What is the meaning of Hebrews 9:10? They consist only in food and drink The writer reminds us that many Old Testament ordinances revolved around what went on the table or into the cup. Leviticus 11 sets out clean and unclean animals, and Numbers 28–29 details food and drink offerings. Yet Hebrews calls these requirements “only” food and drink—important, but limited. Colossians 2:16-17 echoes this, saying, “Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink… These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance is Christ.” Romans 14:17 adds, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” God never intended dietary rules to provide salvation; they pointed forward to the true Bread of Life (John 6:35). And special washings Alongside diet stood prescribed cleansings. Exodus 30:17-21 describes the bronze basin where priests washed hands and feet before entering the tabernacle. Numbers 19 gives the ritual of the red heifer for purification. The Pharisees later multiplied these traditions (Mark 7:3-4). Hebrews 9:13 admits that such washings “sanctify the outward so that the flesh is cleansed,” yet verse 14 shows Christ’s blood cleanses the conscience. These washings highlighted humanity’s need for purity and foreshadowed the once-for-all washing accomplished at the cross (Titus 3:5). External regulations Food laws and washings were outward acts. They touched the body but could not change the heart. First Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Galatians 3:24-25 explains that the law was a guardian leading us to Christ, but once faith came we are no longer under that guardian. The external served a temporary, illustrative purpose, teaching holiness and separation while pointing to an internal, spiritual reality fulfilled in Jesus (Hebrews 10:1). Imposed until the time of reform The word “until” is crucial. God Himself imposed these regulations, yet He also set their expiration date: “the time of reform.” That time arrived when Christ appeared (Galatians 4:4). Hebrews 9:11 continues, “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come…” The new covenant foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-34 replaces external codes with an internal relationship: “I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts.” Because Jesus offered His own blood, believers now enjoy direct access to God without ceremonial barriers (Hebrews 10:19-22). Summary Hebrews 9:10 teaches that Old Testament dietary rules and ceremonial washings were God-given but outward and temporary. They illustrated humanity’s need for cleansing and pointed toward Christ, who brings the promised “reform” by fulfilling the law, cleansing the conscience, and opening unfettered fellowship with God. Our focus now rests not on food, drink, or ritual, but on the living Savior whose finished work makes us truly clean. |
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