Today, many in Israel want to restart the sacrifices of the lamb. But this is no longer needed as we discover when reading Hebrews. Many in Israel (not all) do not acknowledge the renewed covenant, and thus are still awaiting their Messiah to come and save them.
Let’s look at Hebrews 10.
Hebrews 10
1 For since the Law has only a shadow [just a pale representation] of the good things to come—not the very image of those things—it can never, by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year, make perfect those who approach [its altars].
2 For if it were otherwise, would not these sacrifices have stopped being offered? For the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have a consciousness of sin.
The sacrifices were made at the altar continually. We read about these sacrifices which were made in Numbers 28 and 29. There were daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, offerings upon the new moon, offerings Unleavened Bread offerings at the appointed time of harvest, the appointed time of Trumpets, the day of atonement and the appointed time of booths.
They were:
Daily offerings: Two male lambs in their first year without blemish. One in the morning and one in the evening.
Sabbath offerings: Two lambs in their first year without blemish plus the Daily offering.
New Moon offerings: Two young bulls, One Ram, Seven Lambs – all without blemish plus the daily offering.
Unleavened Bread: Two young bulls, One Ram, Seven Lambs and a goat plus the daily offerings – for seven days.
Appointed time of Harvest (First fruits): Two young bulls, One Ram, Seven Lambs and a goat, plus the daily offering.
Appointed time of Trumpets: One young bull, One Ram, Seven Lambs, plus the new moon offering plus the daily offering.
The Day of Atonement: One young bull, One Ram, Seven Lambs and a goat offering plus the daily offering.
Appointed time of Booths:
Day 1: Thirteen young bulls, Two Rams, Fourteen Lambs, one goat, plus the daily offering.
Day 2: Twelve young bulls, Two Rams, Fourteen Lambs, one goat, plus the daily offering.
Day 3: Eleven young bulls, Two Rams, Fourteen Lambs, one goat, plus the daily offering.
Day 4: Ten young bulls, Two Rams, Fourteen Lambs, one goat, plus the daily offering.
Day 5: Nine young bulls, Two Rams, Fourteen Lambs, one goat, plus the daily offering.
Day 6: Eight young bulls, Two Rams, Fourteen Lambs, one goat, plus the daily offering.
Day 7: Seven young bulls, Two Rams, Fourteen Lambs, one goat, plus the daily offering.
Day 8 (Sabbath): One bull, One Ram, Seven Lambs, one goat, plus the daily offering.
Hebrews 10 then talks about the how these sacrifices could not atone for the sins of the people
Hebrews 10
3 But these sacrifices bring a fresh reminder of sins [which are to be atoned for] year after year,
4 for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when Yahshua enters into the world, He says,“Sacrifice and offering You (Yahuwah) have not desired,
But [instead] You have prepared a body for Me [to offer];
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no delight.
7 “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come
To do Your will, Elohim—
[To fulfill] what is written of Me in the scroll of the book.’”8 After saying [in the citation] above, “You have neither desired nor have You taken delight in sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin” (which were offered according to the Law)
9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will.”[And so] He does away with the first [covenant as a means of atoning for sin based on animal sacrifices] so that He may inaugurate and establish the second [covenant by means of obedience – the ten commandments].
10 And in accordance with this will [of Yahuwah] we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified [that is, set apart as holy for Yahuwah and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Yahshua haMaschiach (the Messiah, the Anointed) once for all.
These sacrifices were only designed to be a reminder of our sins, and to show us how the death of Yahshua would pay the price for us with Him being without sin. At this time, that is, the time of His death, He did away with these sacrifices as they were no longer required as the son came and paid the price that we may live.
Hebrews 10 goes on to say:
11 Every priest stands [at his altar of service] ministering daily, offering the same sacrifices over and over, which are never able to strip away sins;
12 whereas Yahshua, having offered the one sacrifice [the all-sufficient sacrifice of Himself] for sins for all time, sat down [signifying the completion of atonement for sin] at the right hand of Elohim [the position of honor],
13 waiting from that time onward until his enemies are made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by the one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also adds His testimony to us [in confirmation of this];
for after having said,16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
After those days, says Yahuwah:
I will imprint My laws upon their heart,
And on their mind I will inscribe them [producing an inward change],”He then says,
17 “And their sins and their lawless acts
I will remember no more.”18 Now where there is forgiveness and complete cancellation of the penalty of these things, there is no longer any offering [to be made to atone] for sin.
Here He explains that whilst people may try to use sacrifices today to strip away sins, these will not serve any purpose, for Yahushua was that sacrifice that He may pay the price we should have paid for our sins, but we could not for we live in sin.
Today His law, that is, the ten commandments are imprinted upon our hearts and it is these we are to follow. Hebrews 10 goes on to say:
26 For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate],
27 but a kind of awful and terrifying expectation of [divine] judgment and the fury of a fire and burning wrath which will consume the adversaries [those who put themselves in opposition to Yahuwah].
28 Anyone who has ignored and set aside the Law of Moses (The ten commandments) is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
29 How much greater punishment do you think he will deserve who has rejected and trampled under foot the Son of Elohim, and has considered unclean and common the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and has insulted the Spirit of grace [who imparts the unmerited favour and blessing of Elohim]?
30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay [the wrongdoer].” And again, “Yahuwah will judge His people.”
31 It is a fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim [incurring His judgment and wrath].
At the end of Hebrews 10 there is a promise.
37 For yet in a very little while,
He who is coming will come, and will not delay.
38 But My righteous one shall live by faith [respecting man’s relationship with Elohim and trusting Him];
And if he draws back [shrinking in fear], My soul has no delight in him.
39 But our way is not that of those who shrink back to destruction, but [we are] of those who believe and by this confident faith preserve the soul.