Attention is now focused on the distinction between the Old and New Testament. The first thing of note is — one is “old” and one is “new.” Usually when speaking or writing about an old and a new thing, it is understood the old is replaced by the new. The significance of this observation is seen in answer to the question: Which covenant is binding on people today? Which testament, or covenant, is the one which contains the instructions for removing sin and restoring fellowship with God?
Consider two passages of Scripture, Jeremiah 31:31-33 and Hebrews 8:16, 17. Jeremiah wrote:
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Notice Jeremiah wrote about a new covenant, one that is different from the one then in effect, the law of Moses. The writer of the Hebrew epistle argues the New Testament is the one Jeremiah wrote of. Hebrews 8:6-10 reads concerning Jesus and the New Testament,
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not In my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
He went on to note in verse 13, “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old.” The Old Testament is not the one in effect for people today. If it were we would need animal sacrifices offered at the temple in Jerusalem, the descendants of Aaron for the priesthood to offer the sacrifices, and the yearly remembrance of all sins committed during our lifetimes at the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement to name a few. Under the New Testament we have the promise that God will “be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12).
Why do we study the Old Testament? Romans 15:4 states, “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Our understanding about God and His workings throughout history, the care of His people, His faithfulness, etc. come from an understanding of the Old Testament.
—Denny