Does Hebrews 8:13 teach that the Torah is abolished?
"By calling this covenant 'new,' He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear'' (Hebrews 8:13).
Sadly, it is a fundamental belief in the Church that the Epistle to the Hebrews teaches replacement theology. Replacement theology is the belief that the Christian church has replaced Israel in God's covenant plan. This false theological perspective holds that God's promises to the Jewish people - including those found in the Hebrew Scriptures - are now fulfilled through the Church, rather than through the Jewish people.
Replacement theology is widely criticized for being both theologically flawed and anti-Semitic. Here is why:
1. Biblical Covenant Continuity - The Hebrew Scriptures emphasize God's eternal covenant with Israel, such as in Genesis 17:1, Where God promises an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Replacement theology contradicts this by claiming that the Church has superseded Israel.
2. Misinterpretation of Scripture - Critics argue that Replacement theology relies on allegorical interpretations of biblical texts, ignoring the literal promises made to Israel. For example, Romans 11 explicitly states that God has not rejected His people.
3. Selective Exclusion - Replacement theology often disregards prophecies about Israel's restoration, such as those found in Isaiah 11 and Ezekiel 36, which affirm Israel's ongoing role in God's plan.
Before, I continue to write about Hebrews 8:13, let me say a few more words on Replacement theology. This doctrine has fueled anti-Jewish attitude throughout history, contributing to discrimination and persecution of Jewish communities. By falsely claiming that the Church has replaced Israel, this theology undermines the spiritual and cultural significance of Jewish identity and heritage. It dismisses the unique role of Israel in God's redemptive plan, fostering attitudes that devalue Jewish contributions to faith and history.
The author of Hebrews does not mean the Torah is abolished but rather that the New Covenant is a renewal and fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.
It's important to understand that the term 'new' does not imply rejection of the Sinai Covenant but rather a deepening of God's relationship with His people. Yeshua (Jesus) is seen as the heavenly high priest of the New Covenant, bringing spiritual restoration rather than replacing Jewish identity.
If you interpret Hebrews 8:13, to mean that the Law of God is abolish then that contradicts the words of our Master in Matthew 5:17:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.''
Yeshua (Jesus) says, don't even think that I have come to do away with the Sinai Covenant or the Laws within the Torah, but I have come to properly interpret and obey them.
Our Master says in Matthew 5:18: "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.''
This affirms the enduring nature of the Torah, rather than abolishing it. Yeshua (Jesus) is seen as upholding the Torah, teaching its true intent rather than replacing it. Also, the Torah remains relevant until God's redemptive plan is fully realized; meaning not everything is accomplished.
The phrase ''not the smallest letter'' refers to the yod, the smallest Hebrew letter, reinforcing the idea that every detail of the Torah matters.
With the above understanding, it is impossible for the author of Hebrews to be saying that the Sinai Covenant is abolish or done away with.
The author of Hebrews presents Yeshua (Jesus) as the ultimate Kohen Gadol (High Priest) in the heavenly sanctuary, rather than replacing the Levitical priesthood on earth. The author does not disapprove of God's Law, which is actually part of the New Covenant that will be established during the Messianic Age. The author of Hebrews says that the Aaronic priesthood, the Temple in Jerusalem, the Levitical sacrifices, and all of this stuff pertain to the first order, which is this present world, the ''Olam HaZeh.'' But it doesn't pertain to the Olam Habah (The World to Come). The priesthood for the World to Come is the heavenly priest, the priest from the order of Melchizedek. The Sinai Covenant and the Torah pertain to this world. Heaven and earth have not passed away, and this present age is still here. Meaning the Sinai Covenant is still active.
What is becoming obsolete, growing old, and ready to vanish is this present world, the Olam HaZeh. On the Day of the LORD, the present world, will vanish, and the Messiah will bring the World to Come (Olam Habah), and establish the New Covenant and bring about the final redemption.
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