What other scriptures highlight the difference between old and new covenants? Jeremiah 31:32—A Launch Point “‘It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,’ declares the LORD.” Old-Covenant Portraits: Law Written on Stone, External, Conditional • Exodus 24:7-8 – Blood sprinkled on the people seals the Sinai covenant. • Deuteronomy 29:1 – Moses summarizes “the covenant the LORD commanded…besides the covenant He had made with them at Horeb.” • Leviticus 26:3-12 – Blessings hinge on continued obedience; disobedience brings curses. • 2 Kings 23:21-25 – Even righteous Josiah’s reforms cannot permanently revive the nation. • Romans 3:20 – “No one will be justified in His sight by works of the law; the law merely brings awareness of sin.” • 2 Corinthians 3:7 – Paul calls it “the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stone.” New-Covenant Portraits: Law Written on Hearts, Internal, Transformational • Jeremiah 31:33-34 – God writes His law within; all know Him; sins are remembered no more. • Ezekiel 36:26-27 – “I will give you a new heart…My Spirit within you, causing you to walk in My statutes.” • Luke 22:20 – “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.” • Hebrews 8:6-13 – Jesus mediates “a better covenant, enacted on better promises…what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” • Hebrews 9:11-15 – Christ’s once-for-all blood secures “eternal redemption.” • 2 Corinthians 3:6, 8 – “The Spirit gives life…how much more glorious is the ministry of the Spirit!” • Romans 7:4-6 – Released from the law, we now “serve in the new way of the Spirit, not in the old way of the written code.” Side-by-Side Snapshot • Mediator – Old: Moses (Galatians 3:19). – New: Jesus, eternal High Priest (Hebrews 9:15). • Entrance Sign – Old: Animal blood, repeated (Hebrews 10:1-4). – New: Christ’s blood, once for all (Hebrews 10:10-14). • Location of Law – Old: Tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18). – New: Hearts and minds (Jeremiah 31:33). • Power to Obey – Old: Human resolve, often failing (Judges 2:17). – New: Indwelling Spirit (Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:3-4). • Scope – Old: National Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-11). – New: “Everyone who believes,” Jew and Gentile (Acts 10:34-43; Ephesians 2:11-16). • Duration – Old: Temporary, “until the Seed should come” (Galatians 3:19). – New: “Eternal covenant” (Hebrews 13:20). Why the Shift Matters Today • Assurance – Forgiveness is final; no annual sacrifices, no lingering guilt (Hebrews 10:17-18). • Relationship – God is not merely Law-giver but Father who lives within His people (John 14:23). • Transformation – Obedience flows from new hearts, not external pressure (Philippians 2:13). • Mission – The covenant is global; we invite all nations to reconciliation through Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). |
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