Oh God, There Must Be An Easier Way?

As you can tell by my title, it’s basically a complaint on man’s part. Men (and women) are known for complaining. Not that we do it on purpose, but we are always looking for an easier way. Think about it, your job, raising your family (if you have one). Remembering things, learning to read, learning another language. Fundamentally, everything fits in this umbrella.

Burnt Offering Lev 1; 6:8-13; 8:18-21; 16:24 Bull, ram or male bird (dove or young pigeon for the poor); wholly consumed; no defect Voluntary act of worship; atonement for unintentional sin in general; expression of devotion, commitment and complete surrender to God

Grain Offering Lev 2; 6:14-23 Grain, fine flour, olive oil, incense, baked bread (cakes or wafers), salt; no yeast or honey; accompanied burnt offering and fellowship offering (along with drink offering) Voluntary act of worship; recognition of God’s goodness and provisions; devotion to God

Fellowship Offering Lev 3; 7:11-34 Any animal without defect from herd or flock; variety of breads Voluntary act of worship; thanksgiving and fellowship (it included a communal meal)

Sin Offering Lev 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30; 8:14-17; 16:3-22 1. Young bull: for high priest and congregation
2. Male goat: for leader
3. Female goat or lamb: for common person
4. Dove or pigeon: for the poor
5. Tenth of an ephah of fine flour: for the very poor Mandatory atonement for specific unintentional sin; confession of sin; forgiveness of sin; cleansing from defilement

Guilt Offering Lev 5:14-6:7;
7:1-6 Ram or lamb Mandatory atonement for unintentional sin requiring restitution; cleansing from defilement; make restitution; pay 20% fine

Now can you see why the men of the old testament priests would be complaining. I am not saying they all complained, but I am saying, if men are anything like men are today, some must have been complaining.
Now one thing I want to recognize, we only see in the bible that people brought their sacrifices to the altar, and the priests would sacrifice them. NOWHERE does it mention the hesitating animal. Imagine for a moment, that you are an elder man, 60+ and you have a ram or a bull for a sacrifice. You weight 180 lbs. your sacrifice weights 1800 lbs (possibly more). Who do you think will win the tug – o – war.Priests, by law, could only start their work at the age of 30 and retired at 50, I think that was the best thing to do, as men are most capable, and most mature between these ages.Now think of all the pulleys, the ropes, the struggling, the pulling, the pushing, the bruising, the pigeons flying off, the animals running off. There is no one that can seriously imagine the scene accurately aside possibly a farmer that has dealt with these animals moments before they died. My uncle owns a farm and a meat shop. I have witnessed ( at a young age) the killing of cattle for meat. I can only say this, the cow doesn’t want to go. And instead of men with ropes and pulleys, it was a chain and an engine. This tells me there is no way this was easy. And this is what was needed for the forgiveness of sacrifices. I can only think that most of the time, the priests must have said to themselves “there must be an easier way”.
Dear friend, there is, a much, much easier way. About 2000 yrs ago, on that cross in Jerusalem. When He died, He WAS the sacrifice for sin. He took the punishment so you might not have to. Here’s the big issue, if you don’t put your faith in Him, that gory day, the blood, oh the blood, the whipping, the spitting, the insults, the punching. Then hanging on the cross.I see people with crosses hanging on their rearview mirrors all the time. If they really knew what the cross was about, they would be humiliated to have it. I don’t see it as humiliating, but I do see it as the reason my sins are forgiven.

Dear Friend, trust in Christ while you are still breathing on earth. When you cross to the other side, it WILL be too late.