Hebrews 8
Pattern of Christ to a better covenantverses 1-6
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the SUM
We have such a high priest
WHO is set on the right hand of the
throne of the Majesty in the heavens
A minister of the sanctuary – and of true tabernacle
which the Lord pitched – and not man
FOR every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices
wherefore it is of necessity that this MAN have somewhat
also to offer
FOR IF HE were on earth – HE should not be a priest
seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things
as Moses was admonished of God when he was
about to make the tabernacle
For See says HE
that you make all things according to the pattern
showed to you in the mount
BUT now has HE obtained a MORE EXCELLENT ministry
by how much also HE is the MEDIATOR of a
BETTER COVENANT
which was established upon
BETTER PROMISES
Description of the new covenantverses 7-13
FOR if that first covenant had been faultless
THEN should no place have been sought for the second
FOR finding fault with them – HE says
Behold the days come – says the Lord
when I will make a NEW COVENANT
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah
Not according to the covenant that I made with their
fathers in the day when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of the land of Egypt
Because they continued not in MY covenant
and I regarded them not – says the Lord
FOR this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days – says the Lord
I will put MY laws into their minds
and write them in their hearts
and I will be to them a God
and they shall be to ME a people
and they shall not teach every man his neighbor
and every man his brother saying
Know the Lord – for all shall know ME
from the least to the greatest
FOR I will be merciful to their unrighteousness – sins – iniquities
will I remember no more
In that HE said – A NEW COVENANT
HE has made the first old
Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 Who serve to the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, says he, that you make all things according to the pattern showed to you in the mount. (5537 “admonished” [chrematizo] means be warned of God, to teach from heaven, to be divinely commanded, instructed, reveal divine message, disclose, to consult, make known a divine warning, to give advice to enquirers, or to utter an oracle)
DEVOTION: When we read the Old Testament, we sometimes wish that the LORD would speak to us in the same way. HE walked in the Garden with Adam and Eve. HE met Abraham on many occasions in his camp. HE wrestled with Jacob. Jacob received a vision of a ladder to heaven. There are so many illustrations of the LORD talking directly with HIS people. HE spoke the Ten Commandments first to the children of Israel and they asked HIM never to speak again.
Too often we forget that after Moses saw the pattern of the tabernacle in heaven, he built it to that example. He didn’t forget the details. Every detail was important to God and HE made sure that Moses followed HIS pattern.
Jesus Christ came to this earth in the form of a man to give us an example to follow. HE gave us a pattern for the Christian life. HE gave the good the bad and the ugly of dealing with people of faith and those without faith.
HE sent the Holy Spirit to help us deal with every situation that could be sent our way. HE gave us gifts to use in the local church. HE gave us instructions to reach out to the world with the message. HE also showed us that people rejected HIS message.
So even, Jesus Christ didn’t cause everyone to become a believer. HE presented what was necessary to be a follower of HIS and gave them the choice to follow or not to follow. They made the decision. The rich young ruler chose not to follow HIM. Many of those we witness to will chose not to follow HIM but we have to continue to follow HIS example and reach everyone within our reach with the message of the Gospel.
CHALLENGE: Moses was warned to follow the pattern he saw in heaven. We are warned to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Never give up on being a true witness for the LORD. Jesus didn’t give up on individuals even on the cross.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 6 But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (2909 “better” [kreitton] means stronger, superior, more prominent, more useful, nobler, higher in rank, preferable, more excellent, or more serviceable.)
DEVOTION: This word is used thirteen times in this book (1:4; 6:9; 7:7,19,22; 8:6 twice; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; 12:24).
1. Christ BETTER than angels
2. BETTER things
3. Less is blessed of the BETTER
4. BETTER hope
5. BETTER testament
6. BETTER covenant
7. BETTER promises
8. BETTER sacrifices
9. Heaven a BETTER and an enduring substance
10. BETTER country
11. BETTER resurrection
12. BETTER thing for us
13. BETTER things than that of Abel
Throughout the book of Hebrews there is a contrast between the old covenant and the new covenant. The list above gives us an idea of all the things that are different in this age of grace as compared to the age of the law.
The LORD gave the commandments to teach man that he can’t live a mature life before God. Man has tried to prove that he can live a good life without God. The Law of Moses served the purpose of showing man that he was a sinner and needed a Savior. The sacrifices of the Old Testament looked forward to Christ. The tabernacle in the wilderness was made after the pattern of the tabernacle in heaven.
Moses followed the Lord’s commands in the building of the tabernacle. The priesthood of the Old Testament was made up of men who had to offer a sacrifice for their sins first before they offered a sacrifice for the people.
Christ came as a perfect, sinless Savior to offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins. We live with a stronger covenant than those who lived in the Old Testament times. We live with stronger promises than those who lived in the Old Testament times. How are they stronger? Our covenant and promises are based on the blood of Christ. Their covenant and promises were based on the blood of a lamb or other animal. Our covenant and promises are based on an high priest who is making intercession for us from heaven. Their covenant and promises are based on a high priest who had to make a sacrifice for his sins before he could make a sacrifice for their sins. Our covenant and promises are based on a high priest that offered one sacrifice only. Their covenant and promises were based on a high priest who offered sacrifices daily.
We need to count our blessings. Do we realize how rich we are in Christ? Do we thank HIM often for all our blessings? Are we sharing our blessings with others?
CHALLENGE: Some days it doesn’t seem like we have it so good but if we keep a record we can see how much the LORD has blessed us and given us. Keep the record!!!
: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, Says the Lord. (1242 “covenant” [diatheke] means testament, disposition, arrangement, compact, or treaty)
DEVOTION: Is God surprised by the actions of human beings? Do you think that HE made a plan that HE knew wouldn’t work just to teach HIS people that they were disobedient? Too often we think that we influence God rather than HIM influencing us.
God has to show us that HE knows the human heart. HE knew before the foundation of the world that Adam and Eve would eat of the fruit. HE knew from the foundation of the world that the children of Israel were going to disobey, so that, HE had to send them into captivity.
HE knew before the foundation of the world that HE was going to send HIS Son to die on the cross for the sins of the world. HE knew that the sacrificial system set up for the children of Israel was going to be just a pattern of things to come.
God is never surprised. HE is not forming a plan B because of our actions. HE knew our actions and HE knew our hearts.
HE wanted us to understand these facts. HE shows us what HE expects and gives us a way to escape every temptation but we continue to fail to follow HIS escape plan.
We need to realize that the only way we can have salvation is by HIM giving us a gift. The gift of salvation is offered to all according to the New Covenant. There is not going to be one individual standing before HIM at the Great White Throne Judgment who can say I didn’t know your plan. I have had a chance. They would be lying.
In the heart of every individual they are given enough instruction through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to understand the choice they have to make. Have you made the right choice?
CHALLENGE: The New Covenant is available to you now!!! We are to remain faithful!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (2436 “merciful” [hileos] means propitious, gracious, favorably, forgiving, or outward manifestation of pity)
DEVOTION: Throughout the Word of God we are given indications that the LORD is a forgiving God. HE loved those who HE created so much that HE sent HIS Son to die on the cross for their sins.
HE gives everyone an opportunity to become a follower of Jesus Christ. HE gave the Holy Spirit to indwell those who are believers. The Holy Spirit also convicts, everyone of their sin. HE makes sure they understand that they have a choice to make.
Once the choice is made to become a follower of Jesus Christ, HE forgives their sins and remembers them no more. HE makes a choice to not remember our sins. HE knows all and will never lose anything that HE knows. HE is omniscient. HE knows our life from beginning to end. HE could keep a record of all of our sins but HE chooses to not remember them because of the blood of Jesus Christ.
HE wants to manifest HIS mercy to all those who believe. HE is not going to give us what we desire which is eternity in the lake of fire.
This is one of the great promises of the Bible. Satan wants to bring up our past to inform us that God can’t love us because of our sin. He is a liar. He can only try to cause us to become discouraged.
I talked with an individual recently who stated that because of his sickness he is home most of the time with too much time to think. His thoughts are turned toward all the sins he has ever committed even though he knows they are forgiven. The problem is that our enemy likes to cause us to doubt our relationship with Jesus Christ.
CHALLENGE: We have to know who Jesus is and remember HIS promise to never leave us or forsake us. Once we have been put into the hands of the Father we can never be taken out of HIS hand.
:13 In that he says, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away. (854 “vanish” [aphanismos] means 1 disappearance. 2 destruction. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: God had made a covenant with His people, the children of Israel, based on His appearance to them at Sinai. This Mosaic covenant was based on their observance of the Law which was given to them. If they did what God required, God said He would prosper them, but if they did not do what God required, God would punish them. However, the Old Testament shows how the children of Israel failed to keep the covenant from the time of Joshua onwards. This patterns our continued sinfulness and rebellion against God. The result was that the kingdom of Judah went into captivity under Nebuchadnezzar.
Since they had failed to keep God’s old covenant, God made a promise to replace it with a new covenant which was also based on His character (Jeremiah 9:23-24). This new covenant would be one which God would place in their hearts. This occurred as a result of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.
That is why Jesus’ death satisfied all the requirements of the old (Mosaic) covenant, and consequently this covenant was set aside (vanished away). He was the only perfect man who could fully comply with the requirements of this covenant. His perfection is given to us positional when we receive Jesus Christ as our savior.
CHALLENGE: Realize that God knows that there is no way for you to fully satisfy a system of do’s and don’ts. When you do this, you will realize what grace is all about. (MW)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Sanctuaryverse 2
True tabernacleverse 2
Priest to offer gifts and sacrificesverse 3
Priest offer gifts according to the lawverse 4
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Lawverse 4
First covenantverse 7
Second covenantverse 7
Lawsverse 10
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Majestyverse 1
Throne of the Majestyverse 1
Lordverses 2, 8-11
Godverses 5, 10
Mercifulverse 12
Remember no moreverse 12
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
High Priestverses 1, 3, 4
Right hand of the throneverse 1
Ministerverse 2
Lord verses 2, 8-11
Ordainedverse 3
Manverse 3
More excellent ministryverse 6
Mediator of a better covenantverse 6
Better promisesverse 6
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Egyptverse 9
Neighborverse 11
Brotherverse 11
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Faultlessverse 7
Faultverse 8
Continued not in covenantverse 9
Unrighteousnessverse 12
Sinsverse 12
Iniquityverse 12
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Admonishedverse 5
Pattern to followverse 5
Better covenantverse 6
Better promisesverse 6
Law of God in our mindsverse 10
Law of God written in heartsverse 10
People of Godverse 10
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Every high priest ordainedverse 3
Priests according to the lawverse 4
Example and shadow of heavenly thingsverse 5
Mosesverse 5
Admonished of God
Make the tabernacle
Pattern shown
First covenant was not faultlessverses 7, 10
House of Israelverses 8, 10
House of Judahverse 8
Out of the land of Egyptverse 9
First covenant oldverse 13
Decayed
Waxed old
Vanished away
Church (New Testament people of God)
More excellent ministryverse 6
New covenantverses 8, 13
Laws in their mindsverse 10
Write them on their heartsverse 10
Peopleverse 10
Least to greatestverse 11
Last Things (Future Events)
Heavensverse 1
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QUOTES regarding passage
6 The ministry of priests in a sanctuary made according to the heavenly pattern is obviously one of great dignity. But the author’s point is that Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly archetype is of incomparably greater dignity and worth. He chooses to bring this out by using a comparison of the two covenants. Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant. “Mediator” is a legal term for one who arbitrates between two parties. The thought is that Christ mediates between men and God; it is he who establishes the new covenant (for this latter term see comments 7:22). This new covenant is better than the old because it is “founded on better promises.” Calvin reminds us that “the same salvation” was promised to the ancients (in loc.). But the new covenant is explicitly based on the forgiveness of sins, as the author goes on to show; and the better promises may be held to refer to the concentration on spiritual things in the new covenant (there is a good deal about possessing the land and the like in the old covenant) and in its unconditional nature. ([1] Morris, L. (1981). Hebrews. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 76). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
But now (νυν δε [nun de]). Logical use of νυν [nun], as the case now stands, with Jesus as high priest in heaven. Hath he obtained (τετυχεν [tetuchen]). Perfect active indicative of τυγχανω [tugchanō] with the genitive, a rare and late form for τετευχεν [teteuchen] (also τετευχηκεν [teteuchēken]), old verb to hit the mark, to attain. A ministry the more excellent (διαφορωτερας λειτουργιας [diaphorōteras leitourgias]). “A more excellent ministry.” For the comparative of διαφορος [diaphoros] see 1:4. This remark applies to all the five points of superiority over the Levitical priesthood. By how much (ὁσῳ [hosōi]). Instrumental case of the relative ὁσος [hosos] between two comparative adjectives as in 1:4. The mediator (μεσιτης [mesitēs]). Late word from μεσος [mesos] (amid) and so a middle man (arbitrator). Already in Gal. 3:19f. and see 1 Tim. 2:5. See Heb. 9:15; 12:24 for further use with διαθηκη [diathēkē]. Of a better covenant (κρειττονος διαθηκης [kreittonos diathēkēs]). Called “new” (καινης, νεας [kainēs, neas] in 9:15; 12:24). For διαθηκη [diathēkē] see Matt. 26:28; Luke 1:72; Gal. 3:17, etc. This idea he will discuss in 8:7–13. Hath been enacted (νενομοθετηται [nenomothetētai]). Perfect passive indicative of νομοθετεω [nomotheteō] as in 7:11 which see. Upon better promises (ἐπι κρειττοσιν ἐπαγγελιαις [epi kreittosin epaggeliais]). Upon the basis of (ἐπι [epi]). But how “better” if the earlier were also from God? This idea, alluded to in 6:12–17, Will be developed in 10:19 to 12:3 with great passion and power. Thus it is seen that “better” (κρεισσων [kreissōn]) is the keynote of the Epistle. At every point Christianity is better than Judaism. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Heb 8:6). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press)
8:3–6. Here is an initial, preliminary elaboration of the new theme. Since the role of a priest involved gifts (dōra) and sacrifices (thysias; cf. 5:1; 9:9), it follows that this new High Priest should have something to offer. Nevertheless His service cannot be an earthly one since the Levitical ritual of sacrifice continued. (These words imply that the Jewish temple was still standing.) But the sanctuary used for that is a mere copy (hypodeigmati; cf. 9:23–24) and shadow (skia; cf. 10:1) of the heavenly one in which the new Priest ministers. Its status as a “shadow sanctuary” was secured when Moses erected the tabernacle (prototype of the temple) under strict divine direction (8:5). But Jesus’ ministry surpasses that of the Levitical priests just as the covenant He mediates supersedes theirs. (The word Mediator is used of Jesus by the author three times—8:6; 9:15; 12:24.) The word ministry (leitourgia, cf. “serves,” 8:2) again strikes the pivotal note, but it is now added that the superiority of the new priestly service is related to a superior covenant, which in turn is founded on better promises. Both the covenant and its promises will now be considered. (Hodges, Z. C. (1985). Hebrews. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 800). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)
Ver. 6. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, &c.] Christ has a ministry, he is the minister of the sanctuary, ver. 2 he has obtained this ministry of his father; he was called unto it and engaged in it by him; and he has now obtained it; for though he was called to it from eternity, it was in time he came an high-priest of good things to come; and his ministry is a more excellent one than that of the priests, who offered gifts according to the law, and served to the example and shadow of heavenly things; as abundantly appears from the preceding chapter, and from this, as well as from what follows: by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant; the covenant of grace, as administered under the Gospel dispensation; which is not only better than the covenant of works, that being conditional, this absolute; that stood on the foot of works, this on the foot of grace, and is established in Christ; that being broken and made void, this continues; and not only better than the covenant of the Levitical priesthood, which was but a typical one, and is now ceased, but also than the covenant of grace, as administered under the legal dispensation; being better than that, as to the manner of its manifestation, which is more full and clear; and as to the extent of its administration, reaching to Gentiles as well as Jews; and as to the ratification of it by the blood of Christ, called from thence the blood of the everlasting covenant; and as to the promises of it, here said to be better: which was established upon better promises; which are not now delivered out as before, under the figure of earthly and temporal things; nor under a condition to be performed nor confined to a particular people and nation; and which are attended with a greater measure of the spirit, to open and apply them; and are all secured in Christ Jesus, and confirmed by his blood: and now of this covenant Christ is the Mediator; a mediator is of more persons than one, and of these at variance; and he is a middle person between both; and his business is to bring both parties together, and make peace between them: the two parties in this case are God and man, set at a distance from each other by the sin of man, whereby man is become enmity to God; Christ is the Mediator between God and man, a middle person between both, being both God and man, the days-man, who lays his hands on both; who brings men to God that were afar off, and makes peace for them by the blood of his cross, and satisfies the justice of God, which he has done by the sacrifice of himself; and now appears in the presence of God for them, and intercedes for them, and applies the blessings of the covenant to them by his spirit, and keeps and preserves them safe to his everlasting kingdom; and for this office he is every way fit, and in this he excels the Levitical priests, and has a ministry superior to theirs, since he is such a Mediator, and a Mediator of such a covenant. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 424). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
First, we have an improved covenant. The Lord Jesus, our great High Priest has “obtained a more excellent ministry” and is also “the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (8:6). When Moses presented Israel with “the first covenant,” the people foolishly abandoned the ground of grace and put themselves under the law. “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do,” they said, and Moses “returned the words of the people unto the Lord” (Ex. 19:8). It was the answer of complete ignorance. Before long they were making the golden calf and exposing themselves to such wrath that, had not Moses assumed the role of mediator, their whole history would have ended then and there (Ex 32:1–14). Instead of that kind of a covenant, we have an unconditional one, an improved one, indeed, in which God has assumed all the commitments. It is a covenant that cannot fail because the Lord Jesus, who fulfilled to the letter every last demand of the Mosaic covenant, has undertaken to administer and mediate the new one. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Hebrews: An Expository Commentary (Heb 8:6). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Last year many churches reported no new members on confession of faith. Why these meager results with this tremendous expenditure of energy and money? Why are so few people coming into the kingdom? I will tell you what is the matter – there is not a definite effort put forth to persuade a definite person to receive a definite Saviour at a definite time, and that definite time is now.
I tell you the Church of the future must have personal work and prayer. The trouble with some churches is that they think the preacher is a sort of ecclesiastical locomotive, who will snort and puff and pull the whole bunch through to glory.
A politician will work harder to get a vote than the Church of God will work to have men brought to Christ. Watch some of the preachers go down the aisles. They drag along as if they had grindstones tied to their feet.
No political campaign is won by any stump speaker or any spell-binder on the platform. It is won by a man-to-man canvass. (p. 316, “Billy” Sunday: The Man and His Message by William T Ellis)
However, Paul reminds us that prayer and our dependency on God should characterize our attitude in all things. When Paul states that we should “pray continually” (1 Thess. 5:17), he is stating that every moment we should be living in complete recognition of our absolute dependency upon God.
(Developing Leaders for the Small Church by Glenn C. Daman)
THE CROSS HUMBLES US
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 3:7
It is the cross of Christ that brings us all down to the same place. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The differences between nations and groups within them and individuals are nothing when you look at the cross of Christ. We are all miserable, helpless, hopeless sinners.
There is nothing in which we can boast. As the apostle puts it in Philippians 3:7-9, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom,” he says, “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”
Once you really see this message of the cross, you see yourself groveling on the dust and the floor, a miserable failure, a hopeless sinner. You can do nothing, and neither can your neighbor; you are together in your complete helplessness and hopelessness. But thank God it does not leave you there. You both look up together into face of the one and only Savior, the Savior of the world, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” He is not only the Savior of the western world. He is also the Savior of the Iron Curtain.He can save Communists as well as He can save capitalists.
A Thought to Ponder: We are all miserable, helpless, hopeless sinners.
(From The Cross, pp. 147-148, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
After feeding the 5000, Jesus teaches that He is the “Bread of Life.”
INSIGHT Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He often speaks in figures of speech. Sometimes the people understand what those sayings mean; sometimes they don’t. Jesus promises living water to the woman at the well, so she will never thirst. Her reply is: “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?” (John 4:11).And in John 6, Jesus speaks of Himself as a bread even better than the manna in the desert, for He gives eternal life to the whole world, rather than merely physical life to the Hebrews in the desert. Missing his point, his audience says hungrily, “Lord, give us this bread always” (v. 34)He later explains to His disciples, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Jesus reveals the truths behind the figures of speech to His followers. (Quiet Walk)
On April 9, right in the middle of New York’s epic battle against COVID-19, the state legislature passed, and Governor Cuomo signed, a bill that legalizes commercial surrogacy. As of February 15, 2021, residents of New York will be able to enter into legally enforceable surrogacy contracts.
From the beginning to the end, this debate was never driven by any serious consideration of what’s good for women and children, but by “heartstrings rhetoric, celebrity endorsement,” and especially, gay-rights advocates.
As I predicted, the final proposal lacked adequate and necessary safeguards against the exploitation and commodification of women’s bodies, or the commercialization of children. Underscoring the shameful nature of this legislation, proponents secured its passage by subterfuge, smuggling it past both religious conservative and feminist opponents in the mandatory budget measure, even though commercial surrogacy has nothing to do with the state budget.
So now, in New York, amidst all the rhetoric about human dignity, the poor and marginalized, and protecting the vulnerable, lawmakers have kicked wide the door to “potential exploitation of surrogates, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.”
The exploitation of poor women is the subject of a bestselling and award-winning 2019 novel, “The Farm.” In the book, set fittingly in a New York of the not-too-distant future, a tiny, wealthy, highly-unrepresentative slice of the population are the beneficiaries while the poor are exploited.
In real life, as I have said before, commercial surrogacy is led by same-sex couples, who benefit while poor women are exploited. According to an informal study commissioned by the Chicago Tribune in 2016, ten to twenty percent of donor eggs in fertility clinics went to gay men ordering babies through surrogacy. The overall number that represents was, at the time, skyrocketing, up fifty percent in just five years.
Also, when you consider that self-identified gay people make up about 3% of the population, and not all of them are attempting to become “parents” from a lab, you realize just how much this population group is driving the surrogacy movement. Not coincidentally, the sponsors of New York’s law, like the sponsor of the similar 2018 Washington state law, are openly gay.
Both of these laws reflect the most destructive cultural views of our time. One idea is that “love is love,” which, if you remember, was the slogan behind the advance of same-sex marriage.
The problem is that the slogan is Gnostic. It only makes sense if we pretend bodies don’t exist and if we exclude biological realities from any consideration of what “love” means. Once that’s done, those who have intentionally chosen sterile unions, arguing in fact that procreation is irrelevant to such unions, can now demand the right to have children.
Not only that, but the “love is love” mantra is extended beyond procreation to parenting, as if there were no differences between a mother’s love and a father’s love and as if intentionally depriving children of one or the other is completely acceptable.
After demanding children without sex, we now impose on those children an upbringing without a mom or a dad, intentionally, as if a second dad could replace a mom or a second mom could replace a dad. It’s the final chapter in the long and brutal history of the sexual revolution’s most terrible myth: “the kids will be fine.”
But they’re not, and neither are poor women, who are made even more vulnerable to exploitation by commercializing their bodies. India, whose per capita GDP is three percent that of New York’s, sees this, and that’s why they banned surrogacy.
Katy Faust of the children’s rights group Them Before Us and a speaker at our upcoming Truth. Love. Together. live event, puts it this way: “…abortion and reproductive technologies [like surrogacy,] are two sides of the same child-commodifying coin.
Abortion says, ‘If a child is unwanted, I can force her out of existence even if it violates her right to life.’ [Surrogacy] says, “If a child is wanted, I can force her into existence, even if it violates her right to her mother and father.”
This New York law is shameful. Like all bad ideas, it will leave victims in its wake. Especially women and children. Publication date: April 15, 2020 Break Point
The Light and the Sun
“The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.” (Psalm 74:16)
One of the traditional “discrepancies” attributed by the skeptics to the Genesis account of creation is the fact that there was “light” (Hebrew or) on the first day of the creation week, whereas God did not create the “lights” (Hebrew ma-or) to rule the day and the night until the fourth day.
However, it is interesting that modern evolutionary cosmologists find no problem in having light before the sun. According to their speculative reconstruction of cosmic history, light energy was produced in the imaginary “Big Bang” 15 billion years ago, whereas the sun “evolved” only five billion years ago. Thus, even in their attempts to destroy the divine revelation of Genesis, they inadvertently find it necessary to return to its concepts. Light energy somehow had to be “prepared” before the sun and other stars could ever be set up to serve as future generators of light energy. The fact that light is an entity independent of the sun and other heavenly bodies is one of the remarkable scientific insights of the Bible. As the basic form of energy (even intrinsic in the very nature of matter, as expressed in the famous Einstein equation), it is significant that the first recorded word spoken by the Creator was “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).
In this chapter, the psalmist is entreating the Lord of light, the Creator of all things, to deliver His people from those who are seeking to destroy all genuine faith in the true God of heaven. “The tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually” (Psalm 74:23). Nevertheless, “God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth” (v. 12). The mighty God of creation, who established and controls all the basic energies of the cosmos and their manifestation on the earth, is fully able to defeat His enemies and establish His people. We can be sure of that.
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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