We have missed the mark, the purpose for which we have been made and therefore should be destroyed, being worthless, and discarded being useless. But because He loved us he desired a reason not to destroy us. This reason came in the form of an agreement, a promise or a covenant that stipulates: we will no longer remain useless or worthless. But fulfill the purpose for which we were made.

Sadly though we are not like God who’s word is enough. We are not that reliable; our word is not that sure. This is where sacrifice comes in. Sacrifices represent a commitment on the part of the one performing it to fulfill the debt owed to the other party. A pledge, if you will to pay up. Since words was not enough the sacrifice would suffice to appease the wrath of the one to whom the debt was owed. It would make things easier for the debtor however if the creditor let him now what would be a suitable or sufficient sacrifice.

In the Old Testament blood sacrifice was what God required of his people. And in the New Testament the blood of Jesus Christ was enough to gain our redemption. But is it blood that God is asking for? Real blood? I think not. For one thing, the blood of bulls and goats were not enough. ‘For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.’ HEB. 10:4. But by Christ’s blood have we gained our cleansing. HEB. 9:14;‘ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.’ Hence I ask again, is it blood that he requires? Again I say I think not! HEB. 10:8 "Thou hast neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings". Instead he desired a life of obedience.1 SAMUEL 15:22; And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

The phrase ‘but a body hast though prepared for me’ means that a life of service and obedience is expected from the one that has this ‘prepared’ body.

Then you might ask, why then did he ask for the blood of bulls and goats in the first place? The New Testament teaches that many things done in the Old Testament was for ‘our instruction’ (ROM. 15:4) and that the law was just a shadow of the good things (New Testament) to come (HEB. 10:1). So that apart from the blood sacrifices being a token of obedience for them that practiced them, it has real implications for us today. That is, the blood represents the life of the body in which it flows, (LEVITICUS 17:12 For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life) and the bodies required for Old Testament sacrifices were usually those of bulls and goats and sheep. These are domesticated animals: being humbled and obedient. So in the blood of bulls and goats was the representation of a life of obedience!

Is it blood sacrifice that God requires of us? No! Those were just a shadow of what he really wants from us. Rather it is a life of obedience in Christ that will please him and appease his wrath! Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Walter

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