In our prior lesson, we noted that:

1. The Old Covenant was given by Moses, but the New Covenant is given by Christ.
2. The Old Covenant was given to Israel only, but the New Covenant is given to all mankind.
3. The Old Covenant was written on stone, but the New Covenant is written on one's heart.
4. God found fault with the Old Covenant, but the New Covenant is a better covenant.

Let's now consider:

5. The Old Covenant was established on the blood of animals,

• Hebrews 9:18-22 - "Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.' Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission."
• Hebrews 10:4 - "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins."
• But the New Covenant is established on the blood of Jesus the Christ.
• Hebrews 9:11,12 - "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."
• Colossians 1:14 - "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

6. The Old Covenant detailed a copy of the true tabernacle,

• Hebrews 9:23,24 - "Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."
• But the New Covenant reveals the true tabernacle.
• Hebrews 8:1,2 - "Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man."

7. The Old Covenant did not provide a clear conscience,

• Hebrews 9:8,9 - "The Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience."
• But the New Covenant makes one perfect.
• Hebrews 7:18,19 - "For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God."

8. The Old Covenant focused on fleshly ordinances,

• Hebrews 9:10 - "Concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation."
• But the New Covenant focuses on spiritual sacrifices.
• I Peter 2:5 - "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

9. The Old Covenant purified the flesh only ,

• Hebrews 9:13,14 - "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
• But the New Covenant purifies our souls.
• I Peter 1:22 - "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart."

10.High priests sinned under the Old Covenant,

• Hebrews 7:27 - "Who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself."
• But the New Covenant has a sinless High Priest.
• Hebrews 7:26 - "For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens."
• Hebrews 4:15 - "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

We will conclude this study in our next lesson.