A Divine Journey from Law to Grace and How Blood Sealed Both, But Only One Set Us Free!
We are going to look at a biblically grounded comparison of the Old Covenant (Mosaic Covenant) and the New Covenant based on Scripture from six angles:
1. Foundation & Mediator
- Old Covenant: Was established with Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–24).
- “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” (Exodus 19:5)
- Mediated by Moses (Galatians 3:19).
- New Covenant: Was established through Jesus Christ with all believers (Jew and Gentile).
- “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Luke 22:20)
- Mediated by Christ (Hebrews 8:6, 9:15).
2. Law vs. Grace
- Old Covenant: Was based on obedience to the Law (Torah), with blessings for compliance and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28).
- “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” (Galatians 3:10, quoting Deuteronomy 27:26)
- New Covenant: Is based on grace through faith in Christ’s sacrifice, not works of the Law.
- “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
3. Sacrifices & Atonement
- Old Covenant: Was a temporary atonement through animal sacrifices (Leviticus 16–17).
- “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)
- New Covenant: Is an eternal atonement through Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.
- “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)
4. Heart Transformation
- Old Covenant: Emphasized external obedience to commandments.
- “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8)
- New Covenant: Emphasizes internal transformation by the Holy Spirit.
- “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.” (Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10)
- “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
5. Scope of the Covenant
- Old Covenant: Was primarily for Israel (though Gentiles could join).
- “You are to be my kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:6)
- New Covenant: Is for all nations through faith in Christ.
- “There is neither Jew nor Gentile… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
6. Permanence
- Old Covenant: Was only temporary, a “shadow” of what was to come (Hebrews 8:13, 10:1).
- New Covenant: Is eternal and unbreakable (Hebrews 13:20, Jeremiah 31:31-34).
Key Biblical Passage Contrasting the Two Covenants:
“In speaking of a new covenant, He makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:13)
Conclusion:
The Old Covenant revealed God’s holiness and human inability to keep the Law, pointing forward to Christ. The New Covenant fulfills God’s promises by providing salvation through Jesus, writing His law on the hearts of believers, and extending grace to all who believe.
