Atlanta Bible Students
The Book of Hebrews
Chapter 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; [2] A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Verse 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; |
| Question | Answer |
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| What is Paul telling us by this opening phrase? |
He is letting us know that all the previous arguments he has made in chapters 1 through 7 are about to be summed up. |
| Paul does not say "We have an high priest." Instead he says "We have such an high priest." -- Why? |
Such an high priest as he has been talking about, i.e., the Levitical priesthood in the prior chapters and then comparing that to the Melchisedec priesthood, showing the superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood. He then pointed out that Jesus fulfills the role of the Melchisedec priesthood. |
| Where does Paul say Jesus is and what is the significance of this? |
He is at "the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."
It signifies He has been raised a powerful spiritual being.
It signifies that He is at the Father's Right Hand, i.e., the most important and powerful position in the universe, second only to the Father Himself. |
Verse 2
| A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. |
| Question | Answer |
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| What is the sanctuary? |
There are two classes of believers. The sanctuary and the host. The sanctuary is the true church and the host consists of the great mass of nominal believers who are not consecrated. |
| How is Jesus a minister of the sanctuary? |
To be a minister means to be a servant. Jesus gave us the example of the fact that, even though He is our Master, any minister is a servant. John 13:4-17 |
| If all instructions for the tabernacle in the wilderness were given by God, why does Paul here refer to it as being pitched by man? |
God gave the instructions. He did not "pitch" it. He gave that job to the Levites. |
| If the tabernacle in the wilderness is not the one pitched by God, what is the "true tabernacle?" |
The true tabernacle is the antitype of the tabernacle in the wilderness. We have been studying the Tabernacle for some time now in order to better understand the Antitypical Tabernacle. In short the true tabernacle is God's Divine Plan for for the development of the church and the recovery of man. |
[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. [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: [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 showed to thee in the mount. [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. [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Verse 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. |
| Question | Answer |
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| What is the job of every high priest? |
To offer gifts and sacrifices. |
| Why, in speaking of the high priest, speak of Jesus as a man? When did Jesus become a high priest? |
At Jordan. This we know because he offered himself in sacrifice there and it was there that he received the Holy Spirit. As a man (even a perfect one) he could not enter into the antitypical Holy of the antitypical tabernacle. Only a new creature has access into the Holy. Q374:7 |
| What did Jesus have to offer? |
His perfect human life. see Heb. 9:11-14 |
Verse 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: |
| Question | Answer |
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Was Jesus a High Priest during His earthly ministry?
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If yes, why does Paul here say "if he were on earth, he should not be a priest?"
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If no, how could he then sacrifice himself? |
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Yes
Simple answer: Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, not Levi.
A more elongated answer: Paul says this because the earthly priesthood was still in existance, i.e., the Levitical priesthood. Jesus was not a High Priest after the flesh but after the spirit. He became a spiritual High Priest when He was begotten at Jordan. He then slew the antitypical bullock (his own fleshly body) and for the next 3½ years He was feeding on the word of God (shewbread) seeing spiritual things (by the light of the golden candlestick) and was offering up prayers to God (at the golden altar). He was carrying the blood of the antitypical bullock (His perfect sacrificed humanity) through the Holy, carrying the coals of fire (hard trials) and sprinkling the incense (heart devotion) which created a sweet smell as it came in contact with the fire (trials). All this was placed on the antitypical golden altar (T65:2, T120:1) before He entered the Most Holy (heaven itself, in the presence of God.)
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| Why would the fact that there were priests offering gifts according to the law have any bearing on Jesus being a high priest? |
Jesus was not from the tribe of Levi and therefore could to serve as a priest under the Mosaic Law. |
Verse 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 showed to thee in the mount. |
| Question | Answer |
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| What meaning is there for us in the Levitical priesthood? |
It served as an example or type of the good things to come. It is for this reason that we have "Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrifices." |
| Of what importance was the tabernacle's construction? |
(Exo. 25:9,40) Since God laid such stress upon the accuracy of its construction, does it seem reasonable that all this was for no purpose? It is exactly as Paul says; that these things serve as types for our (the church's) benefit. There are great lessons to be learned by the study of the Tabernacle. |
Verse 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. |
| Question | Answer |
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| What is the "more excellent ministry" that Jesus has obtained? |
The results will be more excellent. The results of the Levitical priesthood were only temporary and thus needed to be repeated year by year. The results of the "better covenant" (the New Covenant) will be everlasting. |
| What is this "better covenant?" |
The New Covenant. From the Covenant Book |
| Is Jesus now the mediator of this better covenant? |
Yes but only in the prospective sense. That is to say that He has gained that position. A mediator is used to settle disputes between parties. In the scriptures this is only needed when there is a covenant. Since Jesus is (to be) the mediator of the new covenant, it stands to reason that the new covenant must go into operation before He takes up that position in an active sense. |
| Paul says "a better covenant, which was established.." Does this mean the New Covenant has already been established? |
No. Please see From the Covenants Book.
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| Paul says this better covenant is established on better promises. Better than what? |
Better than the promises of the Law Covenant. The promise there was that the man which kept the law would live. Rom. 10:5 |
| What are these "better promises?" |
The promise of eternal life under the New Covenant. - Isa. 35:8-10. |
Verse 7
| For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. |
| Question | Answer |
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| What is the first covenant of which Paul is speaking? |
The Law Covenant made with the nation of Israel. |
| Who made that Covenant? |
God made it. It was between God and Israel. |
| If made by God how could Paul indicate that it had fault? |
The fault was not with God, nor with the covenant itself. The fault was with the imperfect nation of Israel. |
| What is the second Covenant Paul here mentions? |
The (future) New Covenant. |
[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.
Verse 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: |
| Question | Answer |
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| From where is Paul quoting? |
Jer. 31:31-34 |
| The statement "the days come" indicates a future event. Future from when? |
Future from the time of the prophecy, i.e., future from Jeremiah's time. |
| Why did God indicate this new covenant would be with both the houses of Israel and Judah? |
Because at the time of Jeremiah's prophecy the nation had long been divided into two kingdoms, the kingdom of Judah (including the tribe of Benjamin) and the kingdom of Israel (which included the remaining ten tribes.) |
| Will this covenant be the Law Covenant re-established? |
No. It is a "new" covenant. |
Verse 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. |
| Question | Answer |
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| When Paul says "their fathers," of whom is he speaking? |
He is speaking of Israel and their fathers (ancestors). |
| How can we be certain about who is here being spoken of? |
Who else did God take by the hand and lead out of Egypt? |
| Who did not continue in God's Covenant? |
Israel -- "the fathers," the ancestors to the Jews of his day. |
| What is the importance of the word "because" in this prophecy? |
It explains the need for a new covenant. |
Verse 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: |
| Question | Answer |
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| In verse 8 the Lord says He will make this new covenant with the house of Judah and the house of Israel. Why then, in verse 10, does He say He will make the covenant with the house of Israel, and makes no mention of the house of Judah? |
See comments on verse 8. |
| What is meant by "after those days?" |
After the Gospel Age has developed the church class. |
| The New Covenant laws are to be "in their mind." Wasn't the Law Covenant in the mind of Israel? (Deu. 31:9-11) How then is this different? |
The people will have their minds developed to retain the information. They will have access to it, not only every seven years, but constantly. (Consider, for example, the internet.) |
| What is the importance of writing it in their hearts? |
In their effections. Prov. 23:26; Jer. 24:7; 32:39. If something is said to be in your heart it means you love it. |
| "I shall be to them a God." Wasn't He already "a God" to Israel? How will this be different? |
Yes He was. The difference is that He will never again scatter them throughout the world. He will never work ill toward them but only good - once the New Covenant is established. |
| Wasn't Israel already "a people" to God? (Amos 3:2) How will this be different? |
Yes, Israel was a people to God. The problem is that they were often a people to Him in name only and not with their whole heart. Those conditions will change for He declares that He will write His law in their hearts. |
Verse 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. |
| Question | Answer |
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| Today we often get people coming to our door witnessing. They are basically asking "Do you know the Lord." Why will this cease? |
Because all will then know the Lord. |
| Is the New Covenant established with Israel or with the whole world? |
Jer. 31:31-34 tells us it is established with Israel. Isa. 2:2-4 tells us that the nations of earth will go to the house of Jacob and learn of their God and walk in his ways. Thus they will gain the blessing through Israel. See also Zech. 8:23 |
Verse 12
| For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. |
| Question | Answer |
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| Is there a difference between being "merciful to their unrighteousness" and no longer remembering "their sins and their iniquities?" If so, what is the difference? If not, why this language? |
Yes. Their sins and iniquities God will "remember" no more. This implies that these are in the past. It does not say He will not remember their unrighteousness, but rather, He will be merciful to their unrighteousness. This implies that they will still have unrighteousness during the period the New Covenant is in operation. - Hence the need for a mediator. |
[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.
Verse 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. |
| Question | Answer |
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| Is Paul here saying that the Law Covenant had passed away? |
No. He says it is "ready" to pass away. |
Chapter 7 Chapter 9