--If, then, the Old Covenant is the former form of the
covenant with Israel; and the New Covenant the future form of it,
another question is:--Which among the manifold differences of those two
forms are here specially regarded by the Prophet? The answer to this
question is supplied by that which the Prophet declares concerning the
New Covenant. For since it is _not_ to be like the former covenant, the
excellences of the New must be as many defects of the Old. These
excellences, however, are all of a spiritual nature,--first, the
forgiveness of sins, and then the writing of the Law in the heart.
It follows from this, that the blessings of the Old Covenant were
_pre-eminently_ (for we shall afterwards see that an entire absence of
these spiritual blessings cannot be spoken of, and that the difference
between the Old and the New Covenant is, in this respect, a relative
one only, not an absolute one) of an external nature; and this is also
suggested by the circumstance, that it is represented as being
concluded when the people were led out of Egypt; in which fact, all the
later similar deliverances and blessings are comprehended. The Prophet,
if any one, had learned that, in the way hitherto pursued, they could
not successfully continue. The sinfulness of the people had, at his
time, manifested itself in such fearful outbreaks, that, even when
looking at the matter from a human point of view, he could not but feel
most deeply that, with outward blessings and gifts, with an outward
deliverance from servitude, the people were very little benefited. What
is the use of a mercy which, according to divine necessity, must be
immediately followed by a punishment so much the more severe? The
necessary condition for the true and lasting bestowal of outward
salvation, is the bestowal of the internal salvation; without the
latter the former is only a mockery. It is this internal salvation,
therefore, which is the highest aim of the Prophet's longings; to it he
here points as the highest blessing of the Future; compare also chap.
xxxii. 40: "And I make an everlasting covenant with them, and I will no
more turn away from them to do them good, and I will put my fear in
their hearts that they shall not depart from me."--The closing words of
ver. 32 are frequently misunderstood. [Pg 434] The erroneous
interpretation of [Hebrew: awr] by "_quia_," which is found with most
expositors, is of less consequence. [Hebrew: awr] indicates, in
general,