1S23D 69.1+7.

It is important to understand that the law itself is the basis of both covenantsBEST July 1, 1891, par. 6+1. The dissolution of the first covenant did not abrogate God's law; rather, the law continues to exist under the new covenant, sustaining an even more sacred relation to God's people Matthew 5:17-19+1SOTC 32.5+12. The new covenant's blessings include forgiveness, cleansing from sin, and the power to do God's will and keep His law Hebrews 8:10-12+2TDOC 90.1+1.

The Vanishing of the Old

The declaration in Hebrews 8:13 that the first covenant "is ready to vanish away," does not mean the abolition of God's moral law. Instead, it refers to the cessation of the administration of the old covenant, including its typical sacrifices and carnal ordinances, which were merely a "shadow of good things to come" Colossians 2:14, 17+1S23D 69.1+8. With Christ's death, these typical services were finished, and the way to the heavenly sanctuary was laid open Hebrews 9:8, 11-12S23D 69.1+1.

In essence, Hebrews 8:13 confirms that God has replaced an imperfect system, which the people repeatedly broke, with a perfect, spiritual covenant that provides true reconciliation, forgiveness, and the power to obey through Christ, fulfilling the prophecies of a new covenant made with Israel and Judah Jeremiah 31:31-34ARSH February 14, 1854, page 25.15+1.