YAHWEH, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, IS WITH US!
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins ...
(Isaiah 58:1)
Part1 ... File 1 of 8
A Voice In The Wilderness
Animal Sacrific Index
Animal sacrifices may be traced back to the dawn of human history: to the
creation of the world when Adam and his son Abel sacrificed animals to
gain access to the Almighty's presence and favour. Thus the Genesis record
reads:
| Genesis 4:
| 2: ... And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain
was a tiller of the ground.
3: And in process of time it came to pass,
that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4: And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat
thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
|
Since Adam's day generations of believers have sacrificed animals as an
expression of faith and a means of reconciliation. (Gen.8:20-21,
12:7, 13:18)
But whose idea was it in the first place? Was it man's idea, or was it God's?
Strange as it may seem it was God's idea. The Almighty had diligently
instructed man that he would not receive forgiveness or blessing if he did not
approach Him with the blood of a sacrifice. So down through the ages many
thousands of animals were sacrificed as a means of access to Yahweh's holy
presence. Later, again by divine decree, animal sacrifices were included in the
laws given to Israel through Moses: but with a difference:
- The blood of the sacrifices was to be brought to the Door of the
Tabernacle(Exodus 29:11,32,42) and later to the Temple in Jerusalem.
- And there an Aaronic priest would consecrate the sacrifice and
apply its blood to the altar and the repentant sinner.
Failure to meet these basic requirements would prove disastrous for the persons
involved. So in the course of time, millions of animals and birds were slain
by Israel's priests and Levites as part of the worship installed by YAHWEH
the Almighty God of Israel. It was a ghastly, bloody drama to say the
least; and it went on year after year for many centuries.
To be sure Yahweh commanded it; but what did it mean? Why did a God of love
design such a bloody and costly route to His presence? What did the blood of
an innocent animal have to do with obtaining mercy? What mysterious lessons
did the Creator have in mind which could not be taught in any other way? More
importantly, are believers today expected to sacrifice animals before they can
approach His holy throne?
These are questions which need answering, especially in Africa
where to this day many Christian groups sacrifice bulls, goats, rams
and pigeons as part of their worship of the Most High. Are their sacrifices in
line with Bible requirements? Is there something they know that the
Christians in Europe and the USA do not? Or have their leaders
misunderstood the role of the Aaronic Priesthood and the
all-encompassing sacrifice of Jesus and are making unnecessary, yea
unauthorized sacrifices which amount to a denial of the Christian
faith? This online booklet aims to answer these questions by briefly
explaining the following:
- The Old & New Covenants
- The Sacrificial System
- The Aaronic (Levitical) Priesthood
- The Melchisedec Priesthood
- Unauthorized Altars / Sacrifices
- The Sacrifice of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah
- The Spiritual Sacrifices of Today
A Voice In The Wilderness
Animal Sacrific Index
Author: Elder: David B. Loughran - Stewarton Bible School - Stewarton Scotland
Elders: Max W. Mader & Chris A. Yenni
A Voice In The Wilderness - Toronto Canada - USA
Web-Site - www.avoiceinthewilderness.org
First published 1979 / Placed on the Internet 1996 / Updated: 1998 / Updated: 2003