Symbols in Scripture part 2
by mike on February 15, 2010
Hidden behind the symbols in our scriptures are the greatest truths that God can impart to us. If we miss these it will be impossible to worship as we should while participating in the ordinances, and learning about the doctrines of the Gospel. Lets review the similarity of Animal Sacrifice and the Sacrament. These 6 points are straight from the Bible Dictionary with my numbers inserted for reference.;
“In all the animal sacrifices of the Mosaic law there were six important acts
1. The presentation of the sacrifice at the sanctuary door by the sacrificer himself, as his personal act.
3. The slaughtering of the animal. The sacrificer himself slew his sacrifice (at the north side of the altar), and thus carried out actually the dedication to God that he had ceremonially expressed by the laying on of hands. A later custom was for the Levites or priests to slaughter the victims.
4. The
pouring out or sprinkling of the blood. The priest collected the blood of the animal in a vessel, and applied it in various ways and places to make an atonement (
Ex. 30: 10;
Lev. 8: 15;
Lev. 16: 18;
Lev. 17: 11).
5. Burning the sacrifice on the altar. After the priest had properly prepared the sacrificial victim he offered it (the whole or the fat only) upon the altar of burnt offering. This act symbolized the consecration of the worshipper to Jehovah.
6. The sacrificial meal (in the case of the peace offering only). The fat having been burnt and the priests’ pieces removed, the rest of the flesh was eaten by the sacrificer, his household, and the poorer Levites at the tabernacle.”
Lets compare this with the current version of the sacrament which involves us going before a Priest holding the Aaronic Priesthood, and like #1 above we are present at the altar where the sacrifice will take place. From D & C 45:3 we read that Jesus is our advocate with the Father, which like #2 above makes him our substitute. After the Priests break the bread, #3, and gather bless the water, #4, during which time through prayer we renew our willingness to take upon us his name, #2, #5, We and our families consume the sacrifice, and are “filled” as were the Nephites when Christ administered the Sacrament in the new world, #6. We remember the words of Isaiah from 53:5, “the chastisement of our peace was upon him” #6, #2.
Unfortunately, more often than not we see an act of animal cruelty rather than a gorgeous covenant, beautifully rich in meaning to those partaking of it. Yet, we can learn from this similarity that the covenants of God don’t change from age to age even though the ordinances do differ greatly. Moreover, the Jews missed the mark because they saw only the outward form, not the identical nature of the covenant, reborn in the new testament or covenant See Matt. 26:28. My hope is that we may see clearly the mark as well as the outward beauty of the symbols that testify of the Only Begotten Son of our Eternal Father.
Share on Facebook
