Verse 10, 11, 12
The design of the Apostle, or what is the general argument which he is in pursuit of, must still be born in mind throughout the consideration of the testimonies he produceth in the confirmation of it. And this is to prove, that the Lord Christ is the Mediator and Surety of a better Covenant than that wherein the service of God was managed by the High Priests according to the Law. For hence it follows, that his Priesthood is greater and far more excellent than theirs. To this end he does not only prove that God promised to make such a Covenant, but also declares the nature and properties of it in the words of the Prophet. And so by comparing it with the former Covenant, he manifests its excellency above it. In particular in this testimony the imperfection of that Covenant is demonstrated from its issue. For it did not effectually continue peace and mutual love between God and the people; but being broken by them, they were thereon rejected of God. This rendered all the other benefits and advantages of it useless. Therefore the Apostle insists from the Prophet on these properties of this other Covenant, which infallibly prevent the like issue, securing the people's obedience for ever, and so the love and relation of God to them as their God.
Therefore these three verses give us a description of that Covenant whereof the Lord Christ is the Mediator and Surety not absolutely and entirely, but as to those properties and effects of it wherein it differs from the former, so as infallibly to secure the Covenant relation between God and the people. That Covenant was broken, but this shall never be so, because provision is made in the Covenant itself against any such event.
And we may consider in the words,
- 1. The Particle of Introduction [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], answering the Hebrew [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]. - 2. The Subject spoken of, which is [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], with the way of making it, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], which I will make. - 3. The Author of it, The Lord Jehovah; I will, says the Lord. - 4. Those with whom it was to be made, The House of Israel. - 5. The time of making it, After those days. - 6. The Properties, Privileges, and Benefits of this Covenant, which are of two sorts.
First, Of sanctifying, inherent grace; described by a double consequent.
(1) Of God's relation to them, and theirs to him; I will be their God, and they shall be my people, ver. 10.
(2) Of their advantage thereby, without the use of such other aids as formerly they stood in need of, ver. 11.
2dly, Of relative grace, in the pardon of their sins, ver. 12. And sundry things of great weight will fall into consideration under these several heads.
