“For the law … can never … make those who approach perfect.” (Heb 10:1, NKJ)
The teaching about the law over the past few days you must please continually link to the table of the showbread, the central metaphor that we’ve been examining over the last number of weeks. What is very important regarding this is that the showbread is also called the “Bread of Presence”, which is important in terms of the correct understanding of our position in the new covenant in relation to the Law.
The concept Law has four levels of possible interpretation. Firstly it points to the Law as the Ten Commandments. Secondly, it is the Ten Commandments including all the Jewish extensions thereof. Thirdly, it refers to the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible that Moses wrote. And fourthly, it is a collective term for the whole Old Testament (which stretches till the resurrection of Jesus, thus including most part of the gospels).
Nothing of the old covenant has passed, but it must be understood in terms of Christ and the new covenant (Matt 5:17). For this reason none of the Old Testament Law – meant in its widest sense – has expired, but it has been incorporated and interpreted through Christ within a new living relationship. It shows a more excellent way, a new and living way (Heb 10:20).
The best way to explain it is in terms of the unfolding manifestation of God’s presence. In the first dimension (= the outer court) it was like with Moses and the bramble bush – the presence of God (Heb 12:29) burnt next to him, outside of him (Ex 3:2). In the second dimension (= the Holy Place) the fire was ON the apostles (Acts 2:3). In the third dimension (= Holy of Holies) the presence of God is IN us (Luke 3:14; Col 1:27). When you eat the Bread of His presence it becomes internalised – it’s no longer on top, it’s inside! The Law is thus not outside you, but in you. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom 8:14).
The “heavenly bread” (Ps 105:40) of the new covenant stands in contrast to the bread that the Adam-generation had to earn by the sweat of their brow (= works) (Gen 3:19). The priestly order of the third dimension may not sweat (Eze 44:18) due to dead works (Heb 6:1; 9:14) that the law requires!
- Sela: It is very important that your mind is renewed in terms of this matter. Pray that the Helper, the Holy Spirit, guides you in the process of Heb 9:14 becoming true in your life.
- Read: Judg 15; Ps 105; Acts 15
- Memorise: Acts 15:16-17
- Going deeper: Read chapter 19 of Juan Carlos Ortiz’s book: Disciple.
