Definition: In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Hebrews 8:13. It's a really interesting and symbolic passage about God’s relationship with humanity and how His plan works over time. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Think of it like this: “A new covenant” : God is making a new agreement with us, a different kind of promise than the one we had before. It's not just about our forgiveness or our relationship – it’s about a fundamental shift in how God sees us and how He wants to interact with us. “He hath made the first old” : The "old" refers to the entire history of humanity – our sin, our brokenness, our struggles, and our eventual separation from God. It's been a long, complicated journey where we’ve strayed from His perfect plan. “Is ready to vanish away” : This is the key part. The old covenant (the agreement before) isn’t strong enough to keep us forever. It’s decaying and becoming old – that means it's losing its power, its effectiveness, and its ability to protect us. It's fading away, becoming weak and ultimately disappearing. Putting it all together: Hebrews 8:13 is saying that God has established a new covenant – a new agreement – with humanity. And this new covenant is old , meaning it’s been around for a very long time. But, because of sin and brokenness in the past, this old covenant isn't strong enough to keep us forever. It's destined to fade away, becoming irrelevant as we move towards a future where God’s perfect relationship with us is fully realized. In essence, it speaks about the ongoing nature of God’s plan and the eventual triumph of His goodness over evil. What does this mean for us today? It's a reminder that our faith isn't just about past salvation – it’s about the promise of eternal life with God. God is consistently working to maintain and strengthen that relationship, even as we stumble and fall. It emphasizes that God will ultimately win! --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Provide a related story or analogy?