The Old Covenant served as a schoolmaster to the ancient Israelites, reflecting God's intention in His dealings with them. It was not His purpose at that time to save those people, but rather to produce a historical record for the Church of God to understand His actions more clearly and apply them appropriately to our lives. As Deuteronomy 29:4 reveals, the Lord had not given them a heart to perceive, eyes to see, or ears to hear, indicating their carnal nature. Consequently, God provided a carnal approach through the Old Covenant, akin to a schoolmaster guiding through strict, external rules. This approach, characterized by the letter of the law, is contrasted with the life-giving Spirit under the New Covenant. As II Corinthians 3:5-9 explains, the Old Covenant's administration, described as the ministration of death, was glorious yet temporary, unable to provide life. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life, showing a shift from a rigid, carnal enforcement to a spiritual application that vitalizes and transforms. Under the Old Covenant, God did not promise His Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sin, access to His presence, or eternal life, which are now available through the New Covenant. The change in administration, not the abolition of laws, is central to this transition. Jesus Christ raised the civil law from its mere carnal application to the nation of Israel to a spiritual application for the church, drawn from all mankind. The Old Covenant's administration and enforcement were set aside because the church lacks civil authority over the state, unlike the Old Covenant system. However, the laws themselves remain, now ministered with the opportunity to impart life through teaching and administering God's Word, empowered by the Spirit.

The Old Covenant served as a schoolmaster, guiding humanity toward Christ. As stated in Galatians 3:24, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. This role was particularly evident in the sacrificial and ceremonial laws, which were added because of transgressions, as mentioned in Galatians 3:19, and were intended to last only until the Seed, Christ, should come. These laws did not define sin in the way the Ten Commandments or statutes do, unless they were broken, as seen in the case of Aaron's sons in Leviticus 10, where improper offerings became sin. Further insight from Hebrews 10:1-4 reveals that these sacrifices, being a shadow of good things to come, could not make the worshippers perfect nor take away sins. They served as a continual reminder of sin, requiring repetition because the blood of bulls and goats could not ultimately forgive. Their purpose was to awaken a consciousness of sin, reminding the people of their failures against God's standards. With the sacrifice of Christ, sufficient to cover all sins for all time as noted in Hebrews 10:18, there is no longer a need for such offerings. Thus, these temporary laws have been set aside, having fulfilled their role as a schoolmaster by pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

The Old Covenant served as a schoolmaster, guiding and guarding Israel until the coming of Christ. As described in Galatians 3:23-25, before faith came, the people were kept under the law, held in custody, awaiting the revelation of faith. The law acted as a guardian or supervisor, not primarily as a teacher, but as a custodian over Israel, ensuring they were directed toward the need for a Savior. Its role was to lead them to Christ, that they might be justified by faith. Once faith arrived through Christ, the custodianship of the Old Covenant ended, and its charge as a schoolmaster was no longer necessary. It was a temporary measure, added because of transgressions, to bridge the gap until the promised Seed should come, preparing Israel for the greater purpose under the New Covenant.