Meaning of Hebrews 10:7

This verse, spoken by the author of Hebrews through the voice of the Psalmist (Psalm 40:6-8), is a profound declaration of Christ's willing submission to God's redemptive plan. It highlights the intentionality and purpose behind Jesus' incarnation and earthly ministry, contrasting it with the inadequacy of animal sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant. The speaker, representing Christ, explicitly states his arrival as foretold in scripture, signaling a new era where his obedient life and death would fulfill the law’s demands and inaugurate a superior covenant.

Context and Background

The author of Hebrews is building a case for the superiority of Jesus Christ and the new covenant he established over the old Levitical system. Chapters 8-10 extensively compare the priesthood and sacrifices of the Old Testament with Christ’s singular, perfect sacrifice. The passage in Hebrews 10:5-10 quotes Psalm 40, presenting it as a prophetic utterance of Christ's own intention to offer himself as the ultimate sacrifice, which animal sacrifices could never truly achieve. This verse, therefore, is embedded within an argument demonstrating that Christ's coming was not a haphazard event but a divinely ordained fulfillment of God's will, as prophesied in the Scriptures.

Key Themes and Messages

• Willing Obedience: The core message is one of voluntary and eager submission to God's will. Christ's "Here I am" is not a reluctant surrender but an active and purposeful engagement with his divine mission.
• Fulfillment of Scripture: The phrase "it is written about me in the scroll" emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice was not an afterthought but was foreseen and planned from the beginning, recorded in God's prophetic word.
• Superiority of Christ's Sacrifice: This verse sets the stage for the subsequent verses (Hebrews 10:8-10), which explain that while the Law prescribed sacrifices and offerings, Christ's coming signified God's desire for a different kind of offering—his very body—which completely abolishes the need for further sacrifices.
• The Will of God: The ultimate purpose of Christ's advent was to accomplish the Father's will, which encompassed his perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, thereby securing salvation for humanity.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse underscores the foundational truth of Christianity: salvation is not achieved through human effort or ritual, but through Christ's finished work. It calls believers to a similar spirit of willing obedience, to present themselves to God not as servants under compulsion, but as beloved children eager to do His will. It encourages trust in God's sovereign plan and the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, providing assurance of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a pivotal point in the unfolding redemptive history of the Bible. It connects the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning a coming Messiah and his suffering to the reality of Jesus Christ. It bridges the gap between the sacrificial system, which pointed forward to a greater sacrifice, and the New Covenant, where that sacrifice is realized. It is the ultimate expression of God’s love and plan to restore humanity’s relationship with Him, a plan initiated in Genesis and consummated in Christ.

Analogies

One analogy could be that of a skilled artisan who has meticulously prepared a masterpiece, with every detail pre-planned and documented. The artisan’s arrival at the studio, saying, "Here I am, my design is in the blueprints, I have come to create," signifies the purposeful execution of that grand vision. Another analogy is a doctor who, having studied extensively and knowing the cure is needed, presents themselves saying, "Here I am, my knowledge is recorded, I have come to administer the healing."

Relation to Other Verses

• John 6:38: "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." This verse echoes the sentiment of Hebrews 10:7, emphasizing Christ's mission to fulfill the Father's purpose.
• Philippians 2:8: "and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!" This highlights the obedient nature of Christ's submission, culminating in his ultimate sacrifice.
• Romans 5:19: "For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." This contrasts Adam's disobedience with Christ's perfect obedience, which brings justification.
• Hebrews 9:12, 26: These verses further elaborate on how Christ's sacrifice is a singular, effective atonement that surpasses the repetitive nature of Old Testament sacrifices.