What Does “Sacrifices and Offerings You Did Not Desire” Mean? (Hebrews 10:5, NIV)

Question: Does this mean that God is not pleased with sacrifices and offerings?

Answer: Let’s examine this in context.

1. The Scriptural Foundation

Hebrews 10:5 (NIV) says:

“Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.’”

This statement is a quotation from Psalm 40:6, which reads:

Psalm 40:6 (NIV):

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire but my ears you have opened burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.”

At first glance, this might sound like God is rejecting all forms of worship through offerings. But a closer look reveals the true meaning: God is not ultimately pleased with ritualistic sacrifices made for sin, especially when they are offered without a heart of obedience or faith.

2. Old Covenant Sacrifices Were Temporary

Under the Old Covenant, sacrifices especially burnt offerings and sin offerings were central to Israel’s worship and relationship with God (see Leviticus chapters 1–7). These involved the slaughter of animals to atone for the sins of the people. However, they were never meant to be a permanent solution.

Hebrews 10:3–4 (NIV):

“But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Animal sacrifices could cover sin, but not remove it. They pointed forward to a greater, perfect sacrifice Jesus Christ  who would once and for all take away sin.

3. The Perfect Sacrifice of Christ

Hebrews 10:10 (NIV):

“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

When Hebrews 10:5 says, “a body you prepared for me,” it refers to the incarnation God the Son taking on human flesh in order to offer Himself as a perfect, voluntary sacrifice. This marks a transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31–34, fulfilled in Hebrews 8).

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is not a temporary covering, but a complete atonement for sin. Through His death, He satisfies the justice of God and provides a way for us to be reconciled to Him eternally (see Romans 3:25–26).

4. What About Other Offerings?

While sacrifices for sin are no longer necessary (because Jesus paid it all), Scripture does affirm other kinds of offerings:Thanksgiving offerings (Psalm 50:14)Offerings for ministry or the work of the Kingdom (Philippians 4:18)Acts of generosity and service, described as “spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5, Romans 12:1)

These offerings, when done in faith and gratitude, are still pleasing to God.

5. No Offering Can Remove Sin Only Jesus Can

Attempting to “earn” forgiveness through gifts, works, or rituals misses the Gospel entirely. We can’t buy God’s favor or atone for our own sins.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV):

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Forgiveness and cleansing come only through the blood of Jesus Christ, which has already been offered freely. What we must do is repent turn away from sin with sincere hearts.

1 John 1:9 (NIV):

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

6. A Call to Respond

So the real question is: Do you have Jesus in your life?
Have you truly received the only sacrifice that can make you right with God?

Whether the world ends tomorrow or your own life ends today, the only thing that will matter is whether you’ve been covered by the blood of Christ. If the sacrifice of Jesus means nothing to you now, how will you stand before God on the Day of Judgment?

Maranatha

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