One of the increasingly challenging notions for some to accept in the Bible is "blood sacrifice". And no wonder, it seems to be an ancient ritual!
But this idea is actually deep authentication for the veracity of the scriptures.
So, why blood sacrifice?
Is it simply to point to Jesus?
Certainly, the sacrifice of animals and sprinkling of blood DOES point to Jesus' sacrifice. But that doesn't answer "WHY".
The "why" question is actually quite deep, and demonstrates the authenticity of the God Jehovah revealed in the scriptures.
A) Jehovah CANNOT show partiality to any of his creation. If he were to be partial, his moral authority would be called into question.
Therefore, as Jehovah establishes objective moral and ethical duties, justice must be universally applied to all of sentient creation.
Adam and Eve sinned, Satan sinned, and therefore the just action/reaction of those choices MUST be applied precisely and without partiality.
B) Sin leads to death - and no, I don't mean "if you sin you will die". Rather, sin CAUSES death.
The far reaching outcome of a sinful course is spiritual and physical death of the sinner, and those around the sinner.
The abused becomes the abuser. The adulterer spiritually kills children, who in turn become corrupted. The thief kills those they stole from, perhaps directly, and perhaps by causation.
C) Blood represents life, the "life force" of the creation.
In the case of animal sacrifice and the sprinkling of blood, it serves as the physical manifestation of spiritual things - the SIN CAUSED the death of the animal.
The animal bore the brunt of the sin, instead of the sinner. (this shows how much Jehovah loves mankind)
And of course, Jesus as the prime sacrifice bore the brunt of our wayward course; he became the animal sacrifice and by his spilled blood takes the action/reaction justice from God that WE deserved.
Do you think it was a small matter that Jehovah asked his precious firstborn to become sin for us?
D) Jehovah wants all of his creation to live and live abundantly. He doesn't WANT to punish us, but he must, or he gives up his position as sovereign of the universe.
In the same way a particle necessarily reacts to the forces of the universe, so must sin be reacted against.
Therefore, animal sacrifice and the sprinkling of blood is the physical manifestation of a VERY complex series of principles, which ONLY make sense IF Jehovah is the true God.
Of course, many ancient civilizations practiced sacrifice... but we shouldn't conflate that fact and conclude that this was merely a ubiquitous ancient ritual.
Instead, those ancient civilizations inherited by word of mouth the ideas which began with Adam and Eve, and continued through Shem, Noah and Abraham.
Only the Hebrews had an inkling of these truths. The rest were just copy-cats devoid of understanding; thinking by sacrifice they had the favor of the gods.
"Yes, according to the Law nearly all things are cleansed with blood, and unless blood is poured out no forgiveness takes place."
"Therefore, it was necessary for the typical representations of the things in the heavens to be cleansed by these means, but the heavenly things require far better sacrifices. "
"so also the Christ was offered once for all time to bear the sins of many"