Understanding the Terms of the Old Covenant

The terms of the old covenant were centered on the principle of "Obey and live," requiring perfect and entire obedience to the law of God Ezekiel 20:11+1PP 372.1.

The Fundamental Requirement of Obedience

The old covenant was based on a system where life was promised only upon the condition of complete adherence to God's statutes and judgmentsPP 372.1. This standard has never changed; the conditions for gaining eternal life have always been based on perfect obedience8MR 31.1.

• The Promise of Life: If a person fulfilled the requirements of the law, they would find life in them Leviticus 18:5+1PP 372.1.

• The Penalty for Failure: There was a heavy consequence for disobedience, as the law stated that anyone who did not confirm and do all the words of the law was considered cursed Deuteronomy 27:26PP 372.1.

Limitations and Divine Law

Under this legal arrangement, there were many daring and presumptuous offenses for which the law specified no atonement8MR 31.1. The express requirements found in the Old Testament are not in opposition to later teachings but are in perfect agreement with the New TestamentPC 412.2. While the old covenant focused on the outward requirement of "Obey and live," it pointed to the necessity of a power that could enable man to meet such a high standardPP 372.1.

The Need for a New Covenant

Because the natural inclination of the soul resists the Spirit of God and opposes a change of heart, human effort alone could not meet the covenant's demandsPC 412.2. The old covenant demonstrated man's need for the "better promises" found in the new covenant, which include the forgiveness of sins and the grace of God to renew the heart Jeremiah 31:33-34PP 372.1. Only through the blood of Christ and the power given to those who receive Him can the perfect obedience required by the law be fulfilled John 1:128MR 31.1.