Hebrews 10 (2)

Introduction
God has no pleasure in sin. Yet He was pleased for His Son to bear the sins of the world and to establish a New Covenant with all who would believe. And all who do are set apart by Jesus’ sacrifice for God’s rest.

Read Psalm 40.6-10.

Read Hebrews 10.5-10.

Think it through.
1.  The writer quotes Psalm 40 to summarize Christ’s mission to the world (vv. 5-7). How would you summarize that mission? Why was Jesus sent to the world? The Greek for “You had no pleasure” (οὐκ εὐδόκησας) expresses a kind of finality, that is, “You had no once-for-all pleasure.”  So even as David was writing Psalm 40, God was making it clear that the Old Covenant sacrificial system was not His last word. Explain. It’s interesting to note that the writer of Hebrews omits the second part of Psalm 40.6: “My ears You have opened.” His readers would undoubtedly have noted that. Do you think he may have left it out on purpose? Why would he do that?

2.  The writer carefully explains the portion of Psalm 40 he has quoted (vv. 6-8) in verses 8-10. He points out that the sacrifices prescribed in the Law of God were not what God ultimately intended. Why did the first readers of Hebrews need to be reminded of this? Why was Psalm 40 a good place to turn in reminding them? The Speaker of Psalm 40 is not David, even though David was the writer. Who was the Speaker? In what “book” had His coming to do God’s will been “written” (cf. Ps. 139.15, 16). What was the will of God He came to do (v. 10)? If we have been sanctified (“set apart”) by “the offering of Christ’s body,” should we ever turn back from that? And if one does turn away from that offering, what does that suggest?

Meditate.
“David went on to say, ‘But a body you have fitted to me.’ By this he meant the Lord’s body which became the common sacrifice for the whole world, the sacrifice which cleansed our souls, canceled sin, put down death, opened heaven, gave us many great hopes and made ready all the other things which Paul knew well and spoke of when he exclaimed, ‘O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways.’” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5.8, 9

Thank You, Father, for setting me apart for Yourself in Jesus Christ. Help me to live that sanctified life today as I…

Pray Psalm 40.6-10.
Pray slowly, and meditate on the sufferings of Jesus as He delighted to do God’s will on your behalf.  

Psalm 40.6-10 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
Off’rings You do not require – open now my ears, O Lord – 
What from me do You desire?  Firm delight to do Your Word.
Take my life in ev’ry part; write Your Law upon my heart.

Lord, Your truth will I proclaim to Your people gathered ‘round, 
Nor will I my lips restrain – let Your precious ways resound
Of Your saving grace and Word I would speak, most loving Lord.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.