They served only for matters of food and drink ¹  and various washings; they are external regulations ²  imposed until the new order came. ³ 

In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper.

By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, ¹  he received the ability to procreate, ²  because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.