Hebrews 10:5-7

Summary retelling of Hebrews 10:5-7

In this section of the passage we have a quote from Psalm 40:6-8.  Here we see the author of Hebrews quoting David.  David speaks to God by telling us that God has not required sacrifices.  Rather, God has prepared a body for us.  God takes no pleasure in burnt offerings and sin offerings.  Then David tells us what God does desire – that is, to come and do His will.  Of course, the author of Hebrews is not applying these words to us; the author of Hebrews is applying these words specifically to Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Again we have a quote from the Old Testament.  Since the author of Hebrews is speaking to the ineffectiveness of the Law to permanently fix humanity, it is important that he use the Law to make His point.  It isn’t that the author of Hebrews is trying to change anything.  Rather, the author of Hebrews is trying to set the record straight in telling us what the Law does actually say.

Does it inspire you to hear the author of Hebrews using scripture to prove his point?  What does this say about our need to be familiar with both the Old and the New Testament?

Second Thought:

God does not desire sacrifices.  God takes no pleasure in burnt offerings.  At first pass, it really sounds like the author of Hebrews is contradicting the Law, which tells the Hebrew people how to make sacrifices.  If we take this approach, we will get the wrong idea.  The author doesn’t say that the sacrifices were bad or evil.  The author doesn’t say that the sacrifices were against God’s will.  Rather, the author is saying that God doesn’t take pleasure in them.  He doesn’t take pleasure in them because He would prefer us to listen to Him and humble ourselves to His way so that we don’t need to offer sacrifices in the first place!  It isn’t that the sacrifices were bad, it is that there is a lifestyle that is more pleasing to God: obedience.

Why would God find obedience more pleasing than sacrifices?  Does this mean that God doesn’t accept repentance?  If not, what does it mean?  Why is it easier to just be obedient in the first place?

Third Thought:

The author of Hebrews specifically applies these words to Jesus Christ.  This makes the verses about “giving a body” make far more sense.  God does not desire the sacrifices of animals to cover up our inability to be obedient.  However, God did give Jesus a body so that His sacrifice would fulfill His plan.  Jesus came to do God’s will.  Jesus came in bodily form to be the sacrifice that we could not make on our own.

How is Christ’s sacrifice different than the sacrifice of animals?  How does Jesus on the cross fulfill the Law rather than replace it?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 10:8-10