LESSON XXVIII. Sacrifices, Evidence of offered Salvation

Questions to Lesson 28^{*Of what period of time have we but very little history? What part of the world’s age is that? How many chapters reach to the days of Abraham? In this brief account, what are not clearly revealed? What requirements are not recorded here? Who believes that, for 2000 years, men were condemned without a law, and had no hope of pardon? Men’s having a knowledge of sin, is evidence of what? That good men kept God’s commandments, is proof of what? What does the offering of sacrifices show? What else? The typical character of their offerings is evidence of what? What is proved by his accepting them? What else?}

The Bible gives us but very little of the history of the world for the first two thousand years which is about one third of the whole time since man was created. A few pages contain all that we have, from the creation to the flood, and eleven chapters bring us down to the days of Abraham, which is more than 2000 years from the creation.BIC 65.2

In the short account which is given of that long period of twenty hundred years, neither the commandments of God, nor the faith of a coming Saviour, are clearly revealed. No code of laws is recorded, and no forgiveness of sin promised. No set of rules is given by which men are required to live; and no requirement to believe, to offer sacrifices, or to do anything in order to be forgiven and restored to the favor of God.BIC 65.3

But who believes, because the law of God is not recorded here, that God had given them no law by which to live? or, because the promise of a Saviour is not recorded, that he had given them no promise? Who believes that, for 2000 years, men were sinners without a law, and without hope of pardon and salvation? No one in his sober senses. But there is such a thing as being drunken with the wine of Babylon; (Revelation 14:8;) and a person thus intoxicated can believe what he desires to believe, or at least, say that he does.BIC 66.1

That men had a knowledge of sin, is evidence that they had a knowledge of the law. The fact that good men, like Abraham, kept God’s commandments, is evidence that he had given them commandments to keep.BIC 66.2

On the other hand, the fact that men offered sacrifices, proves that they had a knowledge of sin, and also a hope of pardon. That those offerings were typical of Christ, the great sacrifice for sin, is evidence that God had promised them a Saviour; and the fact that he accepted their offerings proves that he had commanded them to offer them, and also, that they offered them by faith in his promise: for without faith it is impossible to please him.BIC 66.3

Abel’s offering was accepted; and when, after the flood, Noah built an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt-offerings on it, the Lord smelled a sweet savor, and said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake. Genesis 8:20.BIC 67.1