HEBREWS 8

Hebrews 8 and verse 1 reads.

Heb.8:1] Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Saying “This sums up what we are speaking about.” And we know, Jesus sits on the right hand of God, meaning Jesus is on his throne.

Heb.8:2] A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

This sanctuary is the many membered body of the church, and Jesus is the head. This true tabernacle is his office of Savior, he is in place. The Lord has done this and not man. This is said much better in Eph.1:19-23 and it reads.

Eph.1:19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Notice he mentions a third world to come.

Eph.1:22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
[23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

His body is the bread of our sacraments. And Christ is the head of the church. Back to Heb.8 and verse 3 reads.

Heb.8:3] For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

Jesus offered his blood on the cross for our sins.

Heb.8:4] For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

These priests could only offer gifts according to the law. Now, we know that Jesus’s blood on the cross did away with all blood ordinances. We do not offer blood any more, it would be sacrilege to do so. His blood being the wine of our sacraments.

Heb.8:5] Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

This word admonished gave me a long study leading me back to the manuscripts. Where we find that it reads, “divinely warned”. Meaning it should read; “as Moses has been warned”. In other words; “build it exactly as I told you to.”

Heb.8:6] 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.

The covenant was made with Abraham. That through his seed would come the Messiah, the Christ.

Heb.8:7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Speaking of the New Testament or second covenant. Let’s go to 2Cor.3:6-7 and it reads.

2Cor.3:6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

The law required blood, but Jesus gave his life for our sins, that we should have everlasting life.

2Cor.3:7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

Our Lord and Savior paid the price for our sins with his blood and was without sin. Let’s also go to the Old Testament and read Hosea 6:6.

Hos.6:6] For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Seems he never wanted burnt offerings but rather our love. Now for the next 5 verses we find in Jeremiah 31:31-34. We will read through Hebrews then read Jeremiah. Back to Heb.8 and verse 8 reads.

Heb.8:8] 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:
[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.
[10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
[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.
12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Now Jer.31:31-34 and it reads.

Jer.31:31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

This covenant is for those that believe his word, this includes both houses. Just notice that both houses are separate here.

Jer.31:32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Both houses broke the covenant with disbelief, and died in the wilderness.

Jer.31:33] 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.

The house of Judah is left out here. This is for the house of Israel only. Why? It is written, “after those days”. When? When Christ, the Messiah, would come, they would not receive him and therefore they crucified him. Thus, the circumcision is of the heart and the blood ordinance has been done away with.

Jer.31:34] 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.

Christ’s blood on the cross for remission of sins, that on repentance we are forgiven of our sins. Always good to go back and read when the LORD’s word gives us a second witness. This promise has been fulfilled by God and we are blessed for it. Back to Heb.8 and verse 13 reads.

Heb.8:13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Being old and decaying it vanishes a way because of unbelief, our new covenant is life everlasting. This is better said in 2Cor.5:17-19 and it reads.

2Cor.5:17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
[19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

To wit, a legal terminology, God was in Christ. Emmanuel, God with us. Praise the Lord and let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible