You may wonder when you read the Bible why the men of long ago should kill a lamb, or a goat, or a calf and burn its body on a heap of stones or earth. This was a sacrifice and they were told by God to do so. Sometimes they offered many animals at once, yet soon more must be killed. Over and over again they did this. Now let us try to learn the reason: First, remember it was God, who made all things, so all belongs by right to Him. Every beast is His, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. (Ps. 50.)
Next, remember God has all-wisdom, and knows what is right for people to do.
Most of all, remember God is holy. That means He has no sin, and can have no sin in Heaven. Sin is that dreadful thing within all people which makes us think, speak, and do evil. The Lord wanted people to know that sin deserved death, so if they were to live, another must die in their stead.
God had long before planned to send His Son to earth to take the punishment for sin. At last He came, and gave up His life not on an altar, but on a cross. He was without sin, but died for the sin of the world, and is called the Lamb of God. Since then God says people shall no more offer an animal for sin, but believe and give thanks for the One perfect sacrifice, the lord Jesus, of whom, you see, the animals slain before were only a picture.
Our next story will be of a boy and a sacrifice.
N. B. We are sorry for the mistake in June 7th, “Bible Talks.” Noah was 365 years old when God took him to heaven.
ML 07/26/1936