11: A More Excellent Ministry (Heb 8:1-13)
The Basics
Setting
In the preceding
chapter, the author expounded on the priesthood of Christ in the order of
Melchizedek. He demonstrated how Christ is their superior and perfect
High Priest. In this chapter, we will study how Jesus’ ministry is superior to
that of the earthly priests and how He is also Mediator of a better covenant.
Key Verse
“But now He has obtained a more
excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which
was established on better promises” (8:6).
Did You Know…?
1. Tabernacle
(8:2): “The Israelite tent sanctuary frequently referred to in the Hebrew
Bible. It is also known as the tent of meeting (Heb ’o-hel
mô‘e-d) and, occasionally, as the Tabernacle (or
tent) of testimony (miskan ha‘e-dût).
It is the central place of worship, the shrine that houses the ark of the covenant, and frequently it is the location of
revelation. It is presented in biblical narrative as the visible sign of
Yahweh’s presence among the people of Israel.
More verses of the Pentateuch are devoted to it than to any other object. It
contains the ark, an incense altar, a table, a seven-light candelabra, an
eternal light, Aaron’s staff that miraculously blossomed (Num 17:23–26), the
vessels that are used by the priests, possibly a container of manna (Exod 16: 33–34), and a scroll written by Moses (se-per hattôrâ).” 2vol6/292
2. Mediator
(8:6) “is a legal term for one who arbitrates between two parties.” 3/76
3. Covenant
(8:6) denotes an agreement, which usually includes terms and conditions. This
word sometimes also carries the meaning of a will or a testament (cf. ), in which the testator initiates the
agreement and lays down the terms.
Observation
Outline
(8:1-2)
(8:3-6)
(8:7-9)
(8:10-13)
Key Words/Phrases
General Analysis
1. How
does the first paragraph (1-2) serve as a summary and a transition? (To answer
this question, you need to look at the larger context.)
Segment Analysis
8:1-2
1. Where
is our High Priest seated? What significance does this have?
2. What
is different about the tabernacle of which our High Priest is a Minister?
8:3-6
3. What
distinguishes Jesus from the earthly high priests in terms of what they offer
(cf. ; ; )?
4. What
contrast is made in verses 4 and 5 between Jesus’ ministry and the ministry of
the earthly priests?
5. What
does verse 5 imply about the duration of the earthly tabernacle?
6. What
was the better covenant based on (6)? Explain what this means.
7. How
is Christ the Mediator of the better covenant?
8:7-13
8. What
was lacking in the old covenant?
9a. What promises did God make in the new covenant?
9b. How are these promises fulfilled in Christ?
10. Does
your relationship with God still reflect some of the characteristics of the old
covenant?
11. How can you participate in the better covenant?
