One cannot approach God without the shedding of blood. This was true in the Old Testament regarding sacrifices, and it is true in the New Testament when one considers the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Since God was the one who determined the nature of sacrifice, it was He who outlined the nature and types of sacrifices that were acceptable. This was never left up to mankind as evidenced by Cain’s sacrifice in the book of Genesis (4:5).

For one thing, every sacrifice had to be ceremonially “clean” to garner acceptance from God. Every creature designated as “clean” for the purpose of consumption was not acceptable for sacrificial purposes. Only oxen, cattle, sheep, doves, pigeons, and goats were acceptable offerings. Beyond these things, offerings had to be grains, wine, or oil. God was discerning about those things acceptable for offerings.

The offering of these items served a greater purpose than for pagan gods of the near east. Unlike the idols that were worshipped, God had no need of food for sustenance. One source says,

These materials were selected perhaps to teach that people should give to God from that which sustains their lives. In short, people were required to give God the gift of their lives. Therefore, God repeatedly emphasized that He did not need or desire food and sacrifices themselves. He wants our live commitment, and service (Deut. 6:5; 1 Sam. 15:22). 1

All sacrifices were substitutionary in nature. Since all human beings are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23), an offering had to be made for their transgressions. All of the offerings made in the Old Testament point to Jesus Christ as the ultimate, one-time, all-sufficient sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:10-18).

Any animal presented for sacrifice had to be physically fit in condition and age. The minor prophet Malachi scolds certain individuals who want to offer animals who were sick, lame and diseased to God (Malachi 1:6-14). This perfection symbolized the faultless sacrifice that would be made by Christ to remove sins once and for all. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” This Lamb of God would be sinless and able to potentially take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

When the animal was presented for sacrifice, the priest would place his hands upon it and symbolically transfer sins upon the creature. This was the means by which the people transferred their guilt and transgressions upon the animal being offered. It was a foreshadowing of what Christ would do for the people. He would take upon Himself the guilt and sins of the people so that He might accomplish their redemption. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who

knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

The Day of Atonement was reflective of this principle. Two goats were selected for this festival. One goat would be put to death, which demonstrated the penalty for sins that had not been atoned for by sacrifice. The blood of this animal was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies, and it symbolized the sacrifice’s ability to atone for the sins (Leviticus 16:15-16) of the people and make them able to be in God’s presence.

The second goat was used as a substitutionary source to transfer the sins of the people onto the scapegoat. The scapegoat was then taken away from the people and led into the wilderness never to return. Leviticus 16:21-22 says, “Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.”

Other sacrificial offerings were sometimes brought on a daily basis. These offerings were given by people who wanted to atone for their sins and once again have fellowship with God (Exodus 29:38; cf. Hebrews 10:11). While these atoned for the sins of the people, “the sacrifice of Christ is most clearly and fully anticipated in the Mosaic system of sacrificial offerings.”2 Hebrews 9:12-14 says, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

The “Burnt Offering” was termed the “whole” offering since the entire sacrifices was to be offered upon the altar. It was continual in nature because the sinfulness of the people required constant and complete atonement (Exodus 29:38-42). It was offered every morning and every night as it was an antitype of Christ’s sacrifice for the atonement of sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

The “Meal Offering” (aka grain, sin, or cereal offering) was prepared and offered to God as a meal. These offerings presented the best elements of human living to be used as God desired (Hebrew 10:5-10). Poor individuals could give the meal offerings as an offering for sin. The meal offering had to be accompanied with a whole burnt offering or a peace offering (Leviticus 2:1; Numbers 15:1-16).

The “Peace Offering” (Judges 21:4; aka heave, wave, thank, or fellowship offering [NIV]) was a bloody offering to God (Leviticus 3:1ff). A portion of the offering was eaten by the priest and the other part was consumed by worshippers and guests who were composed of nonofficiating priests, and the poor (Deuteronomy 12:18; 16:11). “Thus, God hosted the meal, communing with the worshiper and other participants.”3 This sacrifice memorialized the covering of transgressions, God’s forgiveness, and the renewal of a relationship with God. Peace offerings were further broken down into three categories. There were offerings associated with making a vow, pledge, or request of God. There was the “thank offering” that was given as a

result of some blessing. Finally, there was a “freewill offering” that was given spontaneously in praise or worship of God.

Next there was “Sin Offering” or “Guilt Offering.” In this instance, the term “guilt” means owing on account of sinful behaviors. This sacrifice was made when there was no possibility of restitution for intentional or unintentional sins. The one who made this offering had to repent, or there was no forgiveness (Numbers 15:30). Forgiveness was symbolized by the smearing of blood on the horns of the altar of incense or burnt offering and poured out upon base of the altar. In reference to the sin offering, the size and gender of the animal varied based upon the status of the offender. The higher one’s post in the culture, the greater their responsibility for sins.4

At one point in the book of Isaiah, Jesus was declared a “guilt offering.” Isaiah 53:10 says, “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” Jesus carried the penalty of sin for all humankind and the guilt of that sin. In addition to bearing this guilt, He made restitution for the sinner. In doing so, He restores the repentant, obedient sinner to a correct standing with God.

Finally, there was the “Trespass Offering” (Leviticus 5:15). This was an offering made for sins of a lesser degree that were committed intentionally or unintentionally. When this sacrificial offering was made, the blood was sprinkled on the sides of the altar rather than the horns and it symbolized sins of a lesser degree. Along with this offering, the amount of restitution required for the trespass was determined by the priest who was officiating.

God has provided humankind the means for atoning for sins. Under the patriarchal system the male head of the family could make offerings for himself and for members of his household (Job 1:5). As mentioned, those in a unique covenant (the Law of Moses) relationship with God could make offerings and receive atonement for sins. Now, we are under a new covenant relationship with God through obedience to Christ. As such, we have complete and total forgiveness at the point of baptism (Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21) and continued faithfulness (Revelation 2:10) until the time of our death. Christ, as the sacrificial Lamb of God, completely removes sin, so that animal and grain sacrifices are no longer required on a regular basis.

1 Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Ronald F. Youngblood, Gen. Ed, F.F. Bruce and R.K. Harrison, Con. Ed., Nelson, Nashville, 1995, pgs. 1109-1112.
2 Ibid, pg. 1111.
3 Ibid, pg. 1111.
4 Ibid, pg. 1111