Have you ever wondered where the idea of blood sacrifice for atonement came from?
I must admit that was one thing I could never really wrap my mind around, but it did not concern me enough to go looking for an answer. I understood the concept and how the sacrificial system of the old testament was replaced when God made the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, His Son, to atone for our sin, but none of that explained how the sacrifice of animals was introduced.
A few days ago I had one of those AHA! moments, when something I had read in my bible many times before, took on the status of “golden nugget” as a deeper meaning surfaced. I am always amazed as my study of scripture continues to reveal deeper and deeper layers of understanding. With this new “golden nugget” came a revelation that Jesus was NOT the first blood sacrifice God made on behalf of mankind.
When we discuss the subject of blood sacrifice we tend to focus on the sacrifices the children of Israel made to God. The blood sacrifice of Issac God demanded to test the faith of Abraham, the ram God provided as the substitution, the paschal lambs whose blood sacrifice protected the Hebrew slaves as the angel of death took the firstborn of Egypt, and the many blood sacrifices made upon the altar of the original Temple of Solomon and the second Temple that was destroyed in 70 AD.
To find the first mention blood sacrifice, we must go all the way back to Genesis.
Genesis 3:21 (NKJV)
“Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.”Genesis 3:21 (KJV)
” Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”Genesis 3:21 (NLT)
“And the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.”
The scripture does not jump right out and call it a blood sacrifice, but up until this point in Genesis, no blood had been shed. The animals lived in harmony, Adam and Eve were provided for without meat and had no need of clothing, and God alone provided for and met the needs of every living creature. It was not until they disobeyed that they realized they were naked.
Genesis 3:7-11 (NKJV) ” Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”1 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?””
In the harsh world outside the garden, Adam and Eve would need clothing to protect them from the elements and the environment. Fig leaves were not going to cut it, so God, in His infinite mercy, made a blood sacrifice and covered them in clothing made of animal skins. He literally covered their sin, their nakedness and shame, with a blood sacrifice. It was a supreme act of love. God took the life of living beings that He created and loved, to meet the needs of man whom He loved more.
And so the first blood sacrifice was made on behalf of Adam and Eve as they were cast out from the Garden. Was God disappointed? You bet He was! Was He going to punish them? BIG TIME! Did he leave them or forsake them? Did He stop loving them? Not for a single moment!
The blood sacrifices that God made on our behalf make a statement about the unconditional and unchanging love God has for us. The animal sacrifices the people made to God should have been a reminder of His love, even an act of returning His love, but sadly it became for most a requirement to meet, born of religious doctrine, peer pressure, and fear. The blood sacrifice carried no weight when it was not brought to God out of love.
And so God’s chosen people began their epic journey through history. If they would not make the correct choices to be an example to the rest of the world of how blessed they were living under God’s love and protection, by loving Him with all their hearts, their minds and their strength, and loving their neighbors as they loved themselves, then God would accomplish His purpose for them in another way.
They would be raised up time and again, and time and again they would bow down to the idols of the world around them. They would be taken captive, be persecuted and fall victim to hideous atrocities, they would be murdered in great numbers, they would be scattered to all ends of the earth, but the promise that always loomed large was the promise they would be restored to the land given to their forefathers. This was for their growth, and also for their pruning. When redemption finally came, most would not recognize it. God would send His Son, first to His chosen people, and then to all mankind to teach them the ways of the Living God.
Finally, He would make another blood sacrifice that would extend the blessings promised to His chosen, to all people who called upon Him in truth, and He would wait patiently for a remnant of the children of Israel to understand the meaning of the blood sacrifice and return to Him forever.
Blessings & Adventure,
Lynn “lynnibug” Rios
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I would have guessed Cain and Abel, but it is true that an animal would have had to be killed to provide clothes for Adam and Eve.
Strange how it just sits there between the lines in the verse.
Isn’t there some reference to woman’s menstral cycle as being some sort of blood sacrifice too?
Thanks for an interesting question Anna, I had not heard that before, so I did a little research and did find a reference to that in an article on a women’s health site originating in Australia. The statement they made (below) begins with “The tradition of blood sacrifice” which would seem to indicate they are assuming it is true in all cases. I do not believe that is true, but I would accept that SOME traditions of blood sacrifice do… “have their origin in the ‘sacrifice’ of blood which poured forth from the woman when there was no new life for it to nourish. However, the menstrual blood was given freely and then used to nourish the tribe or the earth in other ways and no-one suffered, unlike later more corrupted versions.”
Thanks so much for your support!