Other Traditional
Misunderstanding
Sinai covenant, Law of Moses, Horeb, Levite Levites,
Levitical Priesthood,
animal sacrifice, commanded sacrifices, Law, circumcision
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We should look at a few technical points. These might come quickly to mind, and can be easily addressed.
First covenant
Hebrews 9:18 calls the Old
covenant the 'first' covenant. How can it be the 'first' if the Sinai
covenant predated it? The answer is simple. The Greek word translated 'first'
is 'prote'. It actually indicates
'first of a series'. In this case we have a series of two, so 'first
could be translated 'former'. Hebrews is only comparing the Old Covenant with
the New Covenant. It only deals with two covenants. In this comparison,
of course the Old Covenant is the first. We have to include other
historical evidence to connect the Old Covenant with events recorded in the
Law.
Malachi 4:4 indicates that the law was given to Moses at
Mount Sinai. Wouldn't that mean it was the Sinai covenant? Israel
departed Egypt on the 15th day of the first month (Num 33:3). They
arrived at Mount Sinai on the first day of the third month (Ex. 19:1). Exodus
19 and the book of Jubilees (Ch 1:1-4, 9:11-22), which was regarded as highly
as some Hebrew scripture by many in the early church and by many Jews, both
indicate God spoke to the nation from Sinai within just a few days of their
arrival. The confirmation of the Sinai covenant would have been immediately
after that. However, they did not depart the area of Sinai until almost a
year later. (Num 10:11-13)
Once a covenant is
confirmed, it cannot be changed. Any later additions could not be considered
part of the Sinai covenant. The great bulk of the Law was given to Moses in
the area around Sinai, but it was after the Sinai covenant was confirmed (Ex
34:32, Ex 33:7, Lev 1:1, Num 1:1, Lev 25:1, 27:34, Lev 7:37-38). Also it
should be noted that Israel knew at least the basics, if not the detailed
judgments of the Sinai covenant, before they arrived at Sinai. "How
long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?" (Exodus
16:28). Of course God spoke to all Israel from Mount Sinai. The covenant of
the Lord did not come through Moses.
So the great bulk of
the Law of Moses was given while Israel was camped around Sinai. However, it
was given after the Sinai covenant was confirmed and not fully explained to
the people until Deuteronomy, "Moses began to explain this law"
(Deu 1:5b).
Jeremiah 31:32
Another scripture that
might be quoted to seriously link the Sinai covenant with the Old Covenant is
Jeremiah 31:32. This verse is also quoted in Hebrews 8:9.
"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 did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them,
says the Lord."
Like the dedication of
the Old Covenant as recorded in chapter 9 this must be read very carefully.
In fact, this verse reinforces that the covenant made in Moab is the Old
Covenant.
If you think about
this carefully, the covenant that failed and none will be made like it again
was made in Egypt according to this verse, not in the Sinai. When you take
someone by the hand to lead them out of a room, they are obviously in the
room. Even so, when God takes Israel by the hand to lead them out of Egypt
they must be in Egypt.
The Sinai was not in
Egypt (Ex 12:40-42, 13:3-4, 16:1). They left Egypt on the first day of
Unleavened Bread. After leaving Egypt, they arrived at Mt. Sinai a
month and a half later (Ex 16:1, 19:1).
So, to what covenant is Hebrews 8:9 and Jeremiah 31:32 referring? There is no
record of any covenant being made in Egypt. But ask yourself this. Is God
more interested in geographical location or state of mind?
The obvious answer is
state of mind. Certainly many of the people still had their hearts in Egypt
long after their physical crossing of the Red Sea and long after the Sinai
covenant was confirmed (Num 11:18, 14:1-4, Acts 7:39). It wasn't until after
Israel crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land that God considered
they were separated from Egypt. "...This day have I rolled away the
reproach of Egypt from you."
(Josh 5:9) That was when God made the final separation between Israel and
Egypt. This was immediately after they crossed the Jordan, entering the
Promised Land.
The covenant made in
Moab was made just before Israel was led out of the wilderness and into the Promised
Land, just before they left Egypt mentally. God separated them from their
shameful inclination to return to Egypt at that time.
The law and the Moab
covenant was to keep Israel in line with the covenant of the Lord (Gal 3:23),
which they had proven incapable of obeying as agreed. Note the rest of this
Hebrews/Jeremiah quote, "because they did not continue in My
covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord." (Heb 8:9bc). God's
desire was that they obey HIS covenant, the Ten Commandments and the statutes
and judgments that expounded on them (Deu 4:13,
5:31).
This verse is actually
contrasting the Old Covenant of Moab with His covenant, the covenant of the
Lord, as recorded in Exodus 20 and written with the finger of God (Ex
31:17-18).
The Law of Moses, the
Old Covenant, was the covenant made in Moab, just before Israel went into the
Promised Land. That is when they were separated from Egypt. It is the only
covenant to which Hebrews could be referring. The Ten Commandments, His
Covenant, was the "Words" or official terms of the covenant of the
Lord (Ex. 34:28, Deut 4:13). Actually His covenant was just confirming
at Sinai the covenant originally made with Abraham.
There are other
scriptures that often are misunderstood and therefore can be confusing.
A number of scriptures from the New Testament are covered in the New Testament
teaching page. Jeremiah 11 can also be confusing if one
approaches it with old assumptions.