03/10/2006

 

Samuel Clifford

 

Many state that Leviticus 4:20 teaches that animal sacrifices can take away sins. Yet how can this be if Hebrews 10:4 teaches that animal sacrifices can't take away sin? The answer is pretty simple.

 

Scriptures:

 

And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them." Leviticus 4:20 KJV

 

"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Hebrews

10:4 KJV

 

The Solution:

 

It is never stated in the Old Testament that sins were completely removed by animal sacrifices. The root of the Hebrew word translated "atonement" in the Old Testament is kaphar, which had the idea of covering, not total removal. These sacrifices were for fellowship forgiveness. When the Israelites sinned they m lost fellowship with God and these sacrifices would bring the back into fellowship.

 

The idea of covering is even shown in the text during the flood event, Noah's ark was to be COVERED with pitch:

 

"Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch (or cover) it within and without with pitch." Genesis 6:14 KJV

 

Essentially the sacrifices were like a bandage, only acting as a covering. They could not remove sin as Hebrews 10:4 says. The sacrifices also pointed forward to the one who could remove sin, that one being Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who shed His blood to accomplish that purpose. 

 

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;" Hebrews 10:10-12 KJV

 

Why Did God Require Animal Sacrifices in the Old Testament? 

 

“And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Hebrews 9:22 NASB1995

 

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Hebrews 9:22 KJV

 

Hebrews 9:22 shows that blood must be shed for sin to be forgiven. Adam and Eve sinned in the Fall of Man. When they did, God killed animals to clothe them (Genesis 3:21). This is an image of that covering discussed earlier. Knowing that shedding of blood is necessary, and that Genesis 3:21 is a picture of it, God allowed a covering of sins so that the Old Testament saints could remain in fellowship with Him.