New Is Better

by Hugh DeLong

"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world" (Hebrews 1:1-2).

The Bible is God’s word. God, whose knowledge is Infinite, created us with the ability to communicate with Him. He chose to reveal Himself and His will for us through such communication. God spoke. This is the foundation of the Bible: God speaking to man.

Here in Hebrews 1, we learn that in times past (to the fathers) He spoke in many ways: History, Wisdom, Prose, but also by dreams, audible vocalization, and even using a donkey. This covers the whole of the Old Testament: the Patriarchal era (before the law of Moses), and the Mosaic era of Israel living under the Law. This has been written, saved, and translated for us in the Old Testament section of our Bibles.

But now He has spoken through Jesus. Jesus spoke audibly while he was on earth; the chosen apostles wrote down (with the help of the Holy Spirit) His teaching, and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, wrote further history and letters that have been compiled into our 27 books of the New Testament.
The Hebrew writer will later contrast the first covenant with the second covenant (cp. Heb. 8). The Old Testament is useful for learning history and the plan of God, and also great principles that help us live godly lives. The New Testament, however, is our source for learning Christ’s instructions.

In Hebrews, we will repeatedly compare these two covenants. The conclusion is reached that the new is better than the Old. In fact, the word ‘better’ will be found some 13 times in this book.