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Throughout the Old Testament, God instructed the Jewish nation to follow the laws that would eventually prepare them to understand His spiritual laws, revealed in Christ. Here, the writer highlights how some of the central elements of the Old Testament Law, including those relating to the high priest, to the tabernacle, and to the sacrifices, were symbolic ("types") of Christ and His eternal spiritual laws. Christ and the Gospel are the true central elements of the New Covenant, which superseded the law of the Old Covenant and became our spiritual law for the rest of eternity.

Additional Comment:

The Old Testament/Covenant was codified for mankind at Mt. Sinai shortly after the Exodus out of Egypt. However, the people who primarily did not have the Holy Spirit of God, could not follow the laws properly. So about 1 year post Exodus, God instituted the Sacrificial Laws where the High Priest would make animal and grain sacrifices for various sins - all pointing as noted above to Christ, our eternal High Priest.

Paul was explaining that these Sacrificial Laws with the Levitical Priesthood, were no longer necessary as Christ is now our High Priest and has asked Our Father to send His Holy Spirit to all true Christians to assist in following Christ, our perfect example. BUT, the Old Covenant and the Laws other than the Sacrificial/Levitical laws now amended are in force and the New Covenant building upon this base has been established via Christ - but not yet in full force. God's law consist of all His Covenants and Books and are eternal.

Consider that at the time of Christ, the only Holy Scripture was the Old Testament which Jesus and the Apostles quoted/alluded from frequently as their basis of authority. The Old Testament contains approximately 80% of all Scripture and to discount or not read/study it, is to lose the greater understanding of God's Word. It was so important to God that we today have these writings, that He commanded the Jews to be exact and meticulous in handling these works which are called the 'Oracles of God' in several places in the New Testament. Most of the unfulfilled prophecies are in the Old Testament. Lastly, Christ came to fill to the top the Law of God - all of it - not changing a jot or tittle. Jesus revealed the Spiritual side of the Law.

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13y ago

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