Hebrews Chapter Ten Verses 1-10

HEBREWS CHAPTER TEN VS 1-10 (USING KING JAMES STUDY TEXT, STUDY BOOK WILL REFERENCE A DIFFERENT VERSION FOR READING)

Heb 10:1  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 

Heb 10:2  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 

Heb 10:3  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 

Heb 10:4  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 

Heb 10:5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 

Heb 10:6  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 

Heb 10:7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 

Heb 10:8  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 

Heb 10:9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 

Heb 10:10  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

Main Point: There is a distinct purpose for the old law, reminder of sin. There are distinct purposes for the covenant through Jesus: removal of the “consciousness of sins (2)” – “taking away of sins (4)” – “sanctification (10)”.

1.   Why was it not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins? Carefully read the text. Who remembered their sins each year because of the sacrifices? Verse 2 states there should have been “no more conscience of sin” to be perfected. Those sacrifices were not designed to do that. Atonement is a covering, nor a removal. Remember God’s oath to not “remember their sins” and be merciful. Both the one machining the offering and God. Though we understand that God knows all things, this action brought man to God under a cloud of guilt and judgment.

2.   Compare the quotation of verses 5-7 with the original writing in Psalm 40. Notice the obvious difference in the old testament rendering and this quotation. Though different, how do these two statements tell us more about what God desired in Christ and still desires in us? Psa 40:6  Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 

Psa 40:7  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 

Psa 40:8  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
  The simplest explanation is that an obedient life is what God is looking for. More intensely is the concept that God’s will lives within the life of his children. It is not a chore of “checkmarks”. It becomes a matter of trust, loyalty and love.

3.   What does God mean when He said He did not desire sacrifice and offering nor had pleasure in them?  It was not God’s goal for Israel to become proficient at sacrifices as much as He wanted THEM to see HIM for the provisional Father He is. David says: ”Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened” (then) “thy law is within my heart”. This message is a continuation of what he writer has been trying to get across. Most specifically, to become active hearers of God’s words/works.

4.   Explain the following statements in verses 9-10:
“I have come to do your will, oh God”: The will is directly connected the heart. It is far and above the connection to sin. (See below for more)

“He takes away the first that He may establish the second”: This appears to be the argument that the law as a perceived means to God is removed (for reasons stated).

“By that will we have been sanctified”: Aligning our will to God’s will. Doing things that will delight the Father.

“through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all”: This thought completes the opening argument against the system that required repeated sacrifices that did not necessarily lead a soul to God. The “for all” is used (interpreted) in its broadest tense. It is available to all, but as the writer has already confirmed one must be “called”, must “draw near”, be an effectual hearer as well as align the will to be part of the “all”.

Additional:

(2) Conscience – G4893 -From a prolonged form of G4894; co-perception, that is, moral consciousness: - conscience.

Root words mean “together” – “see” (be aware)

(3) KJ  “should take away”  G851 - From G575 and G138; to remove (literally or figuratively): - cut (smite) off, take away.

Root words mean “off” – “to take for oneself” – (To lift)

(9) Take away G337 - From G303 and (the active of) G138; to take up, that is, adopt; by implication to take away (violently), that is, abolish, murder: - put to death, kill, slay, take away, take up.

Root words mean: “up” – “to take for oneself”

Will – G2307 From the prolonged form of G2309; a determination (properly the thing), that is, (actively) choice (specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition) or (passively) inclination: - desire, pleasure, will.
Old Testament – H7522 - Delight

Sanctified: G37 - From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify.

(Root means something awe-ful)