It’s quite possible that after the last few chapters of LeviticusThere’s been many many books written about this subject over the course of humanity, so there’s no way I’ll be able to cover all of it in one post. However, you may have questions at this point, so I will attempt to answer the major ones as best I can. Bearing in mind that I am not perfect.4
Does God enjoy killing animals? Why did so many animals have to be killed in the chapters we just read?
No. God does not want to kill animals. Animal deaths, the sacrificial deaths of the healthiest, best looking animals are the result of the sins of the people. God wants people to understand what a big deal sin is. The less they sin, the less animals would have to be killed. If they, and we, could only get in line with what God wants us to do with our lives. Once Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again as the perfect sinless sacrifice once and for all, one of the many benefits of that is the need for animal sacrifices is abolished at that moment and forever afterward.
Why didn’t Jesus show up to do that sooner?
That’s an interesting question I’m never going to have an answer. Let’s go to #3.
Does God like putting people to death?
This one is also no, believe it or not. God loves all of His creation. Even stubborn humans. Every time God has had to put someone to death, it is a direct result of humans not doing simple things God asked them to do. There is always a warning first. God wants us to listen to His warnings so that He isn’t put in a bad position of having to put people to death. “Don’t touch the Saini mountain.” “Don’t touch the Ark of the Covenant. I gave you poles so that you could carry it properly” “Don’t burn unauthorized incense.” “Repent so I don’t have to destroy the city in 40 days.” “Before you think of killing someone, the equal thing will happen to you. So, think it over and maybe don’t do it at all.” There are more examples, but these are the ones I can think of right now. There is always a clear warning. The problem with us humans is that we don’t always listen. We really should. It’s for our betterment. God doesn’t want to kill anyone. However, He is also Holy and cannot be around sin. That’s why He warns and warns and warns. Ultimately that’s why He sent Jesus for us. To make things right with HIm.
We will learn about that incense example in the next chapter. I figured this would be a good time to address all of this before people got too scared to continue. Let’s keep it going, shall we?
IIWAC PAUSE: Violence In The Bible
Does God enjoy killing animals? Why did so many animals have to be killed in the chapters we just read?
No. God does not want to kill animals. Animal deaths, the sacrificial deaths of the healthiest, best looking animals are the result of the sins of the people. God wants people to understand what a big deal sin is. The less they sin, the less animals would have to be killed. If they, and we, could only get in line with what God wants us to do with our lives. Once Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again as the perfect sinless sacrifice once and for all, one of the many benefits of that is the need for animal sacrifices is abolished at that moment and forever afterward.
Why didn’t Jesus show up to do that sooner?
That’s an interesting question I’m never going to have an answer. Let’s go to #3.
Does God like putting people to death?
This one is also no, believe it or not. God loves all of His creation. Even stubborn humans. Every time God has had to put someone to death, it is a direct result of humans not doing simple things God asked them to do. There is always a warning first. God wants us to listen to His warnings so that He isn’t put in a bad position of having to put people to death. “Don’t touch the Saini mountain.” “Don’t touch the Ark of the Covenant. I gave you poles so that you could carry it properly” “Don’t burn unauthorized incense.” “Repent so I don’t have to destroy the city in 40 days.” “Before you think of killing someone, the equal thing will happen to you. So, think it over and maybe don’t do it at all.” There are more examples, but these are the ones I can think of right now. There is always a clear warning. The problem with us humans is that we don’t always listen. We really should. It’s for our betterment. God doesn’t want to kill anyone. However, He is also Holy and cannot be around sin. That’s why He warns and warns and warns. Ultimately that’s why He sent Jesus for us. To make things right with HIm.
We will learn about that incense example in the next chapter. I figured this would be a good time to address all of this before people got too scared to continue. Let’s keep it going, shall we?