A Scriptural Consideration Entry

“The former commandment is set aside because it is weak and ineffective.“—Hebrews 7:18 (NWT)

There’s something haunting about a shadow.

It hints at the real thing but never quite captures it. It stretches along the ground, bends with the light, but it has no voice, no strength of its own.

For centuries, the Israelites walked alongside a shadow.

Every sacrifice, every ritual under the Mosaic Law was a reminder: the true answer to sin had not yet come. Animals died, but guilt lingered. Hands washed, but hearts stayed stained. No matter how faithfully the Law was kept, it could only outline a hope—not deliver it. (Colossians 2:17)

That’s why, when Jesus offered his perfect life, everything changed. The shadow gave way to the reality.

Paul explained it clearly: the Law, with its sacrifices and rituals, was “set aside” because it was “weak and ineffective.” (Hebrews 7:18) It wasn’t designed to save forever. It was designed to point forward—to Him.

And now, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have “a better hope”—one that actually draws us near to Jehovah, not just in symbol, but in real forgiveness and real relationship. (Hebrews 7:19)

We don’t worship through shadows anymore.

We don’t approach Jehovah nervously, wondering if our offering is enough.

We come to Him through Christ—cleansed, welcomed, heard.

But it’s easy, isn’t it, to sometimes live like we’re still under a shadow? To let guilt from past mistakes hang over us longer than Jehovah does.

To think we need to “earn” His love with rituals, lists, perfect checkboxes.

Paul’s words break through those fears:

The old way is gone. The better hope has come.

Jehovah wants us to understand the gift He has given—the arrangement that fully covers our sins—and approach Him boldly, humbly, and gratefully.

No more living in shadows.

We live in the light of Christ—the real, the lasting, the strong.

—Watchtower October 2023, p. 25, ¶4-5