Animal sacrifice

[That_one_guy]

Why did God accept Abels sacrifice over Cains? Why did the ancient Jews sacrifice animals?I know that Jesus’ sacrifice abolished this.And I am also aware that Hebrews 10:4(good buddy ) states that the BLOOD of bulls and goats cannot redeem…etc
So what was it that God required from these animals that ,at least temporarily, appeased Him?

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Redemption of animals

According to the Mosaic Law, the first-born male of animals was sacred to the Lord, and, if a first-born of legally clean animals, and without blemish, had to be offered in sacrifice. As unclean animals should not be immolated to Yahweh, their first-born was either to be redeemed according to the valuation of the priest, with the addition of one-fifth of the value, or to be sold and the price given to the priest (Leviticus 27:27). The first-born of an ***, however, had to be redeemed with a lamb, or, if not redeemed, put to death (Exodus 13:13). Outside of the first-born, any animal could be dedicated to God by vow. It would be ransomed only if it were legally unfit for sacrifice, in which case the price for its redemption was left to the valuation of the priest, to which was added one-fifth of the value (Leviticus 27:11-13).

from
newadvent.org/cathen/12681a.htm

Inquiring minds want to know…

 

[Angels_Unaware]

Hebrews 11:4 says that it was because the blood offering of Able was made in faith. As far as I am aware, it is debated among scholars why a blood sacrifice was considered to be made in faith while the grain offering was not. Remember there are other passages in the Bible where God tells the people he is tired of their burnt offerings; of course they were people who callously sacrificed and simply sinned again.

It is fascinating why/how animalas are sacrificed. It seems cruel and unnecessary to us, but it pre-figures Christ because the animals were totally innocent and pure.

Everytime we sin, we actually cause death. Those sins may not immediately cause death, but they go out into the world like a boomerang and will eventually come back to us, gaining intensity. To stop the boomerang, the sacrifice of a living animal absorbs the full consequences of sin. Before Jesus, all people were beholden to the full consequences of their sins except the Jewish race who was taught how to ritualistically purify themselves of sin.

 

[buffalo]

Part of this is because they worshiped animals and made them gods. Animal sacrifice was a constant reminder that they were not.

 

[That_one_guy]

Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh:

What is it about the blood that sanctifies unto the cleanness of the flesh?

Hebrews 10

1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.

2 Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year.

4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;

6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hadst no pleasure:

7 Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God.

8 Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law),

9 then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10 By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

I’m not sure why the sacrifices were required in the first place? Was it a redemption of sin? a placation?

I accept as postulate that it was Christ’s blood that bought us our redemption.

But,what was it that God wanted from the animals?

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.

If the blood makes atonement for the soul, then is there an implication here that perhaps animals contain a soul?
Why would God require animal sacrifice as a redemption for the soul of there was no soul in the animals blood?

I really want to know…

 

[WatchfulPilgrim]

Well Paul uses an analogy where he likens the Old Covenant to a schoolmaster or teacher. I’m certain the spilling of blood from all of these sacrifices being offered had an impact in teaching them the seriousness of sin.

 

[That_one_guy]

Well Paul uses an analogy where he likens the Old Covenant to a schoolmaster or teacher. I’m certain the spilling of blood from all of these sacrifices being offered had an impact in teaching them the seriousness of sin.

Luke 22:44And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Key wordAGONY
Hebrews 13:12Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
Key wordSUFFERED

These seem to be clues.

I’m thinking that perhaps there is some correlation between suffering, pain,and blood.An emotion of sorrow which God responds to
.
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Key wordBROKEN

Clues?or am I just wandering around with no direction?

 

[Seatuck]

I was taught that God accepted Abels sacrifice over Cain’s because Abel gave of his first fruits and Cain did not. Abel gave the best he had and Cain did not. I was never taught it had anything to do with the blood sacrifice.

 

[That_one_guy]

I was taught that God accepted Abels sacrifice over Cain’s because Abel gave of his first fruits and Cain did not. Abel gave the best he had and Cain did not. I was never taught it had anything to do with the blood sacrifice.

hmmm…
I’ll buy that.But, it seems to be somehow incomplete.This just doesn’t satisfy me,yet.

 

[Nita]

I was taught that God accepted Abels sacrifice over Cain’s because Abel gave of his first fruits and Cain did not. Abel gave the best he had and Cain did not. I was never taught it had anything to do with the blood sacrifice.

I think God’s rejection of Cain’s sacrifice had more to do with his interior attitudes.
Genesis 4:5-7 … The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you,** but you must master it.**”

 

[Angels_Unaware]

Luke 22:44And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
Key wordAGONY
Hebrews 13:12Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
Key wordSUFFERED

These seem to be clues.

I’m thinking that perhaps there is some correlation between suffering, pain,and blood.An emotion of sorrow which God responds to
.
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Key wordBROKEN

Clues?or am I just wandering around with no direction?

No, I agree with you and I have wondered about the same thing. There was a man named Howard Storm who was an atheist and died when his stomach ruptured, and then had surgery and came back to life (or this is his claim). Now he says, (this is obviously just one reported experience, not Church teaching) that when he was ‘dead’ there were either evil humans or demons (he didn’t know which) that led him into hell and ripped his soul-body apart. The evil beings kept saying, “pain is (expletive)”. He became a preacher after he lived.

IF that experience were authentic and worthy belief, I have wondered what it would tell us about the nature of pain and suffering. I think it tells us that there is some spiritual benefit to suffering and we make a mistake when we naturally try to avoid it. Now, this is our nature, to be hedonists, so it is a sacrifice for us to embrace suffering. But perhaps the sacrifice of embracing suffering is paradoxical. By suffering, we transform sin into joy, just as when we lose our life we gain it.

We already know that God values the suffering of innocent animals as spiritually benefical (to the Jews), so it is interesting. We also know through the revelation of Our Lady of Fatima that the Blessed Mother wished for the innocent to suffer to increase God’s mercy for sinners.

 

[Jerry-Jet]

When did the Jewish faith give up sacrificing animals?

 

[rwoehmke]

When did the Jewish faith give up sacrificing animals?

After the destruction of the Temple in 70AD. At that time It was the only place where sacrifices could be made by Jewish priests.

Actually sacrifice including that of humans has been a part of man’s relationship with God or the gods in many different places and cultures; almost as if it is a normal human reaction to the gods they fear or wish to placate. We are hardwired for sacrifice.

 

[That_one_guy]

No, I agree with you and I have wondered about the same thing. There was a man named Howard Storm who was an atheist and died when his stomach ruptured, and then had surgery and came back to life (or this is his claim). Now he says, (this is obviously just one reported experience, not Church teaching) that when he was ‘dead’ there were either evil humans or demons (he didn’t know which) that led him into hell and ripped his soul-body apart. The evil beings kept saying, “pain is (expletive)”. He became a preacher after he lived.

IF that experience were authentic and worthy belief, I have wondered what it would tell us about the nature of pain and suffering. I think it tells us that there is some spiritual benefit to suffering and we make a mistake when we naturally try to avoid it. Now, this is our nature, to be hedonists, so it is a sacrifice for us to embrace suffering. But perhaps the sacrifice of embracing suffering is paradoxical. By suffering, we transform sin into joy, just as when we lose our life we gain it.

We already know that God values the suffering of innocent animals as spiritually benefical (to the Jews), so it is interesting. We also know through the revelation of Our Lady of Fatima that the Blessed Mother wished for the innocent to suffer to increase God’s mercy for sinners.

For the record I saw the proverbial ring of fire Johnny Cash sang about.So,I don’t doubt these stories when I here them.

As for the suffering, i also know that my more urgent petitions which the Lord has answered the way I wanted them answered were generally accompanied with great sorrow.

I’m interested to see what other people come up with.
Does this imply that animals suffer? and if so, then do they have a soul?Is there a difference between the soul of a human and the soul of an animal?

Someone already mentioned that there was human sacrifice also.

Genesis 1:29 shows that God intended for us to be vegetarian.Was the blood or meat then reserved for Him?

So many questions…

 

[WatchfulPilgrim]

I am curious: If God intended for us to be vegetarian then why did the Israelites eat meat? And why did Peter have a vision in which God told him to eat animals?

 

[That_one_guy]

I am curious: If God intended for us to be vegetarian then why did the Israelites eat meat? And why did Peter have a vision in which God told him to eat animals?

I don’t know.St.Jerome said that God gave us meat after the flood because of the hardness of our hearts.He compared it to being allowed to divorce.
And I’m pretty sure that Pauls vision was in reference to converting gentiles and had absolutely nothing with actual food.At least if you read the story .It comes out that way to me,anyway,when I read it.

 

[Angels_Unaware]

I am curious: If God intended for us to be vegetarian then why did the Israelites eat meat? And why did Peter have a vision in which God told him to eat animals?

I think they ate meat because they are human. Peter’s vision was symbolic. Remember, the Lord said, “Arise, Peter, slay and eat”. Peter said, “no, Lord, nothing unclean has touched my lips.” He finally obeyed, and when he did, realized that the Law had been abolished in the person of Jesus Christ.

For the record I saw the proverbial ring of fire Johnny Cash sang about.So,I don’t doubt these stories when I here them.

As for the suffering, i also know that my more urgent petitions which the Lord has answered the way I wanted them answered were generally accompanied with great sorrow.

I’m interested to see what other people come up with.
Does this imply that animals suffer? and if so, then do they have a soul?Is there a difference between the soul of a human and the soul of an animal?

Someone already mentioned that there was human sacrifice also.

Genesis 1:29 shows that God intended for us to be vegetarian.Was the blood or meat then reserved for Him?

So many questions…

Oh, without doubt animals suffer, and I personally believe they have souls.

I think they are sacrificed not because they are unimportant to God, but because of their complete innocence. They did not fall.

 

[That_one_guy]

I think they ate meat because they are human. Peter’s vision was symbolic. Remember, the Lord said, “Arise, Peter, slay and eat”. Peter said, “no, Lord, nothing unclean has touched my lips.” He finally obeyed, and when he did, realized that the Law had been abolished in the person of Jesus Christ.

Oh, without doubt animals suffer, and I personally believe they have souls.

I think they are sacrificed not because they are unimportant to God, but because of their complete innocence. They did not fall.

So,what is it about the blood that makes it so special?
Quote:
Hebrews 10

1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.

2 Else would they not have ceased to be offered? because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year.

4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;

6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hadst no pleasure:

7 Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God.

8 Saying above, Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein (the which are offered according to the law),

9 then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10 By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

I’m sorry guys.I have a hunch about something.But, i don’t know what it is.
It’s like there is an ‘AHA’ just around the corner.I think its actually leading me to investigate prayer and fasting.and the sacrifice part was just a clue…

I like to think I know a lot about stuff.But,there is something about these connections just bug the heck out of me and I can’t seem to get them to connect.Although, it seems as if they should.

I feel like one of those posters I grumble about when they keep saying the same thing over and over again and it seems like they just don’t get it.
Because, there is something about it I just don’t get.

 

[WatchfulPilgrim]

I don’t know.St.Jerome said that God gave us meat after the flood because of the hardness of our hearts.He compared it to being allowed to divorce.
And I’m pretty sure that Pauls vision was in reference to converting gentiles and had absolutely nothing with actual food.At least if you read the story .It comes out that way to me,anyway,when I read it.

Interesting. I never read that from St. Jerome. Actually, I’ve probably not read much by him to begin with.

I think they are sacrificed not because they are unimportant to God, but because of their complete innocence. They did not fall.

This is probably true. That is another way I see it.

I’m sorry guys.I have a hunch about something.But, i don’t know what it is.
It’s like there is an ‘AHA’ just around the corner.I think its actually leading me to investigate prayer and fasting.and the sacrifice part was just a clue…

I like to think I know a lot about stuff.But,there is something about these connections just bug the heck out of me and I can’t seem to get them to connect.Although, it seems as if they should.

I feel like one of those posters I grumble about when they keep saying the same thing over and over again and it seems like they just don’t get it.
Because, there is something about it I just don’t get.

HAHA! I was trying to figure out what you were getting at. I was waiting for your punchline . Oh well, I’ll hang on here in case you do figure it out. The innocence theme definately comes to mind especially in light of the unfathomable innocence of Jesus the Lamb. I’ve no doubt the sight of blood continually flowing from the altar was a lesson in the seriousness of sin and its consequences.

I pray you find your answer, TOM

 

[That_one_guy]

I think this is going nowhere.If I knew how to close this thread I would.
Thanks everybody for your (name removed by moderator)ut.I’ll stay subscribed just in case anybody has anything of real value to say.You never know,…

I love all of you
In Jesus

Bill