Hebrews 10:9 — What Was Taken Away

The usual reading says “the first” is the Old Testament or the Law, and “the second” is the age of favor without Law. Verse 8 defines the first in plain words: “Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not.” The first is the animal offerings. The second is the will of God carried out in “the offering of the body of Yahushua Messiah once for all” (10:10).

Hebrews is quoting Psalm 40:6-8. Read the psalm to its end and it says, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8). The very psalm used to retire the Law places the Law inside the heart of the one who comes. Note also the speaker: “I come to do thy will, O God.” The Son does the will of another. Two wills are in view, and the Son submits his to his God’s.