The Fulfillment and Surpassing of the Old Covenant
Friday, November 28
Hebrews 11:40 (NIV)
“..since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”
Devotion
Thousands of years ago on Mount Sinai, back in Exodus 19:5-6, God offered the Israelites a covenant. He said, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
God told Israel that if they were to keep His covenant, He would form them into a distinct people, separated from the peoples surrounding them. The moral, civil and judicial Law that followed, as well as the ceremonial and sacrificial systems, and the blessings and curses that went along with them if Israel were to obey or disobey, were all part of the Old Covenant system.
A few chapters later in Exodus 24:3, Israel agreed to this covenant: “When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, ‘Everything the Lord has said we will do.’”
The Old Covenant accomplished a number of things. It set Israel aside as a distinct people, revealed God’s character, exposed human sin (Romans 3:20), and pointed to a greater reality that is Christ. Paul likens the Law to a guardian in that, “the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” (Galatians 3:24-25). The Old Covenant was never meant for eternal salvation or perfection, however.
And although the Old Covenant system is what the Old Testament believers practiced, they also had an awareness of a New Covenant system prophesied in Jeremiah 31, and of an everlasting kingdom that God Himself would set up, with the messiah as King. However, they assumed the messiah would conquer Rome and set up His kingdom all in one coming, not be put to death on a cross. Big problem – without His death, there would be no way for the kings and priests serving in God’s kingdom to be identified separately from Adam. They could be forgiven for their sins, but not step into complete remission from them. The only way that could happen is through the death of the Passover lamb and creating a “last Adam” for believers to be identified under (1 Corinthians 5:7, 15:45).
By faith Old Testament believers like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, etc. lived in expectation of the things to come, but didn’t see them in their lifetime. Because God had planned something better so that they, along with us as New Testament believers this side of the cross, could all be made perfect together under Christ.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of faith and trust in Jesus. Help me to be sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see, so that I might be commended with the ancients and numbered among Your heroes of the faith. Give me the gift of prophecy in evangelism so that the seekers might be convicted of their sin and turn quickly to Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
The witnesses referenced in today’s passage have finished their earthly race. We live in a time the ancients longed to see – Jesus the Messiah came and fulfilled the law. He is reigning in heaven, having completed God’s plan for atonement and reconciliation announced as far back as Genesis. If you are waiting on someone else to step up to serve Jesus in our generation, Pastor Franklin says – you’re it!
Resources
- Watch “Climbers” today and be inspired to step into the heights God has prepared for you.
- Make a lasting kingdom impact—sign up for a Serve Team and serve the Lord faithfully in your generation.