In the biblical narrative, animals, often referred to as "beasts," play a significant role in the sacrificial system established by God. These creatures are frequently depicted as being cut off or sacrificed due to the sins of humanity, serving as a poignant reminder of the cost of sin and the necessity of atonement.

Old Testament Sacrificial System

The sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament is central to understanding the role of beasts in atonement for sin. In Leviticus, God provides detailed instructions for various offerings, many of which involve the sacrifice of animals. Leviticus 1:3-4 states, "If one's offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer an unblemished male. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, so that he may be accepted by the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so that it may be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him."

The laying of hands on the animal symbolizes the transfer of sin from the individual to the beast, which is then sacrificed in the sinner's place. This act underscores the principle that sin incurs a penalty, often requiring the shedding of blood for atonement, as stated in Hebrews 9:22 , "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

Passover Lamb

One of the most significant examples of beasts being cut off for the sins of men is the Passover lamb. In Exodus 12, God commands the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to the doorposts of their homes. Exodus 12:13 declares, "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."

The Passover lamb serves as a substitutionary sacrifice, sparing the Israelites from the judgment that befalls Egypt. This event foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God," who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is another critical instance where beasts are sacrificed for the sins of the people. Leviticus 16 describes the ritual involving two goats: one is sacrificed as a sin offering, and the other, the scapegoat, is sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of Israel. Leviticus 16:21-22 explains, "He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites. In this way, he will place them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their iniquities into a solitary place, and the man will release it into the wilderness."

Prophetic Significance

The sacrificial system and the role of beasts in atonement are not merely ritualistic but carry profound prophetic significance. The sacrifices point to the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and the prophets. Isaiah 53:7 prophesies about the Messiah, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth."

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the sacrificial system finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:4 states, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate atonement for sin, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete. As the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:2 , "And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God."

The imagery of beasts being cut off for the sins of men serves as a powerful testament to the gravity of sin and the depth of God's provision for redemption through sacrifice.Genesis 6:7
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repents me that I have made them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 7:23
And every living substance was destroyed which was on the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 11:5
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 4:3
Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwells therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yes, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Story of David
... he had often to defend them from wild beasts. ... [Illustration: David seized his sword
and cut off his head.]. ... the fields in his sheepskin coat, often sleeping out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/david the shepherd boy/the story of david.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... to be with them." Godly men's hearts are often tickled to ... He is punished by himself
as if he had cut off his own ... They are beasts and not men towards the people ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Temptation
... leave Him in the desert with wild beasts, without food ... alone, but by every word of
God." Often the follower ... some plain requirement of God will cut off his means ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 12 the temptation.htm

The Blessing and the Curse.
... you turn to Him continually, and as often as you ... pastures, a very garden of the Lord,
cut off and defended ... hand against his fellow, till the wild beasts of the ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxiv the blessing and.htm

Of Atheistical Discourse.
... of sacred Writ, that it is so often quoted: and ... rude intrusions either of men or
beasts: and after ... would not thus madly defeat themselves, cut off their best ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section iii of atheistical discourse.htm

Letter xi. Mental Cultivation. Reading.
... that individuals, whom God could have cut off by a ... Often, events which seem, at first
glance, to be ... is marked; all their contests with wild beasts and serpents ...
/.../letter xi mental cultivation reading.htm

"And Truly Our Fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son ...
... that was between God and man, and cut off that blessed ... beasts, that they devour one
another, which beasts do not in ... and subdue them, as it is often holden out ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii and truly our.htm

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... abundantly, and therefore you have it so often repeated in ... and life being thus eclipsed
and cut off, the Lord ... find eternal life in those dead beasts, in those ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

Mercy, Omnipotence, and Justice
... will often tell the sinner of his sins, often urge him ... night, and the crew of worse
than beasts besiege the ... all the children of Ammon should be cut off; he had ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/mercy omnipotence and justice.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ...
... But such like doubtful matters did not often occur for ... owners, who had not safeguarded
their beasts from these ... as vile and abject, was to be cut off from the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were 3.htm

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