Take Two: Hebrews 8, Proverbs 19

Hebrews 8 picks up on the discussion and assumes the point made in Chapter 7. Jesus Christ is different and even "superior" to the priests of the Jewish Law. Therefore, His "system" (to use a term very loosely to relate to the New Covenant) is different and superior to the old "system/ covenant. Once a person has the better covenant, it is nonsensical for them to consider returning to the inferior.

Heb 8:1-6 makes this point. Once we determine that Christ is superior, that He is our High Priest, that He is in heaven in the position of authority (right hand of the throne), then all lesser "priests" are revealed to be insufficient. They serve a "copy" and not the better. Growing up, my parents always provided...but sometimes it was more creatively done than at other times. I joke sometimes that I did not know that meatloaf was intended to contain meat until I got married and someone else made it. Growing up...two pounds of hamburger made a five pound meatloaf. If you add enough bread, milk, and eggs...you can do anything. Growing up, meatloaf was one of my favorite dishes. After I got married and discovered that many people use 1 pound of meat to make a one pound meatloaf, I was perplexed. I thought Jodi was doing it wrong. Then I tasted it. It tasted like meat! Now...it is pretty difficult to enjoy the old meat/bread loaf with the same zeal as before. I have had the "real," so the copy is less satisfying. SAME CONCEPT the writer of Hebrews is speaking of.

Heb 8:7 makes the next point. Since there is a New Covenant, it is clear that the Old Covenant was imperfect. If the first covenant was sufficient and perfect, then there would be no need for a second, (unless God was creating a variety of ways for us to relate to Him.) This case is made clear from the OT citations in Heb 8:8-12. Heb 8:13 then concludes that the very presence of the "New Covenant" indicates the obsolescence of the "Old Covenant." As before, the point is not theological per se; rather, the point is pastoral. The writer is encouraging the readers to dismiss the idea of returning to the Old Covenant since they now have the New.

Proverbs 19:2 is the takeaway. When we are called on to "hurry" to decide a matter, it usually means that we are expected to make a decision without all of the available "knowledge." This usually leads to a decision that is less wise than one would make if taking the appropriate amount of time. I am mindful of the current news broadcasts where people are "up in arms" over the conduct of leaders of companies that the government bailed out. Some took big bonuses, in accordance with the agreement and terms of the bailout. As such, there is no recourse. When the Bill was up for deliberation, those who wanted to examine it further were chastised and told that their lack of action would lead to demise. Now...it seems more "knowledge" and a more thoughful approach would have led to a better decision. I guess the urgent pleas of some leaders in the face of "imminent danger of economic collapse" caused a panicked response and a poorly executed approach. Once again, God demonstrates His Wisdom before all the World!