Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ***, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."---To the God of the Bible, women and slaves (servants in the KJV) are the property of men; they are his possessions -- like an ox or an ***.
20:24 "An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee."---God gives instructions for killing and burning animals. He says that if we will make such "burnt offerings," he will bless us for it. What kind of mind would be pleased by the killing and burning of innocent animals?
2007-07-23 21:04:51 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not a Christian, but I must point out that your quotes are from the old testament. That is, it is the Jewish God you are referencing. Christians argue that Jesus changed all that.
Of course, there are problems with the whole idea of details that you dislike in a Bible you want to embrace. But why are burnt offerings a problem unless you are a vegetarian? Vegetarianism is not specific to Christianity or to Judaism.
What kind of mind would be pleased with a barbecue offering? A hungry one! Those offerings were dinner for the priests.
2007-07-23 21:22:01 · answer #1 · answered by auntb93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No his not. God's laws served as a protection for his people. There is not a single verse in the Bible where God told the Nation to do something and it turned out Bad for them.
As far as sacrifices are concerned, God chooses how and what sacrifices pleases Him. We make sacrifices everyday and sometimes dont even think about it.
2007-07-23 21:34:46 · answer #2 · answered by conundrum 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, He is not. God sent Jesus to die for our sins so that these sacrifices would no longer be necessary. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.
You do not undertand that.
Way back then, people had slaves. All HE is saying is not to covet other people's stuff or their spouses.
2007-07-23 21:23:09 · answer #3 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hey!
I'd like to answer your questions. First, it's good that you are attempting to read the Bible and understand what the Lord has said to us.
Exodus 20 is where the 10 commandments are of which you have quoted # 10. If you will look at all the commandments, you will find that they all deal in some way with love - loving God with all your heart and loving your fellow human being. If we truly love God we will obey him, as it Jesus stated in the New Testament. We will not offend Him. The other commandments deal with loving our neighbor as ourselves, as Jesus also stated. If we love (agape) as God loves we will not steal, kill, commit adultery (lust, as Jesus also brought up) nor want what belongs to our neighbor. So, what the Lord brings up in the old Testament, Jesus brings up, shows us and exemplifies for us in His time as one of us (God with us).
The part about the sacrifices is very misunderstood. This is also related to the 10 Commandments.
Sin against God is so serious that the spilling of blood is required to forgive sins. If we break a manmade law we have to pay for the crime. Our sins have brought death - spiritual and physical death. Sin is serious. God initially used the blood of animals spinkled on the altar to temporarily cover our sins. But Jesus giving His life, the life of God Himself, forever eliminates our sins. Only God can redeem the sins of the entire world - past, present and future.
God is wonderful and loving. He's kind and compassionate! Would you give the life of your son for the lives of us all? Even after we so blatantly disregard, disrespect, and are so unappreciative of what God does for each of us on a daily, moment by moment basis. I wouldn't give MY son if people sinned against me or him!
But Romans says that while we were yet sinners, christ DIED for the ungodly. That's love.
As you have noticed, God required a lot of rules, dos and don'ts, absolute obedience or else. This is because to obtain heaven or eternal life in His presence forever we must be holy for He is holy. Perfection is the standard.
We are all sinners as evidenced by the 10 Commandments. These laws/rules are a mirror to show each of us how short we come of the perfection God requires. We are sinners by nature. We are not good people in the sight of God because He sees our acts, thoughts and intentions. Nothing is hidden.
So out of His love for us, He allowed His Son Jesus to be the sacrifice that He required to once and for all forgive our sins and admit us into heaven and into His presence forever.
For God so loved the world that He gave is only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him won't perish (in hell) but have eternal life!
This is the gospel (good news)!
So, our sins are just not something that God winks at. They are serious and will eventually be our ticket to hell if we do not turn from our sins and turn to Jesus as our only salvation, and joyfully and willingly love and serve Him.
I have enjoyed sharing with you. I will pray the Lord will reveal Himself to you and all who read these words.
God's best to you!
ilove2worship
p.s. Read the New Testament. It explains the Old Testament.
2007-07-25 11:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by ilove2worshipjesus 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋