Today’s reading: Gen 44:1–34, Heb 8:1–9:28, Eccles 11:1–4
Today’s theme: A better covenant
Today we continue to learn the key message of Hebrews, that Jesus is better. We focus on the better covenant enacted on better promises, we see that the tabernacle of the old covenant was a shadow pointing forward to Christ. This new reformed covenant is built upon the shed blood of Christ which purifies our conscience before God, so that we can serve Him and walk in the forgiveness, the once for all time sacrifice, has purchased for us.
Genesis 44:1–34
Judah, the line of Jesus
Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. Genesis 44:33 (ESV)
Judah’s willingness to sacrifice himself on behalf of his brother and for the love of his father, points forward to Jesus, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah”
Hebrews 8:1–9:28
The Tabernacle points to Jesus
They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:5 (ESV)
This is true of much of the Old Testament, especially around the Tabernacle and Temple (see the additional resource section).
A better covenant
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. Hebrews 8:6 (ESV)
We thank God for the new, better covenant. Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant and it is better because it is founded on the wonderful promises of grace (salvation, security, sanctification etc).
The reformed covenant
but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation. Hebrews 9:10 (ESV)
Jesus was the first great reformer, the New Testament is in a sense, a reformed old covenant.
Once for all
he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12 (ESV)
Hallelujah, here is the great evidence of God’s love for us and the eternal security we have in the atonement of Jesus Christ, through His blood.
The blood of Jesus purifies the conscience
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:14 (ESV)
An important part of the Gospel message; Jesus purifies our conscience so that we are no longer under self condemnation and we can discern more clearly, the Father’s will.
Jesus, the mediator
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15 (ESV)
Jesus is the great mediator of the new covenant, bringing agreement and reconciliation between God and man, with Himself as the guarantee of the eternal promises.
Jesus shed blood
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 (ESV)
This is why Jesus died for us and shed His precious blood – to forgive us of our sins.
Jesus, offered once
Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, Hebrews 9:25 (ESV)
This is where Roman Catholics get it wrong, they teach that at every Eucharist, Jesus is offered all over again.
Ecclesiastes 11:1–4
Don’t be paralysed by fear
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4 (ESV)
We must not be paralysed by the fear of “what if”, or become impotent while waiting for the “perfect time”, we must launch out in faith.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014
Additional resources
If you are interested in studying the way the tabernacle points to Jesus in more detail there is a book called Christ and the Desert Tabernacle (this is not free) available via Logos or Amazon