These coverings was declared acceptable by God because they covered more of a man's body and they were produced by the shedding of blood. Furthermore, the curses and the promise of a redeemer fell between man's attempt to cover his sin and God's adequate covering. Man's reaction to God's provision was faith and hope in the Lord. Adam called his wife Eve, which means "the mother of all living". God's provision of adequate coverings for Adam and Eve meant that man could come before God, the source of all life, in the confidence that he would not die. - Gen. 3:7-21 -
The principles of sacrifice are confirmed in the account of Cain and Abel. - Gen. 4:3-5 - Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain for two reasons. - Heb. 11:4 - First, he conformed to the provisions and concepts which God had previously established with Adam and Eve. Second, Abel's offering recognized the just penalty for sin - death - and God gracious provision of an acceptable substitute. To Abel God's provisions was a sacrifice - the substitution of a living being for himself. Abel received God's approval because he believed God and had faith in what God promised. - Gen. 4:4-5 -
When Noah came out of the Ark, his first act was to build an altar upon which he sacrificed animals to God. This pleased God not because God was hungry but because Noah's act was a recognition that God understood his sinfulness, its penalty, and the necessity of blood sacrifice as a divine provision. - Heb. 11:39-40 - Noah represented all mankind who now recognized God's gracious provision and promise. God pledged never again to curse the ground, and He blessed Noah because of his faith. - Gen. 8:20-22 -
Eventually, God called Abraham, who rejoiced in anticipation of the appearance of a promised redeemer. - John 8:56 - Abraham regularly worshiped God by offering sacrifices to Him. God taught Abraham that the ultimate sacrifice would be the sacrifice of human being, one's of Adam's descendants - an only son provided miraculously by God.
The fullest explanation of the concept of sacrifice is found in the Mosaic Law. In this code sacrifice has three central points/ideas: Consecration, Expiation [covering of sin], and Propitiation [satisfaction of divine anger] Only consecration had a kind of sacrifice which spoke of it alone. This was the vegetable or meal offerings. These could not be brought to God, however, unless they were preceded by an expiatory offering, or an animal or bloody sacrifice. There was no consecration [commitment] to God apart from expiation [dealing with the penalty and guilt of sin]. man could not approach God and be right with Him without the shedding of blood.
The general word for sacrifices in the Mosaic Law was qorban - literally "that which is brought near." The fuller designation of these sacrifices was a gift of holiness. - Ezek. 20:40 - The word qorban was used of anything given or devoted to God, so it included more than sacrifices presented at the altar. Sacrifice, however, referred to items placed on the altar to be consumed by God. hence, there was no sacrifice apart from the altar.
The Old Testament also referred to sacrifices as food for Jehovah, and offering made by the fire for the satisfaction of Jehovah. - Lev. 2:2,9, 3:11,16, 22:7 - As a spiritual being, God did not need physical food. Nevertheless, He did insist that these sacrifices be given to Him. Sacrifice as worship is man giving back to God what God has previously given him as a means of grace. Ultimately, these sacrifices speak of the one final and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. - Heb. 10:11-18 -
The gift aspect of sacrifice was emphasized by the many divine regulations determining what was acceptable to God. For man to determine what pleased God would put man in the place of God. Therefore, God determined what was pleasing to Him. Whatever was offered had to be "clean" [acceptable or without sin] Not everything designated "clean" however, was to be offered as a sacrifice. Of the clean animals, only oxen, sheep, goats, and pigeons were acceptable offerings. Likewise, of the clean vegetables, only corn, wine, and oil were proper. These materials were selected perhaps to teach that man should give to God from that which sustains his life. In short, man, was required to give God the gift of his life. Therefore, God repeatedly emphasized that He did not need or desire food and sacrifices themselves. God wants man's love, commitment, and service. - Deut. 6:5; 1Sam. 15:22 -
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament confirm that sacrifices were presented as a gesture. Man was obliged because of his sin, to present offerings by which he gave another life in place of his own. These substitutes pointed forward to the "ultimate substitute, Jesus Christ." - Heb. 10:1-18 -
Ultimately, there is a necessity for man to present himself perfect before God by presenting the perfect one in his place. The true Lamb of God, innocent of all sin, took away the sin of the world.
Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ. - 1Peter 1:18-19 -
The next day, seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, "Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. - John 1:29 -
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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