That’s better - 19 August 2009 |
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This is too simplistic to sustain detailed scrutiny, but at least it’s a place to start:
Hebrews 7 – a better priest
Hebrews 8 – a better covenant
Hebrews 9 – a better sanctuary
Hebrews 10 – a better sacrifice
One of the (many) reasons why this needs to be nuanced slightly is that the new-and-better covenant of which Jesus is mediator (ch 8) sits within the context of the new-and-better sanctuary in which he ministers.
Thus 8:1 sums up much of the preceding chapter; 8:2 sets off on the new-sanctuary trail which continues down to 8:6a; and the new covenant is introduced in 8:6b as a way of expressing the greatness of the new sanctuary. Thus 8:6 could be paraphrased: Jesus’ (new) ministry (in the heavenly sanctuary) is greater than the old ministry (in the earthly sanctuary) just as the new covenant is greater than the old covenant.
8:7-13 expresses of the comparative greatness of the new covenant, which in this context echoes the comparative greatness of the heavenly sanctuary. Then back to the comparison/contrast between the two sanctuaries in 9:1ff.
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Bible, Minister's Blog