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2013-05-24
I never thought I’d see the day, but I always dreamed about it. Yes, Leviticus 22:17-27 combines the bible’s two favorite topics: killin’ animals and mangled penises!
Since the thousand or so previous commandments forbidding the sacrifice of blemished animals wasn’t enough, God, yet again, reminds us that animal sacrifices must be made with pristine animals. However, this time he goes into detail of all the possible blemishes that make your ram useless for sacrifice. These blemishes include being blind, injured, maimed, having growths, disease, wounds, extra limbs, missing limbs, or testicles that are bruised, crushed, torn, cut, or in any other way, imperfect. Pretty much the same as what prevents a priest from offering sacrifices (but then, they are both sheep). Note that the testicle bit is probably reference to castration, and the KJV translators don’t doesn’t mention testicles, but the NIV translators do.
It is written that blemished animals may still be sacrificed as a freewill offering, but they won’t fulfill the vow, so they’re essentially just throw-away sacrifices. And you’re also not allowed to accept animals for sacrifice from other people unless the animal is blemish free.
The reasoning behind this is quite obvious. When God enjoys the sweet savor of burning carcasses, he only wants the best chopped up dead animals, and he especially loves the smell of burning pristine scrotums. You’d actually expect this (well maybe not the scrotum bit) because if you put yourself in the shoes of someone who has reverence for their god, only the best would be good enough for him. And since this sacrifice is to prevent him from smiting your pathetic existence, it’s probably best if your sacrifice is a real one, not some lame animal you’d have a hard time even giving away.
Of course, regardless of whether these people believe it or not, it’s still a disgusting display of ignorance, but that’s religion for you.
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