The Old Covenant, often referred to as the Mosaic Covenant, was established between God and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai. It is detailed primarily in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. While the Old Covenant was foundational in establishing the identity and religious practices of the Israelites, it also had inherent limitations that are addressed and fulfilled in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.

1. Temporary and Preparatory Nature

The Old Covenant was designed to be temporary and preparatory, pointing towards the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of a New Covenant. The Apostle Paul explains in Galatians 3:24-25 , "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." The law served as a tutor, highlighting the need for a savior and preparing the people for the coming of Christ.

2. Inability to Perfect the Conscience

The sacrifices and rituals of the Old Covenant were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper fully. Hebrews 10:1-4 states, "The law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." The repetitive nature of the sacrifices underscored their insufficiency in dealing with sin permanently.

3. External Regulations

The Old Covenant focused heavily on external regulations and rituals, which could not transform the heart. In Jeremiah 31:31-33 , God promises a New Covenant, saying, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people." The New Covenant promises an internal transformation, writing God's law on the hearts of His people.

4. Conditional and Dependent on Human Obedience

The Old Covenant was conditional, based on the obedience of the Israelites to God's laws. Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. However, the Israelites repeatedly failed to uphold their end of the covenant, leading to judgment and exile. This conditionality highlighted the need for a covenant that would not rely solely on human faithfulness.

5. Limited Access to God

Under the Old Covenant, access to God was limited. The presence of God dwelt in the Holy of Holies, and only the high priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). This separation emphasized the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. In contrast, the New Covenant, through the sacrifice of Jesus, provides believers with direct access to God. Hebrews 10:19-22 encourages believers, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith."

6. National and Ethnic Focus

The Old Covenant was primarily focused on the nation of Israel, setting them apart as God's chosen people. However, God's plan of salvation was always intended to extend to all nations. Isaiah 49:6 reveals this broader purpose: "I will also make you a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." The New Covenant fulfills this promise, as seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God (Ephesians 2:11-22).

These limitations of the Old Covenant underscore the necessity and superiority of the New Covenant, which is established on better promises and mediated by Jesus Christ, the perfect high priest.