Well said, but I don't believe correct. in other words, 'it is impossible for the blood of bull and goats to take away sins' permanently. Which is why they had to be offered perpetually. This was the author of Hebrews point, that Christ's final sacrifice covered future sins, the Levitical oblations were only as good until one's next sin. Plus, there were prescriptions for the unknown sins, which would include any action considered offensive to God. Yes, morality cannot be legislated, but Yom Kippur was just exactly for that. The Day of Atonement was just that, propitiation with God.Nope, wrong!
" it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins,” Hebrews 10:4The real goal of the sin offering was ritual purification. When it comes to the Levitical sacrifice itself, the point was not absolution, but acceptability for entering God’s presence.
Intentional violations of the moral law of God fell into two broad categories and were dealt with accordingly: those for which there was no remedy, resulting in capital punishment, and those for which restitution was required. For the latter, Old Testament law called for reparations to victims to restore the offender.
Old Testament sacrifices could not provide release from spiritual and moral guilt.
In fact one was justified under the old covenant by faith, not by the sacrificial system.
And, purification was done prior to the sacrifice. The priests were to be pure before ministering on the altar. The Israelites were mandated to be pure prior to assembling before God, the Sacrifices were not conducted yet as far as sin offering is concerned.
Faith was not the means to salvation during the Old Covenant, just by the fact that there were two very distinct Covenants. Those who follow the Law, shall live by them, that is, find life through them. David extolled the virtues of the Law as being perfect, and as being Israel's righteousness. They were saved by the Law for the appointed time, in order to stress the stringent demands that God establishes as perfection. Abraham's faith was a forerunner to what was to come, but was not the mandate during the implementation of the Levitical Law. This is why Paul never claims to have faith during his pharisaic period, he only speaks of his exemplary observance of the Law of works.
If faith saved during the time of the Mosaic Law, then there would be no need for a new Law.
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