What is the new covenant?
A better covenant because Jesus has given His blood and we should look at the 2 sides of the Old (God's and mans) and ask what was wrong with God's part in the old?
Was God wrong or did God make any mistakes in His part of the Old covenant.
No.
The people failed on their part.
They failed to love God with all their hearts. They did understand.
Now let us look to Paul's words about the new and old covenant.
Gal 4:22-26
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
To understand this you need to read all the context. ALL THE CONTEXT.
Gal 5:3-7 KJV 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Much is said about circumcision, and the law. Walking in freedom and not in bondage.
Read it.
But which law is Paul referring to?
WHICH LAW.
Gal 3:16-19
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
The law was added because of transgression 430 years after the promise was given to AbAbraham.
And was only until the seed should come.
And was ordained by Angels in the hand of a mediator.
Clearly this is not the 10 commandments.
The law of adultery and coveting and lying was present before Sinai.
But the cerimonial laws were added at mount Sinai. Because of sin they were given the sanctuary services to confess their sins etc.
The cerimonial laws ended at the cross because Jesus was the lamb that these laws were all a type of. The real thing had come. No longer earthly but now the blood of Jesus was able to be used in the heavenly. Read Hebrews.
And the ten commandments were given by God directly to the people. But God directed Moses over time to give the people the laws contained in ordinances and ceremonies.
Circumcision is not in the 10 commandments.
Gal 3:24-25 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
No longer under this school master...
These shadow laws are gone.
But murder and lying and adultery and taking God's name in vain are still laws that we should obey.
So which law was unto bondage?
Gal 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
The distinction between the law as a yoke of bondage and the law of liberty lies entirely in one’s relationship with Jesus Christ and the motive behind their obedience. When the law is viewed as a way to earn salvation or is kept through human strength alone, it becomes a galling yoke of bondage; however, when written in the heart by the Holy Spirit, it becomes a perfect law of liberty and a source of supreme joy.
Knowing that the cerimonial laws ended at the cross, Paul was upset that the Galations were being persuaded to obey these old laws. Circumcision being one...
While many regard the seventh-day Sabbath as a yoke, for the believer it is a delight and a memorial of God’s power that brings peace and freedom
Exodus 20:8-11. Those who walk in harmony with the law of God are not under its condemnation but walk at liberty.
James calls it the law of liberty.
The new covenant is better because Jesus writes it in our hearts and we obey because we love Jesus.