Did God Ever Require Blood Sacrifices?

[R. A. Anderson]

There are many confusing and ambiguous statements in the Hebrew Bible (O.T.) about the need for blood sacrifices (both human and animal). Does it not seem very strange that a God who is said to be loving, kind, peaceful, and just, should require such bloody slaughter of inocent victims - creatures that He apparently created with love?

 

[jculver]

There are many confusing and ambiguous statements in the Hebrew Bible (O.T.) about the need for blood sacrifices (both human and animal). Does it not seem very strange that a God who is said to be loving, kind, peaceful, and just, should require such bloody slaughter of inocent victims - creatures that He apparently created with love?

They are literal IMHO.

It is somewhat hard to understand blood sacrifices in this new covenant we are in with the one and only God. The sacrifices were required because of sin. They were to demonstrate how serious sin was. Imagine having to kill a precious animal because of something you did. You would quickly get the picture. However, God had a final and ultimate sacrifice for all sin prepared since the beginning, our Lord Christ Jesus, and he is available to anyone and everyone who puts true faith into him.

The old covenant was always leading up to the new, and that is where the hope of the old testament saints was, in the messiah. To me the sacrifices are an illustration. God gave the world the big picture one book of the bible at a time, and he did it over a huge span of time.

We have to understand the seriousness of sin before we can even realize we need to be saved from it, and that is more or less a quick summary of why blood sacrifices were required.

-JC

 

[R. A. Anderson]

reply to jculver

You say that such sacrifices were required. Then what is your interpretation of the following passages:

"For I (God) spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices: but this thing I commanded them, saying, Hearken unto my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people; and walk ye in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you." (Jeremiah 7:22-23).

"He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth swine's blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations: I (God) also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not." (Isaiah 66:3-4).

"Sacrifice and offering thou (God) hast no delight in; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required." (Psalms 40:6).

"For thou (God) delightest not in sacrifice; Else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering." (Psalms 51:16).

 

[jculver]

I think maybe my word choice was not the best, but I still hold to my view on the issue. However I will go ahead and comment on each verse you posted.

You say that such sacrifices were required. Then what is your interpretation of the following passages:

"For I (God) spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices: but this thing I commanded them, saying, Hearken unto my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people; and walk ye in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you." (Jeremiah 7:22-23).

"Bible writers often use apparent negation to make a comparative emphasis. What God commanded His people at the Exodus was not so much the offerings, as it was the heart of obedience that prompted the offerings"

-John Macarthur

Much like in the new covenant we are not required to do anything. No works, no anything. However, good works and obedience are inevitable when you come to faith in Christ out of your new love for him. Serving Christ for any other reason is equivalent to an empty hearted sacrifice.

"He that killeth an ox is as he that slayeth a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as he that breaketh a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as he that offereth swine's blood; he that burneth frankincense, as he that blesseth an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations: I (God) also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in mine eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not." (Isaiah 66:3-4).

These verses here are comparing men who were sacrificing things empty heartedly to God with ungodly men and their sacrifices. I don't think a Jew would sacrifice a Dog (they are considered unclean like pigs see Jer 15:3). To sacrifice a Lamb with an empty heart is the same as a pagans sacrifice (worthless and evil), and hence the comparison.

"Sacrifice and offering thou (God) hast no delight in; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required." (Psalms 40:6).

In Psalm 50 7-15 this is explained, or clarified rather. God desires "Thanksgiving" and not the sacrifices themselves.

"For thou (God) delightest not in sacrifice; Else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering." (Psalms 51:16).

See verse 19 of this same psalm for clarification.


Hope that clarified my position some, I look forward to more discussion on this issue, but I am headed out of town for the weekend so I may not be able to reply for some time.

Best Regards,

JC

 

[Chad]

Here is an article from gotquestions.org


Question: "Why did God require animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?"

God required animal sacrifices so that mankind could receive forgiveness for their sins (Leviticus 4:35; 5:10). I could end there, but let me explain the significance of animal sacrifices as found in the Old Testament. To begin, animal sacrifice is an important motif found throughout Scripture. When Adam and Eve sinned, animals were killed by God to provide clothing for them (Genesis 3:21). Cain and Abel brought sacrifices to the Lord. Cain's was unacceptable because he brought fruit, while Abel's was acceptable because it was the "firstlings of his flock" (Genesis 4:4-5). After the flood receded, Noah sacrificed animals to God. This sacrifice from Noah was an aroma that was soothing to the Lord (Genesis 8:20-21). God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham obeyed God, but just as Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac, God intervened and provided a ram to die in the place of Isaac (Genesis 22:10-13).

The sacrificial system reaches its climax with the nation of Israel. God commanded the nation to perform numerous different sacrifices. According to Leviticus 1:1-4, a certain procedure was to be followed. First, the animal had to be spotless. Next, the person offering the sacrifice had to identify with the animal. Then the person offering the animal had to inflict death upon it. When done in faith, this sacrifice procured forgiveness of sins. Another sacrifice called the day of atonement, described in Leviticus 16, demonstrates forgiveness and the removal of sin. The high priest was to take two male goats for a sin offering. One of the goats was sacrificed as a sin offering for the people of Israel (Leviticus 16:15), while the other goat was released into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:20-22). The sin offering provided forgiveness, while the other goat provided the removal of sin.

The sacrifice motif does not stop with the nation of Israel. Animal sacrifices have ended because Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice. John the Baptist recognized this when he saw Jesus for the first time, "Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). You may be asking yourself, why animals? What did they do wrong? That is the point, in that since the animals did no wrong, they died in place of the one performing the sacrifice. Jesus Christ also knew no wrong but willingly gave himself to die for the sins of mankind (1 Timothy 2:6). Many people call this idea of dying in place of someone else substitution. Jesus Christ took our sin upon himself and died in our place. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He (i.e., God) made him (i.e., Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in him." Through faith in what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross, the individual can receive forgiveness.

In summation, the animal sacrifices were commanded by God so that the individual could experience forgiveness of his sins. The animal served as a substitute--that is, the animal died in place of the sinner. Animal sacrifices have stopped with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrificial substitute and the only mediator between God and mankind (1 Timothy 2:5).

 

[stephen]

There are many confusing and ambiguous statements in the Hebrew Bible (O.T.) about the need for blood sacrifices (both human and animal). Does it not seem very strange that a God who is said to be loving, kind, peaceful, and just, should require such bloody slaughter of inocent victims - creatures that He apparently created with love?

(both human and animal). Human? Not at all. Please supply your info source.

Animal yes.

You ask this question friend because you are not aware of the heinousness, the wickedness of sin. We are talking bible now, and the teachings of such. The animal sacrifices were God ordained, and were a type and a shadow of the real and final sacrifice. Which was the offering of Jesus upon the cross. When Jesus cried it is finished His words embraced all past indulgement to take away sin, and appease a holy God.


It may "appear strange" to you...........and to others also, who are unaware of the ways of God Almighty and His dealings with men, and His provision of redemption.

 

[Faithful Son]

Praise God brother Stephen, I thank the Lord Almighty for you and Chad and jculver.

God bless you all!

 

[BecuzHeLives]

Amen brother Stephen. Good job on your response too brother Jculver.