The Second Age
If we consider carefully the way Adam and Eve were introduced by Father to the "sacrifice and repentance" necessary to obtain forgiveness for sin, we may end up with a better understanding of "animal sacrifice". It is true that Father in Gen 3:15, prophesied the coming of the Yashua Messiah who became the ultimate sacrifice some 4000 years later than that time, and also some 2000 years in the past as we stand here today. (there is also a deeper study on this set of "4 and 2 days"). However in Gen 3:21, we can see the first vicarious "animal sacrifice" that was offered for Adam and Eve by Father Himself.
I really did not see the true meaning and the significance Father obviously placed on animal sacrifice until I began some in-depth thinking on the subject. Before we consider what this could possibly have meant to Adam and Eve, let me explain.
In chapter 2 of Genesis, Father created some special animals to help Adam. To me it was significant that this was an attempt to "make a helpmeet" for Adam (Gen 2:18 and 20). We understand that all life comes from Father for Yashua himself said Father knows even when a sparrow falls (Matt 10:29, Luke 12:6). How does He know? Could the "life" return to the Father who gave it? Consider a moment.
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (KJV)
This same word "soul" as applied to Adam appears significantly in chapter 1. In particular it is in verses 20, 21, 24 (creature). Verse 30 (life), Chapter 2:7(soul), above and in 2:19 (creature), where Father made the "helpmeet" animals for Adam.
Strongs # 5315 nephesh (neh'-fesh); from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental): KJV-- any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead (-ly), desire, X [dis-] contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart (-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thyself-), them (your)- selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) will, X would have it. (DIC)
Anyone who has owned and become attached to an animal, and have felt their love and devotion to their masters and have witnessed their nature, how it is unchanging, knows the meaning of what I am trying to say. Animals are not like humans in the sense that they can become unfaithful to a master who properly cares for them. They will willingly serve and protect their family without regard for their own lives. Their nature is CONSTANT, and just perhaps it is so because Father has given them to us as an example. We know that Father was pleased with them as with all His creation, for it is written. We also can see in Isaiah and in Ezekiel, that there will be "animals" in the millennium and probably in the Eternity, for Father changes not.
No, it is not a free will soul that is within an animal, but the Word says "it" came from Father. It also says Father "knows" when one falls in death. Perhaps their "soul" is a portion of the "light" of Love that surrounds His throne. Another of His gifts for our comfort.
If this is the case, or close to it, then the significance Father originally placed on the "animal sacrifice" was much more sincere and dear to Father than I had previously thought.
That said, let us return to the first animal sacrifice. In Gen 3:21, we have "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
Now it doesn't really take much thinking to know those animals had to shed both their blood and their lives to donate those skins. So here we have it. Father is using a part of His LOVE to forgive Man. The impact on Adam and Eve, however was probably much greater than we can imagine. You see, up until that time they had never witnessed the death of anything. Now here is (more than probably) some of their little buddies giving their lives and blood because of Adam and Eves transgressions. They would never see these again. They were gone. Apparently it made a big enough impression on them to tell their sons, because Abel did it just right. Cain though did not care. His sacrifice was not acceptable.
There is also a deeper message and study here. Is the doctrine of "original sin" really to be based upon what Adam and Eve did, or upon the transgressions, which took place in the first age? When Paul says in Rom 5:12, "by one man" sin entered the world, is he talking of Adam or of Slewfoot? If he is talking of Adam, then what of Ezek 18:20?
Part 3 will continue with the Second age
In Yashua Bob Sellers, 1997
