Hebrews 10:1-10 (02/08/2024)

Hebrews 10:1–10 NKJV

1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ” 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The shortcomings of the Old Covenant have been expounded for the past few chapters, and this will continue, now through the lens of the law. Its downfall is that it “can never…make those who approach perfect.” (v. i) The law is only a shadow of a sufficient sacrifice, “not the very image” (v. i). Again, these first few verses are just a recap of the earlier chapters, reminding us that sacrifices would “have ceased to be offered” (v. ii) This verse makes an interesting point: that the sacrifices did not purify the people. The Old Covenant purified from the sins of the people, but the New Covenant purifies the people, which will therefore cleanse the sins as well.

v. iii-iv

Hebrews 10:3–4 NKJV

3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

These are simple verses, but bring in some new points, namely:

The point of Old Covenant sacrifices: “[A} reminder of sins every year.” (v. iii) When we forget about our sin is when we’re most prone to sin. Through our sacrifices, whatever they may be, we can be reminded that our sins are paid for. It can be a sacrifice to live a true Christian life, which Christ Himself called “taking up your cross”.

The impossibility of a perfect animal sacrifice: “[I]t is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” (v. iv) No animal has enough power to forgive sins. When Jesus healed the paralytic and forgave the sins of that man, the Pharisees were shocked. Only God can forgive sins! Which is exactly right, and why Christ, as God, came to earth to pay that sacrifice that bought forgiveness of sins.

v. v-x

Hebrews 10:5–10 NKJV

5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ” 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

For the past few chapters, I’ve been waiting to cover these verses, which are probably the most interesting Old Testament citation in this whole epistle to the Hebrews, a letter which is filled with Old Testament citations. These verses are a citation of Psalms 40:6-8, which says:

Psalm 40:6–8 NKJV

6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

Psalms 40 is considered a Messianic Psalm, which means that it’s a psalm that prophesies the coming of the Jewish Messiah (Jesus). But it was written by David? How is David’s experience similar to the Messiah’s?

Hebrews says that Jesus Himself spoke these words “when He came into the world”, much like in Hebrews 1:6, when God “brings the Firstborn into the world, He says…” The Incarnation fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament: that a prophet greater than Moses was to come; that there would be a child born whose name was Mighty God; that God would call all nations to Him through His suffering Servant.

So what does David say that Jesus also said?

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire...” Then why did He enforce them? Because that was offered according to the law.