Why was a second covenant needed?
A second covenant was needed because the first covenant of Law was not faultless from mankind’s perspective. Man could not keep it, and the Law had no power to help him obey; it could only condemn. So God promised a new covenant, not according to the covenant made with their fathers.
Les explains from Hebrews 8:7–8 that if the first covenant—the Law of Moses—had been faultless, there would have been no place sought for a second. It was perfect from God’s perspective, but not from mankind’s. Finding fault with them, God said He would make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not according to the covenant He made with their fathers. The Mosaic Law was faulty from man’s perspective because man couldn’t keep it; the Law had no power to help mankind keep it, no power to stop stealing or adultery. All it could do was condemn. The new covenant brings living under the Law of the Spirit, with the Spirit indwelling us.
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
More Questions
What does the wording 'if that first covenant had been faultless' imply?
When the Bible says 'if that first covenant had been faultless,' it implies that the first covenant was not faultless; it was faulty.