The first covenant, the Law, was ratified by blood. It says here in Hebrews that everything is purified by blood which we really don’t quite understand. We would say we have moved beyond that barbaric blood sacrifice kind of thinking. But this part in Hebrews 9:22 we understand, “apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” of course we wouldn’t say it this way. But we might say I’ll get them back for that, or he owes me for that, and what we know is that we want justice for the wrong done to us and we won’t be satisfied until we get it. In the end though, it isn’t just us that has been wronged. This injustice is also against God who made us and He also demands justice. But Hebrews 10 says He doesn’t want sacrifices for sin that only remind us of the wrongs that have been done. And as we read through Hebrews 10 we find the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all. We are made holy, perfected, free.
This Is the Blood of the Covenant
Hebrews 9:18–28
The first covenant, the law, was ratified with blood as it says in Hebrews 9:18. This is because in Hebrews 9:22 “everything is purified with blood according to the law” vs. 22 goes on to say “apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. We know in ourselves that for justice to exist, that one who murders must pay the price of their own life. Or as it says in
Deuteronomy 19:21 (LEB) You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
So, we now understand why Hebrews 9:22 says “apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. The sacrifice must be made, the price must be paid. And Hebrews 9:23 takes us from the earthly “sketches of things in heaven” to see “the heavenly things themselves” that also must be purified. Justice is not only an earthly principle, but begins with the very righteousness and holiness of God. It is a heavenly principle first.
Deuteronomy 16:20 (LEB) Justice, only justice you shall pursue, so that you may live, and you shall take possession of the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you.
Isaiah 1:17 (LEB) Learn to do good! Seek justice! Rescue the oppressed! Defend the orphan! Plead for the widow!
Now we understand in Hebrews 9:24-28 that Christ entered the true sanctuary “into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf … Christ … offered once in order to bear the sins of many”.
We know that Jesus brought another covenant, Matthew 5:38-48 but here, we are talking about the first covenant, the Law, that had to be fulfilled Matthew 5:17-18.
Sacrifice and Offering You Did Not Want
Hebrews 10:1–7
It says in Hebrews 10:1 that “the law, possessing a shadow of the good things that are about to come … is never able …to make perfect”. Because, in Hebrews 10:3 “there is a reminder of sins” then Hebrews 10:4 “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins”. So in Hebrews 10:5 “when he (Jesus) came into the world, he said … ” continued in Hebrews 10:7 “I have come … to do your will”.
The law came with a continual reminder of sin, and the penalty that must be paid. What God wanted was in Hebrews 10:2 “having been purified once and for all, would no longer have any consciousness of sins”.
We Are Made Holy
Hebrews 10:8–18
It says in Hebrews 10:9 “He (God the Father) takes away the first in order to establish the second”. And emphasizes this point by repeating the statement made in Hebrews 10:8 “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and offerings for sin you (God the Father) did not want, nor did you delight in,” and again in Hebrews 10:9 “I (Jesus) have come to do your will”. And I say it is God the Father that did not want “offerings for sin” because Jesus came to do His will.
Then there are two statements, the first in Hebrews 10:10 “we are made holy through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”. and in Hebrews 10:14 “For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy”. We are “made holy” and “perfected”. And the Holy Spirit now speaks “testifies” in vs. 15 saying in Hebrews 10:16-17 “”I am putting my laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds … their sins and their lawless deeds I will never remember again”.
The New and Living Way
Hebrews 10:19–25
In Hebrews 10:19 it says “we have confidence for the entrance to the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus”. Then in Hebrews 10:20 “by the new and living way … through the curtain”. Then in Hebrews 10:21 “we have a great high priest”. And these all describe the work done by Jesus on our behalf. So that now we can take our part which is in Hebrews 10:22 “let us with a true heart …” and in Hebrews 10:23 “let us hold fast to the confession of our hope …” and in Hebrews 10:24 “let us … stir one another up …”. This work done by Jesus in heaven is for our action here on the earth, as Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6:10 (LEB) May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
If We Keep On Sinning
Hebrews 10:26–31
Righteousness requires judgement and peace seeks mercy and these two seem to be against each other, yet with God, they can co-exist, and “kiss”.
Psalm 85:10 (LEB) Loyal love and faithfulness will meet one another; righteousness and peace will kiss.
But as it says in Hebrews 10:26 “if we keep on sinning deliberately” after we know. Hebrews 10:29 says “How much worse punishment … who treats with disdain the son of God and considers ordinary the blood of the covenant … who insults the spirit of grace” (see Deut 17:2-5). Which is summed up in Hebrews 10:30 “The Lord will judge his people” and Hebrews 10:31 “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (and be in the wrong)”.
You Have Need of Endurance
Hebrews 10:32–39
Even if you are doing Gods will and following completely after Him, in Hebrews 10:32-34 it says, “Remember the former days” when you were insulted, afflicted, imprisoned, your belongings were seized yet you took these things “with joy because you knew that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession”.
In Hebrews 10:35 we are admonished to hold onto our confidence, “which has great reward”. And in Hebrews 10:36 we are admonished to endure “that after you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised”. Because in Hebrews 10:38 “my righteous one will live by faith” and in Hebrews 10:39 we are “among those who have faith to the preservation of our souls”.
Now Faith is the Realization … the Proof
Hebrews 11:1–10
Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 (LEB) “the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen”. And in Hebrews 11:2 it says, “by this (faith, by believing in vs 6) the people of old were approved”. We can look at each of these people and see how God moved in their lives. Think about the faith of Noah, who having never seen a flood, built an ark and saved his family because he believed God. Think about Abraham and Isaac and Jacob who lived in tents for their generations and then four hundred and thirty years in Egypt still looking forward to Hebrews 10:9 “the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Hebrews 11:6 (LEB) Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and is a rewarder of those who seek him.
What is it that you believe about God? Who is he to you?
Study Verses
- Hebrews 9:18–28
- Hebrews 10:1–7
- Hebrews 10:8–18
Today’s Reading
- Hebrews 9:18-28
- Hebrews 10:1-39
- Hebrews 11:1-6
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