If God promises a new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31–34, why do some passages in the Old Testament still emphasize following the old covenant laws?

1. Promised New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31–34

Jeremiah 31:31–34 declares, “The days are coming… when I will make a new covenant…” and promises a divine transformation in the relationship between God and humanity. Unlike the earlier covenant written on stone, the new covenant would be inscribed on the hearts and minds of the people, providing an inward, Spirit-driven obedience. According to this passage, everyone within that covenant—“from the least of them to the greatest”—will know God directly, and He will “remember their sins no more.” This prophecy signals a profound shift in how God’s people will understand and follow His commands.

2. The Ongoing Importance of the Old Covenant Laws

Some passages in the Old Testament continue emphasizing adherence to the laws given at Sinai. These laws had immediate relevance for ancient Israel’s societal structure, moral conduct, and worship. Many can be seen as foundational guidelines—ethical and ceremonial—for a covenant community. Their ongoing mention in Scripture reflects:

• Temporary but Significant Role: Galatians 3:24 describes the Law as a “guardian” or “tutor” leading toward the promise yet to be fully realized in the coming Messiah.

• Historical Context: Ancient Israel was a theocracy, and the polished details of ceremonial, civil, and moral statutes guided daily living.

• Revelation of God’s Character: The Mosaic Law reveals holiness and justice, illuminating the seriousness of sin and humanity’s need for redemption.

3. Continuity and Fulfillment Rather Than Abandonment

Some readers question why certain prophets and later texts reference the old covenant legal requirements if the new covenant was foretold. The answer lies in the principle of fulfillment rather than outright dismissal:

1. Progressive Revelation: Scripture unfolds gradually across history. Even while the new covenant was announced, Israel was yet to experience it in its fullness. Passages that emphasize older laws highlight the continuing role those laws played for their immediate audience.

2. Foreshadowing Messiah’s Work: Ceremonial commands—such as sacrifices—foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah. Hebrews 10:1 calls the Law a “shadow of the good things to come,” pointing ahead to Christ’s atoning work.

3. Established Moral Principles: Moral laws (e.g., prohibitions against murder or stealing) reflect God’s unchanging moral character. These foundations remain valid for believers, though understood through the lens of Christ’s teaching and the Spirit’s internal guidance.

4. Testimony of Consistency in Ancient Manuscripts

Archaeological discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (dated as early as the third century BC) demonstrate strong textual consistency with the preserved Hebrew Scriptures. The fragmentary copies from Qumran show that the promise of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31) was regarded as a genuine part of the prophetic message well before the time of Christ.

Additionally, the Ketef Hinnom scrolls—small silver amulets containing priestly blessings from Numbers—underscore the reliability of the Hebrew Bible’s transmission. These discoveries preserve and affirm the Old Testament’s integrity, including the laws of Moses, while simultaneously witnessing to the prophetic passages that promise future fulfillment.

5. Harmonizing Old and New in Light of Christ

The New Testament writers widely attested that the promised “new covenant” of Jeremiah 31 found its complete expression in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. For example, Luke 22:20 says, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you,” pointing directly to the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. Several key themes help harmonize the older commands with the newly inaugurated covenant:

• Law Written on Hearts: Rather than external adherence, there is a Spirit-empowered obedience. Romans 8:4 explains that believers “do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit,” fulfilling the righteous requirements of God.

• Final Atonement: The sacrificial system of the old covenant, repeatedly mentioned in passages like Leviticus, is superseded by the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.

• Continuity of God’s Character: The moral truths expressed in the old covenant reflect God’s nature. These truths remain, even as certain ceremonial and civil aspects find their culmination in the Messiah.

6. Historical Reliability and the Unfolding Covenant

Historians and archeologists cite ancient accounts, such as those by Flavius Josephus, to confirm Israel’s national history and the religious rites central to the Law. Geological and historical studies have offered intriguing correlations to biblical narratives (e.g., excavation sites across the Levant revealing city structures consistent with Israelite communities). These corroborations lend further credibility to the continuity of scriptural teaching: although the old covenant laws were firmly rooted in ancient Israel’s context, they ultimately pointed forward, mirroring the last words of the prophets that a deeper, permanent redemption was coming.

7. Practical Implications for Believers

For individuals studying the convergence of the old and new covenants:

1. Ethical Insight: Old Testament laws still teach about holiness and the serious nature of sin. They were never intended to be an end in themselves but a means to guide and protect and ultimately to highlight humanity’s need for grace.

2. Christ-Centered Fulfillment: The new covenant focuses on transformation from within. The Spirit implants love for God’s righteous ways, empowering faithful obedience without strict reliance on external regulations.

3. Hopeful Anticipation: Jeremiah’s prophecy underscores an intimate relationship with God, no longer mediated by an earthly priesthood but anchored in the completed work of the Messiah.

8. Conclusion

Jeremiah 31:31–34 heralds the promise that God’s people would enter a renewed bond characterized by internal transformation. Passages in the Old Testament that reiterate the Law do so within the historical and preparatory framework that ultimately leads to the new covenant’s fulfillment. The reliability of the biblical text—affirmed by ancient manuscripts, archaeological evidence, and the theological continuity seen throughout Scripture—demonstrates the consistent, unfolding revelation of God’s plan.

Far from a contradiction, the emphasis on the old covenant laws in many Old Testament sections shows how God’s historic dealings with His people were brought to completion in a far greater covenant, one that writes His truth upon human hearts and offers lasting reconciliation through the risen Messiah.