The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 233

Vers. 6-13.-The reasons assirtned for the i11/roduction of th-, new covenant. ThcslJ consist of the suitability of the Lord Jesus to bo en'.!:nged in the a<lministrntion of a higher and nobler covenant than that which was establi~hed with Israel at t-linai. The more excellent ministry and the more excellent covenant go together. There were promises attached to the observance of the Mo~nic which related to temporal blessine1s, such as harvests, vintages, and the peace and quiet of the land. The better covena; t is founded upon better promises, and requires a. mediator whose character correspon,ls to the higher institution of Divine grace. 'l'he next reason is the unsrdisfactory result of the former covenant. It was good in itself, and was, a.s everything which cometh from the Father of lights, suitable as a. preparatory institution, while the Church w:i.s under tutors and governors. Under thi'.! dispensation there was frequent idolatry, desecration of the temple, injustice, and prevalent corruption. Jeremiah lived to see the carrying away to llabylon, which proved the Divine displeasure against people whose history began with a sublime act of redemption from the bondage and miseries of Egypt; which act should have been a.n a.biding ea.use of grateful and persevering obedience to him who by signs and wonders had released them from subjection to a cruel power, and exalted them to the dignity of a. nation which "was born in a. day." While Jeremiah saw the sin and punishment of his people, he found in the promise of a new and better covenant the consolation which sustained his soul, and provided encouragement for many others. 'l'he new covenant contains four blessings of the highest value, J. THE Il!SCRIPTION OF THE LAW OF GOD IN THE HEART. It is a remark of Ewald's that in Egyptian temples there were arks, or sacred chests, into which the priests put everything they deemed of the highest value. Jehovah bad nothi~ more precious thnn his Law, which, being the expression of his righteous wiil, and for the good of Israel, was placed in the ark of the covenant. While the Law was in the sacred place the people forgot its claims, worshipped false gods, and were guilty of many trans- gressions. The new covenant places the Law in the heart, and thus life becomes a. scene of obedience, a cause of sincerity in worship, and by its constant presence preserves believers from offending God, and produces the fruits of righteousness. Paul said, "With the mind I serve the Law of God; and the law of the Spirit of life in Cliri,t Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." II. The next privilege it secures is TilE SACRED RELATIO~ WfilCH SUBSISTS BETWEE~ Gen AND HIS COVENANTED PEOPLE. This suggests the thought of king and suhject8. He, as the King, is the glory of the true Israel. He can defend them from assault, can supply all their needs" acr.ording to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 'l'he various images of his connection with his people are all summed up in this term, in which he undertakes to be the God of his redeemed ones. If the ancient subjects of Jehovah could say, "The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; he will save us," much more joyfully may Christians exult in him who is thei.i· covenant God. Those who eDter into covenant become his people by spiritual civiliza- tion, and differ from the barbarous, unorgauized tribes of the earth. As bis subjects, they reveal tho character of the government under which ihey live, serve the high purposes of God, and are a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Their citizenship is in heaven, and they belong to the kingdom of God. III. There is THE ENJOYMENT OF ESSENTIAL AND SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE. lt cannot be supposed that the followers of Christ will ever be raised above the need of ministerial help and instruction in the things of God, since the first great gift bestowed upon tho Church included apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers. It is therefore presumable tho.t this suggests the fact that all who belong to the New Testament Church will not require remonstrance and persuasion to acknowledge the fun~ame~tal truths of truo religion, Dw-iug the Law, there were many occasions on which nghteous men had  THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. [ell, \'Ill. 1-13.