Hebrews 7:18,19 - A better hope is introduced

7:18

Up to this point the argument has primarily been positive, i.e. the Melchizedek priesthood was introduced at the time of Abraham, and that the Messiah would be a priest in the line of Melchizedek. Now the argument will develop and highlight the weakness of the Law. When we read this we might be tempted to think this means the Law was useless or was a mistake. This is not so. The Law pointed the way forward, it anticipated Christ. The writer begins by saying that the “former commandment” was “weak and useless”. The Law did not work in the sense that it did not effectively deal with the problem of man's sinfulness, even Israel’s sinfulness.

7:19

“For the Law made nothing perfect”. Again we have the implicit assumption that the goal is perfection. Conversely, the gospel introduces a better hope. The Law produced eternal frustration, for one could never reach the standard. The gospel produces eternal hope, and enables us to draw near to God. The gospel will lead to us living better lives, but at the heart is that it enables us to draw near to God.