One of the most difficult questions in describing the history of redemption is to give a clear, concise, account of the differences between the old and new covenants. When I say “old covenant” I’m not referring to everything that happened before the incarnation of God the Son. According to 2Corinthians 3, Galatians 3–4, and Hebrews 7–10, the old covenant strictly speaking refers to the Mosaic covenant (roughly 1500 BC to the death of Christ). When the prophet Jeremiah described the “new covenant” he contrasted it with Moses, not with Noah or Abraham. In that case it’s important that we understand how the old covenant is pictured in Scripture and the ways it is like and not like the new. Here’s a recent sermon on Exodus 24 where the old covenant is shown to be legal, bloody, and gracious.

Post authored by:

• R. Scott Clark

  

  R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He is professor emeritus of church history and historical theology at Westminster Seminary California, where he taught for 29 years. He also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007 and the Heidelcast since 2009.

  More by R. Scott Clark ›