Why did the Old Testament promote animal sacrifice, instead of humane treatment of animals?

Question

By the way, I eat meat and I'm not in PETA, but I still don't like the idea of burning animals on an alter.

Answer 1

Don't like burning animals on an altar, eh? Sorry dude, you're missing out on a lot of great BBQs!

Sacrifices were made by all the cultures of the time. God allowed us to continue sacrifices with the exception of human sacrifice. Human sacrifice is NEVER acceptable to God. The only part of the animal sacrifices meant for God was the aroma -- the rest was meant to feed the Levites who administered Temple business. (So much for *blood* sacrifice! Jews are forbidden from eating even one drop of blood.) Thee Levites weren't given any land and were supported by sacrifices.

As you can read in Leviticus, the animals were prepared in a designated ritual which included killing them in the quickest and most humane method possible. Which Jews still do to this day. That is one of the things certified when meat is sold as kosher.

You will find that many Jews are vegetarian as part of our culture. Many believe that we were never intended to eat meat; God allowed us to eat only certain critters and to respect ALL life! Our dietary laws teach us self-restraint, among other things.
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Answer 2

The sacrifice procedure set out in the Old Testament was very, very humane. First, the animal's throat was cut so that it died quickly and with a minimal amount of pain. It was only after they were dead that they were burned. Do you cook your meat? It's the same thing, because the sacrifices were eaten afterwards, so the sacrifices had to be killed in a kosher manner, which today is regarded as one of the most clean, effective, and humane methods out there.

Peace

Answer 3

Why not? You'll kill an animal to satisfy your own belly, but not to show devotion to God?

They didn't burn the animals alive, and for the vast majority of sacrifices performed most of the animal's meat was consumed. It was a method of regulating meat consumption, regulating butchering and sanitation methods, and offering divine worship all at once.

And by the way, the OT husbandry and slaughtering methods were FAR more humane than modern practices. There's more cruelty on your hands today than there was on the patriarchs millenia ago.

Answer 4

It became the laying off of blood to make amends for sin. The Bible says that for the wages of sin is death. interior the old testomony, human beings could sacrifice animals via laying their palms on the animal. That symbolized the moving of one's sin and passing it onto the animal. The animal became then killed. whilst Jesus got here and died on the go, He grew to become the sacrifice as He took upon Himself all the sins of the international. as a result there's no could sacrifice anymore animals. purely confess your sins to God and convey regret.

Answer 5

Do you eat meat? Do you attend BBQ? All sacrifices were was the ritual slaying of the animal in a painless way while sanctifying it's life and thanking G-d before you ate the meat.

Answer 6

It was a COMPLETELY different culture. Besides, they weren't torturing the animals or anything - the animals were killed and burned and sometimes, the meat was eaten afterward. I agree that the concept of doing that kind of thing today kinda gives me the heeby-geebies, but it isn't too different from BBQing. And I know some modern cultures who still bring animals home to kill and cook.

Answer 7

different times.

You have to remember this was a text based for a nomadic culture that existed 4,000 years ago.

Animal sacrifices were the norm. As well as such things as slavery, polygamy, etc.

it would be unreasonable to use 21st century values in such a culture.


I imagine 4,000 years from now humanity is going to look at us as backward, primitive, and inhumane.

Answer 8

Then you are not a good christian. God would not have put it in the bible if she did not want everyone to follow it. Besides, "humane" treatment? What is that? Other than mankind, animals are not human, and therefore should not be treated human'ely'.

Answer 9

When God created humans, he said that we should take care of the animals (Genesis). I don't believe that God came up with the sacrifice concept, I think human beings came up with that deal. Eventually, it was clarified to them, that they did NOT need to do that to worship God. I believe that Jesus made it clear (to those who would listen) that the only thing they needed to do was to believe in Him as the Son of God, that He would die for our sins, that He would be resurrected, and ascend back to God and someday would come again to be with us.
Old Testament "basics" are true...but once Jesus came--New Testament--he clarified the Truth for all who cared to listen and learn.

Answer 10

The Old Testament was full of types and pictures of Christ. The sacrifices were a foreshadowing of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. Animals died; Christ died. Once Christ died, there was no longer any need for animal sacrifices. The bloody Passover, when a lamb was slain, was replaced by the Lord's Supper, with bread and wine.