Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that the blood sacrifices mentioned in the question were for the purpose of atoning for the sins of the people and obtaining God's forgiveness of those sins (under the terms of the old covenant), so that God (who cannot tolerate the presence of sin) would be able to be present among them. 

It is for this same purpose that the first acts performed in the congregational worship of multiple denominations to the present day (before any other aspects of the service take place) are the corporate confession of sins, and the pronouncing of God's absolution and forgiveness by the individual presiding over the worship service (although that forgiveness is now sought and obtained for Jesus' sake and in His name, and based on the one-time shedding of His blood, rather than through continuing acts of animal sacrifice).

May 20 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Derek Bullen Supporter Retired minister of the Presbyterian Church of Australia

"Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." This statement comes from Hebrews 9:22 (ESVUK Version). It is this that stands behind the fact that it is Jesus' blood that provides the forgiveness of sin for God's children. 

But this, then, raises the question, "What about those who lived before Jesus became Incarnate? How are their sins forgiven?" The answer lies in the OT sacrificial system. They were a FORESHADOWING of the sacrifice of Jesus. So, any OT child of God who, in sincerity and devotion to God, sacrificed (or, had a priest sacrifice for them) they partook of the Shadow that was to become a reality with the atoning death of Jesus. 

But, it must be noted, that it was not the SACRIFICE itself that provided forgiveness of sin, it was God's acceptance of it as a substitute for the shedding of the blood of the sinner. And, for God to accept it as such, it was necessary to offer the sacrifice in FAITH, and not just as an action that was done for the simple sake of making a sacrifice. There must be FAITH in God and in His gracious willingness to forgive. This is why in so many cases the OT sacrifices (that were instituted by God) are rejected by God. He rejects them because the heart of the one offering the sacrifice is not right. 


The same applies today. It is not enough, for example, to attend church every week and say, "I am a Christian." To be truly a Christian, one must have faith in Jesus and submit to Him as Lord of their life. Mere externals, whilst they might fool those around us, they do not fool God. 

And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God." [Luke 16:15; ESVUK] 

I pray that this explains and answers your question.

May 25 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Leviticus 9:3: And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, "Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering."

Right from the time of creation, the cry of Abel’s innocent blood spilled over the ground, went to God the Father. Abel’s sacrificial offerings of the lamb, made by faith were more excellent sacrifices than Cain's, by which God the Father had respect and testified his gifts. (Gen 4:4/Heb 11:4) Through these sacrificial offerings by faith, Abraham was led to be tested by God the Father, for he was told to take his son to the land of Mo-ri’-ah to offer him as a burnt offering. Abraham took the wood for the burnt offerings and laid it upon his son Isaac, while he held the fire and a knife in his hand. When he came to the mount, he built an altar and laid his son upon the wood; he then raised the knife to slay his son, the angel of the Lord called out to him, “Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do anything unto him. For now, I know thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.” Abraham then lifted his eyes and looked around, and saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. He then took the ram and offered a burnt offering instead of his son on the mount. (Gen 22:6,12-13/John 8:56)

The angel of the Lord who appeared unto Joseph was revealed to fear not, and to take unto him Mary thy wife. For she has conceived in her, of the Holy Ghost, and shall bring forth a Son, and shall call him JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Mat 1:20-210) The offerings to be brought before the Lord Jesus was the sacrifice of faith in Him, to then come and stand before Him as Abraham. One of the rulers of the synagogue, Ja-i’-rus, whose daughter was lying at the point of death, came to our Lord Jesus, saying to lay His hand on her to be healed. Lord Jesus then went with him, and there were great multitudes who followed them. As the Lord Jesus was going, there was a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years. When she heard of Lord Jesus, she came as she believed that if I touched Him, I shall be whole; she then felt in her body that she was healed. Ja-i’-rus was then told by the rulers of the synagogues that his daughter had passed away, and Lord Jesus said unto him, “Be not afraid, only believe.” When Lord Jesus came, He took her by the hand, and she arose and walked before them. (Mark 5:22-23,25,28,35-36,41-42)

The rulers of the synagogues were scribes and Pharisees, along with the elders who opposed and plotted against our Lord Jesus. We then had Judas, who betrayed our Lord, Jesus, the innocent blood, with the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Lord Jesus, who was laid of the iniquity of us all, was then brought as a lamb to the slaughter. He then poured out His soul unto death and bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. For the cry of the blood then went to God the Father to forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Gen 4:10/Mat 26:3-4,27:4/Lk 23:34/Isa 53:7,12) This was the sacrifice for the Lord Jesus’ appearing, who in His own self bore our sins when He was nailed on the cross. For Lord Jesus then said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (1 Peter 2:24.Isa 53:12)

Genesis 4:10: And he said, "What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground." Leviticus 17:11: For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report