Tim Maas 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 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