Lesson 9: The Cross Brings Renewal and Rededication
Question 2
In this passage of Scripture, we see Joshua separating the Israelites into two groups, as God commanded Moses in Deuteronomy 11:29, with one group being sent to Mt. Ebal (the “mount of curses”) and one being sent to Mt. Gerizim (the “mount of blessings”). Here they were to read the blessings promised for obedience and the curses that would come through disobedience.
It’s important to note that the altar of sacrifice was set up on Mt. Ebal, the mountain where the curses were read. This is to show that at the very place where we would expect a curse instead we find a sacrifice, and that sacrifice, which points to the cross, removes the curse from us and brings the blessing to us.
“This altar was erected on Mount Ebal...to show that at the place where according to the Law we would reasonably expect a curse, we now have peace with God because of Christ’s sacrifice of himself and his mediation for us. He has redeemed us from the curse of the Law by being made a curse for us (Galatians 3:13)....The curses pronounced on Mount Ebal would have been carried out immediately if atonement had not been made by sacrifice” (Matthew Henry commentary on Joshua 8:30-35).
The other significant event that happened here was the reading of the Law, which was the renewal of the Covenant God made with His people on Mt. Sinai. This taught the people that obedience was the condition of ongoing victory and of continuous living in the promised land.
But we must remember this was the renewing of the Old Covenant which, in essence, said: “obey perfectly or die!” Believers today are under the New Covenant (Luke 22:20) which teaches us that we did not obey so Jesus died in our place. Now by faith in Him we are reconciled to God through the death of His Son, we have peace and fellowship with God, and we inherit the promised land of heaven and eternal life with Christ (Colossians 1:12 and 1 Peter 1:3-4).
Believers are not under the Old Covenant of Law, which was based on living perfectly, but rather under the New Covenant of grace which is based on forgiveness. The Old Covenant of Law is now completely obsolete: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. ” By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” (Hebrews 8:12-13).
Question 2. From Hebrews 8:12-13, how do we know that the Old Covenant is no longer in effect for believers?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Kelly writes, "The Old Covenant isn't in effect any more because of the Mercy of God. One thing that was absent from the Old Covenant of Law and sacrifices is mercy. There was no mercy offerred. Like the lessons say's you either obey or die. I can imagine what must have been going through the heart and minds of the people as they stood on Mount Ebal reading the Law. Surely it suppose to be a time of renewal but there had to be people there who's heart was filled with dread as they realized that the Law they were reading was a Law they couldnt keep. I get that same feeling of dread now at times when I read the Law in the Old Testament. If not for the Cross of Jesus Christ I would be undone. But because of His sacrifice, the Mercy of God in sending the Lord Jesus the Lamb of God as the atoning sacrifice for my sins, my dread quicky turns to Joy when I remember the Cross.