Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
These cross references all relate to the idea that it is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sins. They emphasize the need for a different kind of sacrifice, one that is greater and more effective. The cross references point to the idea that it is not enough to offer up animals or even our own lives, but that something else is needed to truly take away sins. They also emphasize the importance of justice, kindness, and humility in relationship to God.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Isaiah 1:11-15: “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. “When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. | Both passages demonstrate God's rejection of animal sacrifices for atonement of sins. Hebrews 10:4 explains that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, highlighting the ineffectiveness of these offerings. Isaiah 1:11-15 further emphasizes this point by expressing God's disdain for these animal sacrifices, noting that they are a burden and that He will not listen to them. |
| Micah 6:6-8: “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Both passages point to the ineffectiveness of animal sacrifices to take away sins. Hebrews 10:4 states that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, while Micah 6:6-8 asks what kind of sacrifice should be made to the Lord and then concludes that the Lord requires justice, kindness, and humility. |
| Romans 11:27: “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” | Both passages talk about the taking away of sins. Hebrews 10:4 states that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, emphasizing the ineffectiveness of animal sacrifices. Romans 11:27, on the other hand, talks about God taking away sins, which can only be done through the power of God. This passage serves as a reminder of the power of God and his ability to forgive sins. |
| Hebrews 10:11: And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. | Both passages discuss the ineffectiveness of animal sacrifices to take away sins. Hebrews 10:4 states that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:11 further emphasizes this point by noting that the repeated offering of animal sacrifices can never take away sins. Both passages draw attention to the fact that animal sacrifices are inadequate to remove sin. |
| 1 John 3:5: You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. | Both passages discuss the taking away of sins. Hebrews 10:4 states that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, illustrating the inadequacy of the Old Testament sacrificial system. 1 John 3:5, on the other hand, states that Jesus appeared in order to take away sins, emphasizing the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice as the only means of atonement. |
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to take away our sins. We know that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, and that You desire justice, kindness, and humility from us. Help us to turn away from our vain offerings and to seek You with our whole hearts. We thank You, Lord, for the covenant You have made with us to take away our sins. May our lives be a living sacrifice, pleasing and honoring to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
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