Types of Biblical Offerings
Offerings to God abound throughout the Bible and are a fundamental expression of devotion, as a plea for God's attention, favor and forgiveness, and as a ritual of thanks. A reader need go no farther than Genesis to find Noah offering birds and animals to God as thanks for the deliverance of his ark.
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Burnt Offerings
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Oldest of all are burnt offerings, sacrifices made by either a community or by individuals. It was believed that the aroma of the offering would be detected by God and would please him. The offerings were of four types: those of the herd (a bull, as only male animals were acceptable); those of the flock (a sheep, lamb or goat); offerings of the air (a turtledove or a pigeon); or grain offerings, in which the devoted burned raw grains or unleavened bread on an altar.
Abraham and Isaac
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Most famous of all Old Testament offerings is the story of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham, who had prospered in life, was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. There has been scholarly dispute about whether it was God's intention to punish Abraham for his mistreatment of his elder son Ishmael, or if it was intended as a test of Abraham's fealty and gratitude. In either event, Abraham obeys, and as the knife is poised to take Isaac's life, an angel appears, granting him God's reprieve. In thanks for that, Abraham sacrifices a ram.
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A Vital Connection
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Reverend Russell Hall, pastor of Liverpool First United Methodist Church, in Liverpool, New York, says, "Theologically, there's a wonderful connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament in the parallel between Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac and God's sacrifice of his own son, Jesus." In both accounts, the father is willing to offer -- Abraham to God and God to the world -- that which is most precious to each.
Current Practice
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As the days of animal sacrifice are in the past, offerings to God are now bloodless and largely symbolic. Among Christians, Jesus is yet regarded as the Lamb of God, a direct reference to ancient animal sacrifice, and believers still observe Lent as a time of personal sacrifice, particularly by practicing Roman Catholics. Among Jews, animal sacrifice has been replaced by prayer, repentance, study and good deeds.
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