“concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:10).
Most of us are undoubtedly familiar with the concept of an expiration date. For instance, many grocery store items carry a “sell by” date that tells a consumer when it is safe to consume various food products. However, many other products, including batteries, medications, coupons, games, and contests, also carry expiration dates as well. Once those commodities exceed their date parameters, they often become spoiled, useless, or invalid.
In a similar manner, the Old Covenant means of relating to God carried an “expiration date” as well. That expiration date was reached when the Old Covenant was replaced by the New Covenant that was initiated through Jesus’ sacrificial death. The Gospel of Matthew records how Jesus established that Covenant at the Last Supper with His disciples…
“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom'” (Matthew 26:27-29).
While the civil, ceremonial, and moral laws enacted under the Old Covenant have much to teach us, they lacked the transformative power necessary to change the hearts and cleanse the consciences of those who sought to approach God under them. Thus, the external regulations related to the Old Covenant were “imposed until the time of reformation.” That reformation occurred when Jesus invalidated the Old Covenant through His atoning death.
One Biblical scholar provides us with some additional insight into the word “reformation” as it is found here in Hebrews 9:10…
“The word translated ‘reformation’ is interesting and important. It is diorthosis, from the verb diorthoo. The word means in its physical sense the making straight, the restoring to its natural and normal condition, something which in some way protrudes or has gotten out of line, as for instance broken or misshapen limbs. It means ‘to set things to rights.’
…The word in its context here means ‘to bring matters to a satisfactory state.’ It refers to the introduction of the New Testament which latter displaces the First Testament. The First Testament never was satisfactory, so far as offering a sacrifice that could pay for sin was concerned. It could not actually in itself save the believer.” (1)
(1) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [Hebrews 9:10] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.