"You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand...you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings." Psalm 40:6 We were rescued out of the pit and given a new song, a hymn of praise to God giving others a chance to see Him and the joy and wonders He brings. Now in verses 6-8 the Psalmist brings us face to face with the true sacrifice and offering: Jesus Christ, the Redeemer. No more type-shadows of offering and sacrifice but a shadow of things to come in Christ Jesus the Lord!
The insufficiency of the legal sacrifices to atone for sin is being shown here. After Messiah, burnt-offerings and sin-offerings would no longer be needed. They were unable to take away the terror of sin by soothing the conscience, nor the power of sin by sanctifying the nature. Only Christ is sufficient for our sin and the power of sin over us. That is why He is central to our worship. He is the foundation and fountain of all, and all of our worship is in and for Him!
It is Christ who brings glory to God and grace to man, which the sacrifices of the Old Testament could never do. Christ is the once and for all sacrifice. Hebrews 10:5-7 speaks to this, referring to this Psalm. That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, "you did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, 'Look, I have come to do your will, O God - as it is written about Me in the Scriptures.'" mjm
