The Kingdom Come

If a person were to read the Bible from Genesis forward, one thing that they would notice is that God prescribed the death of animals and the use of their blood in religious ceremonies. The question is why?

CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANIMALS

Perhaps the first blood sacrifice mentioned in the Bible is found in Gen 3:21 wherein we see God making garments out of animal skins to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. It is assumed God killed the animal(s) He used, rather than simply making skins.

By the time we reach Gen 4:4, it seems that Adam's family was killing animals, both for food and as an offering to God. There is no previous mention of God requiring or desiring sacrificial animal offerings. It appears Abel offered the "fat of his firstborn" without any prompting by God.

In Gen 4:10-11 we see human blood as significant and of worth; the spilling of it a negative act.

In Gen 7:2-3,8-9 we see the first mention of "clean" and "unclean" animals. (see Lev 11:1-47 and Deut 14:1-21 for full list) This idea of clean and unclean animals plays a major role in what could be or not be eaten but also sacrificed to God and would act as a "type" or symbol of the ultimate sacrifice, Christ Himself. So, there appears to either be more detailed information omitted that leads up to the understanding in Gen 7 as to what is a clean and unclean animal, since it appears Noah already knew the difference, or Gen 7 is retroactively appealing to Lev 11:1-47/Deut 14:1-21 and the Herbrew/Jewish general knowledge of the "kosher" laws. Either way, it is important to understand the concept of clean and unclean animals.

In Gen 8:20-22 we see Noah making a sacrifice to God of a "clean" animal and God being pleased with it and promising to never destroy the earth again, even though man is evil.

LIFE BLOOD

In Gen 9:1-6 we see a more detailed explanation of the significance of blood; it contains the life of the being. Although it was assumed humans ate animals back in at least Gen 4:4, it appears in Gen 9:3 that God officially is giving humans the right to eat animals yet with the "kosher" restriction of first draining it of all blood per Gen 9:4.

The explanation of blood sacrifice is found in Gen 9:5-6 wherein God says:

"Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man."

BLOOD ATONEMENT

This explains the significance of innocent blood sacrificed in the place of guilty blood; first as typified in animal sacrifices and ultimately in Christ's own sacrifice. But not just innocent blood, but that of the "clean". Jesus being "clean" or sinless was the only sacrifice that could make the ultimate payment. (See Lev 17:11)

The Fall of Adam was the "death" of humanity that made humanity an "unclean" thing, only and ultimately to be restored, not by the blood of animals but of Jesus. (see Romans 3:23-26, Eph 5:1-2, Heb 9:22-28, 1 John 4:10)