The concept of sacrifices offered in faith of a coming Savior is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, beginning with the earliest accounts of human interaction with God. Sacrifices in the Old Testament were not merely ritualistic acts but were imbued with profound theological significance, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah.

Early Sacrifices and Faith

The first recorded instance of sacrifice is found in Genesis 4, where Abel offers "the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions" (Genesis 4:4). Abel's offering was accepted by God, indicating that it was made in faith and with a heart aligned with God's will. Hebrews 11:4 affirms this, stating, "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God gave approval to his gifts."

The Sacrifices of the Patriarchs

The patriarchs, including Noah, Abraham, and Jacob, also offered sacrifices that demonstrated their faith in God's promises. After the flood, Noah built an altar and offered burnt offerings, which were pleasing to the Lord (Genesis 8:20-21). Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, as recounted in Genesis 22, is a profound act of faith, foreshadowing the sacrifice of God's own Son. Hebrews 11:17-19 highlights Abraham's faith, noting that he "reasoned that God could raise the dead."

The Mosaic Law and Sacrificial System

The Mosaic Law formalized the sacrificial system, with detailed instructions for offerings that atoned for sin and expressed devotion to God. Leviticus 17:11 underscores the significance of blood in atonement: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls." These sacrifices were a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice to come, as the author of Hebrews explains: "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4).

Prophetic Anticipation of the Messiah

The prophets anticipated a future, perfect sacrifice that would fulfill the requirements of the Law. Isaiah 53 vividly describes the suffering servant who would bear the iniquities of many, a clear messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ. The sacrificial system, therefore, was not an end in itself but a means of preparing the people for the coming Savior.

The Fulfillment in Christ

In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). His sacrificial death on the cross is the culmination of the sacrificial system, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets. Hebrews 9:26 declares, "But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself."

Conclusion

The sacrifices offered throughout the Old Testament were acts of faith, looking forward to the redemption that would be accomplished through Jesus Christ. They served as a constant reminder of humanity's need for atonement and the promise of a Savior who would provide it once and for all.Hebrews 11:4,17,28
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Coming of a Deliverer
... From the beginning there have been some whose faith has reached out ... for the time
then present," in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices; its two ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

The Voice of the Blood of Christ
... been shed anywhere, except that he had faith in Christ ... all the blood of beasts that
ever were offered upon the ... We may say of all the sacrifices that were ever ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the voice of the blood.htm

In his Temple
... The worshipers offered their sacrifices without understanding ... From that day sacrificial
offerings and the service connected with them were meaningless. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 16 in his temple.htm

The Analogy Between the Two Advents of Christ.
... immorality and the misery which accompanied it, called loudly for some fresh faith
which should ... Human sacrifices were frequently offered upon their ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/10 the analogy between the.htm

That this Prophecy Respecting Our Saviour was not the Fiction of ...
... imagine that some one professing our faith, and not ... to objects with which they were
familiar, saying ... be erected, temples raised, and sacrifices offered to the ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xix that this prophecy respecting.htm

Our Inheritance
... in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could ... hadst pleasure therein
which are offered by the ... These were but the foreshadowing of their great and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter v our inheritance.htm

Bound to the Altar
... round her feet, one of her persecutors rode out and offered to spare ... Why these defiled
sacrifices? ... If they were ever really put on the altar they were not, I ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/ix bound to the altar.htm

The Temptation
... The sacrifices that should have revealed His love were offered only to ... in God, then
those who had stood long and valiantly for the right were overcome ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 12 the temptation.htm

In the Holy of Holies.
... opened, and forgiveness of sins was offered to men ... of His mediation, the Jews were
left in total darkness, to continue their useless sacrifices and offerings ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm

In the Holy of Holies
... opened, and forgiveness of sins was offered to men ... blessings of His mediation, the
Jews were left in ... darkness to continue their useless sacrifices and offerings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 24 in the holy.htm

How was Jesus' sacrifice better than the Levitical sacrifices? | GotQuestions.org

If the Jewish people do not offer animal sacrifices, how do they believe they can receive forgiveness from God? | GotQuestions.org

How do we bring blemished offerings to God (Malachi 1:8)? | GotQuestions.org

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