Law of God
187
The Lord instructed Moses definitely in regard to the ceremonial
sacrifices, which were to cease at the death of Christ. The system
of sacrifices foreshadowed the offering of Christ as a Lamb without
blemish.
The Lord first established the system of sacrificial offerings with
Adam after his fall, which he taught to his descendants. This system
was corrupted before the flood by those who separated themselves
from the faithful followers of God, and engaged in the building of the
tower of Babel. They sacrificed to gods of their own [making] instead
of the God of Heaven. They did not offer sacrifices because they had
[302]
faith in the Redeemer to come, but because they thought they should
please their gods by offering a great many beasts upon polluted idol
altars. Their superstition led them to great extravagances. They taught
the people that the more valuable the sacrifice, the greater pleasure
would it give their idol gods, and the greater would be the prosperity
and riches of their nation. Hence human beings were often sacrificed
to these senseless idols. Those nations had laws and regulations to
control the actions of the people which were cruel in the extreme.
Their laws were made by those whose hearts were not softened by
grace, and while they would pass over the most debasing crimes, a
small offense would call forth the most cruel punishment from those
in authority.
Moses had this in view when he said to Israel, “Behold, I have
taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God com-
manded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess
it. Keep, therefore, and do them; for this is your wisdom and your
understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these
statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding
people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto
them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so
[303]
righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”
God was a wise and compassionate lawgiver, judging all cases
righteously, and without partiality. While the Israelites were in Egyp-
tian bondage, they were surrounded with idolatry. The Egyptians had
received traditions in regard to sacrificing. They did not acknowledge
the existence of the God of Heaven. They sacrificed to their idol gods.
With great pomp and ceremony they performed their idol worship.