Sacrifice: why do a god need it?

[.lava]

I actually don't know too.

It is rather strange. Noah's sacrifice in Genesis 8:20-21, just make me wondered if God like the smell of burning animal's flesh.

Do you ever like to smell of cooked meat? Like roast lamb? Or roast chicken or duck?

(If you are vegetarian, forget that I even ask.)

i am find with BBQ but smell of meat while boiling...i feel like i am about to vormit. never changes. i can't stand that smell. in our culture it's said jinns like that smell.

.

 

[gnostic]

Well as you are an enthusiast of Classical civilizations I find this question weird coming from you. you must be aware of the burnt offerings of the Greeks and the Romans. im sure the term Hecatomb (the sacrifice of 100 bulls) is no stranger to you.
the sacrifice of animals has very practical uses. for feasts, and food in general, the addition is having ritualistic aspects in the process.

I recall why the gods want sacrifice, but I don't recall they want the sacrifice for the "smell" of burnt flesh.

Perhaps the smell is like burning incense for them.

 

[Francis]

Well, i don't think God really "smells" it, per say. More like, He knows that you're giving up something you don't need, and, in destroying it, kinda giving it to Him. At least, i think that's how it works... peace!

 

[zenzero]

Friend gnostic,

Quote:
Originally Posted by zenzero
Kindly do share the two commandments which states that he should be whorshipped.
Didn't I give the 2 commandments, here?

Must have been another thread.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Exodus 20:3, JPS
You shall have no other gods beside Me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Exodus 20:4-6, JPS
You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image, or any likeness of what is in heaven above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I the Lord am an impassioned God, visiting the guilt of the parents upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generations of those who reject Me, but showing kindness to the thousandth generation of those who love Me, and keep my commandment.
Instead of "For I the Lord am an impassioned God...", the King James' Version has "for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God..." This is similar to the English translation of the Greek Septuagint Bible.

Jealously is such a human emotion that you would not expect from a god.

The Book of Judges showed how many times God turned away from the Israelites whenever they began worshipping other gods.
__________________

Sorry friend; still find no evidence that here anyone is talking about * WORSHIPING*

It says: You have no other god etc. but nothing about worship.

Love & rgds

 

[fantome profane]

In another topic, Would it Physically Impossible to Load Up Noah's Arc? ...fantome profane quoted to me a couple of verses that reminded me the question that I have been meaning to ask, but it never came up...perhaps due to too many topics going on, therefore distracting me.

It is about Noah sacrificing to god, after they got out of the ark. This is what fantome quoted from the Genesis:



Please note that this topic is not about Noah or the Flood.

Why do a god need to smell the burnt offering or sacrifice?

What do the god gain by the sacrifice or the smell of the sacrifice?

Well let me state the obvious, there is absolutely no reason to think that “God” wanted or needed any kind of sacrifice. No one in this thread so far has provided any reason for thinking so, and I don’t think anyone will be able to come up with a reason.

What we to know is that many ancient people (and some modern people) believed that “God” or “the Gods” wanted sacrifices. I don’t know why they though so but maybe it served a function in their society. It could be that it was a way of establishing status – “look how much I have and how well I am doing that I am able to destroy all this good stuff” (conspicuous consumption – conspicuous combustion). The person who could provide the most for sacrifice would show themselves to be the richest, most generous, and the most pious. Just an idea.

ps
ever smelled pork, even god can't resist that smell

Of course I have no idea as to the actual details of how such a sacrifice would been preformed by ancient Hebrews. I don’t know if the animal would have been skinned and the meat properly cured before hand (whatever they do, I don’t even know the details of what butchers do today – I am a vegetarian, but I know they do something). But if they just toss the animal on the fire the smell would be very different from the smell you associate with a BBQ. Burning carcasses is not generally considered a pleasant smell.

The ned for sacrifices ended when Jesus Christ gave himself willingly up for crucifiction, thus absolving the need for any future sacrifices.

I understand that this is your faith, but you must also understand just how strange it sounds. There is no reason that animal sacrifices would be necessary in the first place. So if they were unnecessary they why was Jesus’ sacrifice necessary? You can’t absolve a need that never existed in the first place. If you believe there was a need for animal sacrifices before Jesus could you explain that to us?

 

[Francis]

The point of sacrifices was to give something back to God. However, since we obviously couldn't walk down the street and hand it to him, we burned it and, in a way (since no one else could use it), reserved it for Him. And animalistic sacrifices were a good thing back then, because they didn't have Jesus's sacrifice. however, now that we have Jesus, animalistic sacrifices are no longer necessary. And we needed Jesus in the first place because, although they were good, they just didn't quite cut it with god. And, well, sacrifice was good in the first place because it was a good way to get on God's good side. Peace!

 

[fantome profane]

The point of sacrifices was to give something back to God. However, since we obviously couldn't walk down the street and hand it to him, we burned it and, in a way (since no one else could use it), reserved it for Him. !

Ok, so “no one else” could use it, but what use would “God” have for it? Why would “God” want or need a burned carcass? And how would this get anyone on “God’s good side”?

 

[Francis]

Well basically, God had no use for it. But it was a way of respecting Him. sorta like setting flowers on the grave of a deceased. And He sees this and is happy that we're thinking of him, i guess. Peace!

 

[Autodidact]

Or could it be that His priests needed the sacrifices? After all, who do you think ate them?

 

[simplytruth]

Hello Gnostic

It is about Noah sacrificing to god, after they got out of the ark. This is what fantome quoted from the Genesis:

Originally Posted by Genesis 8:20-21
And Noah built an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour;

Why do a god need to smell the burnt offering or sacrifice?

What do the god gain by the sacrifice or the smell of the sacrifice?

I will attempt to answer, and hopefully my answer will be suffice.

Perhaps you already know the answer to the question. But you
are patiently waiting for a christian or a bible believer to answer
in a "certain way", that will enable you to...perhaps, ask another
question for him/her to ponder. For sometimes questions can truly
be a "guiding light".

Now, my purpose is not to offend any Bible believer, regardless of
which denomination they have chosen to follow. But, if I do offend...
please forgive me, for this is truly not my purpose. My purpose is
to only answer a question that truly deserves an answer.

Therefore, I tell you the truth, that the one called "LORD" in Genesis 8
is NOT "God". This one in which you inquire is actually the "Angel
of Death" or of "War". This is the one that is sent out for retribution
purposes.

Please understand, there is a difference between "God", "LORD God"
and "LORD". The truth of the three (3) acting as one (1) has yet to
be conveyed to the general mass of bible believers. But, perhaps
someday it will.

Again, it is not my intentions to offend, but to answer a simple question
with truth.

I hope this helped in your understanding of the bible.

Eternal Truth, Life & Love

simplytruth