Hebrews 8:1-13

8:1-6 | The word true is not used here in contrast to something false. Instead, it means “original,” in contrast to something that is a copy. Moses’ tabernacle was just a copy of the true tabernacle in heaven (Ex. 25:40). Jesus Christ is the true High Priest who ministers in the true, heavenly sanctuary.

8:1-2 | The Great High Priest, Jesus, has gained victory over sin and death for His people and intercedes before the Father (the throne) on their behalf (Ps. 68:18; 110:1; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1).

8:7-8 | Because no one could keep the Old Covenant due to human sinfulness, it was condemning.

8:7 | The Mosaic Covenant, the covenant of the law, was conditional: “If you will… then I will…” (Ex. 19:5). it consisted of commandments that revealed God’s righteous will (Ex. 20:1-16), judgments that regulated the social life of Israel (Ex. 21:1-24), and ordinances that laid out the requirements of Israel’s religious life (ex. 24:12-31:18).

8:8-13 | The Old Covenant was never meant to be permanent - God promised that a second covenant would replace the Mosaic Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, sinners were never fully and finally forgiven. Calvary made possible the once-for-all, heart-changing solution to the problem of sin (Rom. 11:27).

The Old Covenant could not fully remove sins - its laws were written on stone to be obeyed. Therefore, it could never fully produce inward transformation.