Key Text: Hebrews 8:6-10
I. What is a covenant?
A covenant is an agreement between two or more persons. A testament. A solemn pledge or promise based on conditions.
II. "First," or "old," covenant. Heb. 8:13, 7.
1. Agreement between God and His people Israel. Ex. 19:3-8.
2. Made in connection with giving of law. Ex. 24:3; Deut. 9:10, 11.
3. God's part of the agreement. Ex. 19: 5, 6.
4. Israel's part of the agreement: "We will do." Ex. 19:7,8.
5. Israel's covenant was repeated, and confirmed or ratified by blood. Ex. 24:3, 4, 7, 8.
6. God's part of the contract kept. Eze. 20:11,12.
7. Israel's part of the agreement broken. Verse 13; Ex. 32:7, 8.
8. Old covenant built on Israel's faulty promises. Rev. 9:6-8
9. Broken tables symbolized Israel's broken promises. Ex. 32:19.
III. "Second," or "new," covenant. Heb. 8:13,7.
1. God's true Israel. Gal. 3:16, 26-29; Rom. 29; Gal. t:6; Col. 2:11.
2. God again covenants with Israel. Heb. 8:9, 10; Jer. 31:31-33.
3. New Covenant again based on God's law. Heb. 8:9-10; (Ps. 40:8).
4. New Covenant built on "better promises" than old. Heb. 8:6.
5. Built an God's promises, not the people's. Jer. 31:33.
6. God promises to write His law in mind and heart. Heb. 9:10.
7. Renewed tables of the law a type of the new covenant. Ex. 34:1, 4. Moses, representing the people, provided second tables a type of the people giving their hearts to God so He may write His law in their hearts.
8. Allegory of New Jerusalem to teach lesson of new covenant. Gal. 4: 22-26; (Gen. 15:8-17; Heb. 6:13-20).
9. New covenant formally made at Lord's supper. Matt 26:26-28.
10. Confirmed, or ratified, by Christ's blood. Heb. 9:14,15.
11. Cannot be changed after Christ's death. Heb. 9:16,17; Ps. 111:9.
IV. Similarities between the two covenants.
1. Both are called covenants.
2. Both are ratified with blood.
3. Both were made concerning law of God.
4. Both were made with the people.
5. Both were established upon promises.
The Old Covenan
If
If you
If you will
If you will do all
If you will do all, then
you shall be My people,
and I will be your God,
The New Covenant
I
I will
I will do
I will do all
I will do all, and will
be your God, and you
shall be my people.
Lourdes Contessoto writes from Portugal.
