Coachlight Bible Study – Hebrews Chapter 8

The Superior New Ministry

 

The book of Hebrews begins in the first three chapters, demonstrating the superiority of Christ, because of who He is.  Chapters four through ten, show Christ’s superiority because of His work. We studied about Christ’s work as our High Priest in chapters four through seven, and in chapter eight, we will learn about His new Covenant.  The new Covenant makes the old conditional Covenant, made with Moses, old and vanish away.  We find that this New Covenant has been in the plan of God since the beginning, and is really not “new” but rather an extension of the unconditional Covenant made with Abraham, and we will see its final fulfillment during the millennium.

Just as the Hebrews were susceptible to returning back to the religious practices of Judaism, so are Christians today are exhorted, as we are told in chapter three: “To hold fast the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”  We are not to return to our old religious ways, but to keep the vision of Christ’s return, (Hebrews 10:35-39) and, like Abraham, looking for that city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)

 

I. The Main Idea

 

Hebrews 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;

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

Hebrews 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.

Hebrews 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:

 

A. Christ is at the right hand of the Father in heaven

1. Christ is our High Priest in this dispensation

2. Christ is in the true tabernacle

a. The heavenly tabernacle

b. The Lord built this tabernacle – Not man

B. Every priest offers gifts and sacrifices

1. Earthly priests made animal sacrifices

2. Christ’s sacrifice not mentioned here, but between two statements

a. Christ offered up Himself

 

Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.


b. Eternal redemption is by His blood

 

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

II. Levitical Priesthood Only A Type Of The True High Priest

 

Hebrews 8:5  Who serve unto the example<5262> and shadow<4639> 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<5179> shewed to thee in the mount.

 

5262 upodeigma hupodeigma hoop-od’-igue-mah  from 5263; TDNT-2:32,141; n n

AV-example 4, pattern 1, ensample 1; 6

1) a sign suggestive of anything, delineation of a thing, representation, figure, copy

2) an example: for imitation

2a) of the thing to be imitated

2b) for a warning, of a thing to be shunned

4639 skia skia skee’-ah  apparently a primary word; TDNT-7:394,1044; shadow 7; 7

 

1) shadow

1a) shade caused by the interception of light

1b) an image cast by an object and representing the form of that object

1c) a sketch, outline, adumbration

 

5179 tupov tupos too’-pos from 5180; TDNT-8:246,1193; n m

ensample 5, print 2, figure 2, example 2, pattern 2, fashion 1, manner 1, form 1; 16

1) the mark of a stroke or blow, print

2) a figure formed by a blow or impression

2a) of a figure or image

2b) of the image of the gods

 

A. The blueprint for the tabernacle given to Moses

1. Was a figure of the true tabernacle in heaven

2. The heavenly tabernacle cast a shadow - visible in the tabernacle built by Moses

 

B. The blueprint of the Levitical priesthood

1. Was a figure of the Melchisedec Priesthood in God’s mind

2. The Melchisedec Priesthood cast a shadow – visible in the earthly priesthood

 

C. The Mosaic tabernacle and priesthood, then, was a type of the true tabernacle and High Priest


 

Synonyms Explaining Types Of The Tabernacle And Priesthood

Synonym

Levitical Priesthood

Melchisedec Priesthood

Example –

<5262> upodeigma

hupodeigma

An Imitation of the real.  Implied is that it is a copy or model of the heavenly.  Used again showing the relationship of the tabernacle furniture to the heavenly (Hebrews 9:23)

The real thing.

Shadow - 4639 skia

skia

Since a shadow requires the existence of the real thing from the beginning.   Since a shadow adds depth and perspective to the real, so the ritual of the Levitical priesthood was a shadow, but Christ is reality.

(Colossians 2:16-17)

Existed in God’s mind from the beginning

Pattern - <5179> tupov tupos

These types are revealed in the Old Testament before their antitypes appear in the New Testament.  The antitype existed from the beginning, however.

The heavenly provides the stamp or imprint from which the earthly came.

 

III. The True Ministry Has A Better Covenant

 

Hebrews 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.

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

Hebrews 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:

Hebrews 8:9 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.

Hebrews 8:10  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:

Hebrews 8:11 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.

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.


A. The Law could not make a person “perfect” – Point made in chapter 7

 

Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,)what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

 

B. The Law could not justify

 

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

C. The Law could not sanctify

 

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. {allow: Gr. know}

Romans 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

 

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.


Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

D. The Law did not fail – It was not designed to save

 

1. It was designed to reveal sin

 

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. {guilty…: or, subject to the judgment of God}

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

 

2. It was designed to make men aware of sin and condemnation

 

Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

 

3. It was designed to show the nature of sin

 

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. {lust: or, concupiscence}

Romans 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

 

4. It was designed to show the extent of sin

 

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:


5. It was designed to restrain sin

 

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

 

I Timothy 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

I Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

 

E. Because the people didn’t obey – Not the Law – A New Covenant

 

1. Verses 8-12 quote Jeremiah 31:31-34

2. Established with the house of Israel and the house of Judah

3. The New Covenant not written on stone as Mosaic covenant

 

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Ezekiel 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

 

II Corinthians 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. {giveth life: or, quickeneth}

II Corinthians 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:

II Corinthians 3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

II Corinthians 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

II Corinthians 3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

II Corinthians 3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

II Corinthians 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: {plainness: or, boldness}


II Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

II Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

II Corinthians 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

II Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

II Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. {by the…: or, of the Lord the Spirit}

II Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

II Corinthians 4:2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. {dishonesty: Gr. shame}

 

IV. The New Covenant replaces the old

Hebrews 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.

 

A. The New Covenant replaces the Old Mosaic Covenant

B. The New Covenant is an extension of the Abrahamic Covenant


 

Relationships of The Eternal Covenants of God with Israel

Basic Covenant with Abraham

The Other Covenants

Promise of A National Land (Land)

Genesis 12:1; 13:14-15 & 17

Palestinian Covenant – gave Israel assurance of final, permanent restoration to the land forever

Deuteronomy 30:3-5;

Ezekiel 20:33-37, 42-44

Promise of Numerous Descendants – A Great Nation – (Seed)

Genesis 12:3; 13:16;17:2-6

Davidic Covenant – Dynasty, Nation, Throne forever

II Samuel 7:11, 13, 16

Jeremiah 33:20 & 21; 31:35-37

Promise of Redemption National and Universal – (Blessing)

Genesis 12:3; 22:18 & 3:16

New CovenantIsrael’s Spiritual Blessing and Redemption forever

Jeremiah 31:31-40; Hebrews 8:6-13

Christ and the Gentiles – Based not on birth but rather rebirth

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. {accounted: or, imputed}

Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.