Letter to the Hebrews Volume 98

 All of the Hebrew/Jewish Animal Sacrifices were Inferior Part 2

Hebrews 10:2-4 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. KJV

The writer of Hebrews now further shows how inadequate those yearly animal sacrifices made by the Hebrew/Jewish high priest for his own sins first and then for the sins of the Hebrew people really were with these very next words here, "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins." (Hebrews 10:2) (KJV). The English word 'purged' is translated by the Greek word kathairō meaning to cleanse, that is, (specifically) to prune; figuratively to expiate, that is, to atone for or to make amends for or to make up for, compensate or make reparation for wrongdoing or causing offence: - purge. The English word 'conscience' is translated by the Greek word suneidēsis which means co-perception, that is, moral consciousness: - conscience; having knowledge of or with knowledge or knowingness. In other words, the Hebrew high priest would have ceased to make their annual sacrifices for their own sins if they had knowledge within their own consciences that their sins had been removed or made invisible before the Throne of God the Father. We see the inferiority of those Hebrew high priest making those sacrifices for their own sins continually verses our Lord Jesus Christ (who knew no sin), as it is written, "For He (God the Father) hath made Him (God the Son Jesus Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) (KJV) making a One Time sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 7:27) for the sins of all who would come to Him in repentance and faith. Let us recall these words from the Prophet Isaiah, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25) (KJV) and this verse as well, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee." (Hebrews 44:22) (KJV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of Hebrews 10:2, "Had they made an effectual reconciliation for the sins of the world, and contained in their once offering a plenitude of permanent merit, they would have ceased to be offered, at least in reference to any individual who had once offered them; because, in such a case, his conscience would be satisfied that its guilt had been taken away. But no Jew pretended to believe that even the annual atonement cancelled his sin before God; yet he continued to make his offerings, the law of God having so enjoined, because these sacrifices pointed out that which was to come. They were offered, therefore, not in consideration of their own efficacy, but as referring to Christ."  

Now the writer of Hebrews points out that those very public annual sacrifices for the sins of the Hebrew people and for himself at the end of every year (Leviticus 16:34) made it clear that the sins of the people had not been purged or cleaned for their own consciences, as it is written here, "But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year." (Hebrews 10:3) (KJV). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 10:3, "The reference here is to the sacrifices made on the great day of atonement. This occurred once in a year. Of course as often as a sacrifice was offered, it was an acknowledgment of guilt on the part of those for whom it was made. As these sacrifices continued to be offered every year, they who made the offering were reminded of their guilt and their desert of punishment. All the efficacy which could be pretended to belong those sacrifices, was that they made expiation for the past year. Their efficacy did not extend into the future, nor did it embrace any but those who were engaged in offering them. These sacrifices, therefore, could not make the atonement which man needed. They could not make the conscience easy; they could not be regarded as a sufficient expiation for the time to come, so that the sinner at any time could plead an offering which was already made as a ground of pardon, and they could not meet the wants of all people in all lands and at all times. These things are to be found only in that great sacrifice made by the Redeemer on the Cross." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 10:3, "But this was not the case; after one day of atonement was over, the sinner would fall again into one fault or another, and so there would be need of another day of atonement, and of one every year, besides the daily ministrations. Whereas now, under the Gospel, the atonement is perfect, and not to be repeated; and the sinner, once pardoned, is ever pardoned as to his state, and only needs to renew his repentance and faith, that he may have a comfortable sense of a continued pardon."

Next the writer points out how the sacrificing of animals were never meant to remove the sinners sin, but it was instituted by God the Father in order to prepare the Hebrew people for the coming of the Messiah our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, therefore, we find these words written here in verse 4, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4) (KJV). The little English phrase 'should take away' is translated by the Greek word aphaireō meaning to remove (literally or figuratively). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 10:4, "As the legal sacrifices did not of themselves take away sin, so it was impossible they should, Hebrews 10:4. There was an essential defect in them. 1. They were not of the same nature with us who sinned. 2. They were not of sufficient value to make satisfaction for the affronts offered to the justice and government of God. They were not of the same nature that offended, and so could not be suitable. Much less were they of the same nature that was offended; and nothing less than the nature that was offended could make the sacrifice a full satisfaction for the offence. 3. The beasts offered up under the law could not consent to put themselves in the sinner's room and place. The atoning sacrifice must be One capable of consenting, and must voluntarily substitute Himself in the sinner's stead: Christ did so. There was a time fixed and foretold by the great God, and that time had now come, when these legal sacrifices would be no longer accepted by Him nor useful to men. God never did desire them for themselves, and now He abrogated them; and therefore to adhere to them now would be resisting God and rejecting Him."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…