Again, the author in the beginning of Chapter Eight gives the summary for the first major argument in the book of Hebrews. That is that Jesus being a superior workman, has turned out a superior product. He has argued from the Old Testament and from logic that Jesus is a better mediator of a better covenant than the principles involved in the old. In verse 7 of this chapter the author begins to discuss the merits of the testaments themselves.
Chapter 8
In verse one once again we have the priestly imagery of a ceremony befitting the coronation of THE High Priest, as the work is finished and Jesus “sat down” as opposed to the earthy priest who could never rest.
leitourgos (serves) v2 Translation of leitos meaning “belonging to the people”, and ergon, meaning “work”. Used of a person in the service of the state who held public office. The word is used in the LXX and the NT both of priestly service to God and service to man.
ton hagion (sanctuary) v2 Literally places that are holy.
alethinos (true) v2 Literally genuine, not in this case opposed to that which is false or counterfeit, but in contrast to that which is a copy or representation
The point here is that Jesus, the superior priest, is serving in THE Holy of Holy’s, a superior tabernacle or tent. In verse 3 a priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore Jesus also had gifts and sacrifices to offer.
(Eph 4:8 -12 NIV) This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.....
In verse 4 since Jesus was not a priest according to the Aaronic order, He could not fulfill his “ministry” on earth, since the earthly ministry had been established through the Mosaic Law, and Jesus didn’t meet the Laws requirements for priesthood.
hupodeigma (copy) v5 An exhibit for imitation or warning, an outline or pattern.
skia (shadow) v5 An adumbration (imperfect portrayal or representation of a thing) of a reality it does not embody.
They, the earthly priests, serve at a pattern or shadow of the reality in heaven. Remember what does a shadow need to be a shadow. Something to shadow. It is the confirmation that there is something real behind it. Verse 6 is the summation of the first half of the book of Hebrews. The whole point of the book is to prove that the New Testament in Jesus’ blood is superior to the Old Testament in animal blood. Up till now the author has been considering the mediators of both testaments, he summarizes here that they (angels, prophets, Moses, Joshua, and Aaron) served a mere pattern or shadow, while Jesus, the son and faithful High Priest, serves the reality.
zeteo (sought) v7 A verb in the imperfect tense, which tense speaks of progressive action going on in past time. Literally “then no place would have been being sought”.
The point being, that if the first testament would have been perfect and met the needs of all concerned there would have been no need to be continually seeking a new and better covenant. Verse 8 finds the author moving on to quote from Jeremiah, again knowing who his readers are, he makes his point by quoting one of their own prophets. Again the author says God found fault with the people. The failure wasn’t the Laws fault, it was holy and righteousness. The only thing the Law didn’t do was provide a way of enabling the people to obey, they still chose not to.
Some interesting points about the words used in verses 8b through 12. In verse 9 God speaks of “taking them by the hand”, as if in the first covenant the nation was treated as a child, to be lead, to be taught by example. If Israel behaved, it was rewarded. If it misbehaved, it was punished. Israel was taught by object lessons, right down to where the “righteous” priests got to where the “coolest” clothes. God turned away from them when he allowed a largely unrepentant Israel and Judah to be led away into captivity. In verse ten, God speaks of writing his word on hearts and minds. So not only is He providing a way of personal regeneration, but also the piece of the puzzle that was missing with the first, an enabling or indwelling now allows the believer the desire and the power to do God’s will. Verse 11 says that no longer will an individual need to be taught. This has to do with all the minutiae that was associated with the Old Testament. The complexities of it made it fairly impossible for the average person to know what to sacrifice when. There were scribes and priests that had to interpret. With the new covenant, this would no longer be necessary. The first know used has more to do with experience, the second know is absolute knowledge. Lastly, opposed to the first covenant when sins were covered, God says he will remember their sins no more. There is a double negative in front of the word remember. Two negatives in Greek do not make a positive, they make a really strong negative. God says he will never, no how, no way, ever remember our sins. They are truly forgotten.
kainos (new) v13 Fresh, totally new
palaioo (obsolete) v13 Not worn out from age, but worn out from point of use
gerasko (aging) v13 To grow old, waning strength, decaying, failing from age
aphanismos (disappear) v13 vanish, corrupt, it’s root means to render unapparent
Verse 13 concludes this passage by stating that the prophet by calling this covenant “new”, has in fact rendered and passed judgment on the first by antiquating it.
Chapter Nine
The author in the first ten verses gives us a synopsis of the Old Testament ritualistic system. In verse 8 he makes the point that the Holy Spirit was showing all of the worshippers, priests, scribes and other participants that as long as the copy of original tabernacle was in place and functioning, the time for the new covenant had not yet come. But it eventually did:
(Mark 15:34 -38 NIV) And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah." One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (emphasis mine)
Since only God himself could have torn that curtain from top to bottom. He was signaling that the separation of man from his presence no longer had to be, and He was also signaling the beginning of a new relationship.
parabole (illustration) v9 Where we get our word parable. Literally something that is brought along side of something else to help explain something. The Old Testament system was an object lesson used to teach a spiritual truth. As long as it was a functioning parable it was obvious that the thing it pointed to was not yet ready for use. After God tore the curtain in the temple, it was repaired by man, this angered God to the point where in 70 AD he sent Rome to destroy the temple.
telios (clear) v9 Literally perfect. Author is saying that no ritual could ever “perfect” the conscience. Only the regeneration of the human mind through the blood of Christ is able to do this.
sarx (external) v10 Means carnal. pertaining to the human condition
diorthosis (new order) v10 From the verb diorthoo. The word means in its physical sense the making straight, the restoring to its natural and normal condition, something which is some way has gotten out of line, to bring to a satisfactory state.
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