Wait, the Bible Says What?!
Flushing Out the Myths: Does the Bible Condone Human Sacrifice?
The Elephant in the Room (or the 🐪 Camel in the Desert)
Let's be real – there are some pretty intense stories in the Bible that might make you spill your morning coffee. ☕ Abraham being told to sacrifice Isaac? Check. ✅ Seven of Saul's descendants handed over to the Gibeonites? Yep. 😬 Jesus dying on the cross? ✝️ That too. It might look like God's sending some mixed messages, like, "Wait, didn’t He say murder was a no-go in the Ten Commandments? What’s with the sacrifices?"
But here’s the truth: God’s plan has never been about human sacrifice and there's more to these stories than meets the eye.
Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) 🐏
Picture this: You’re Abraham. After waiting what feels like forever, ⏳ you finally have the son God promised you. Life is good—until God drops the ultimate plot twist: 🎭
👉 “Take your son to the mountain and sacrifice him.”
Wait… what?! This is not what you signed up for. 😨
But here’s the thing—Genesis 22 isn’t about God endorsing human sacrifice; it’s about testing Abraham’s faith and obedience. Think of it like a math test. ✏️ The teacher doesn’t want kids to fail—The teacher isn’t rooting for them to fail but wants to see what they’ve learned. God already knew Abraham’s heart (because, duh, He’s God 😇), but this test was a way to grow and demonstrate Abraham’s trust in Him. And in the end, God provided a ram to take Isaac’s place—a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus taking our place on the cross. ✝️
So no, God wasn’t condoning human sacrifice. He was revealing a bigger picture: faith, obedience, and ultimately, redemption.❤️
What’s Up with the Gibeonites? (2 Samuel 21) ⚖️
Now we jump to 2 Samuel 21, where things get a little murky. 🤨 King Saul had made a covenant with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9), but ended up breaking the covenant. ❌ And in ancient times, covenants were a big deal—like, "poop hits the fan if you break one" 💩 kind of big.
So, as a consequence, of Saul’s actions, God brought a famine to Israel during the reign of King David. When King David reached out and asked the Gibeonites how to make things right, they demanded the execution of seven descendants of Saul .😳 This narrative can be harder to digest than a three-day-old sandwich 🥪 as it appears to involve human sacrifice for the sake of justice.
But hold on!🚦This story isn’t about God approving human sacrifice—it’s a reflection of poor leadership, broken promises, and the tribal justice system of ancient times. It doesn’t mean that God is on board with such actions — it was people attempting a quick fix at justice, like trying to unclog a drain with a fork.
👉 Just because it happened doesn’t mean it was God’s perfect plan. Instead, it shows the messy consequences of sin and how, when humans try to fix problems their way, it often leads to more brokenness rather than to God’s ultimate plan of restoration.
Jesus: The Ultimate Sacrifice (But Not What You Think) ✝️
Now, let’s talk about the cross. Unlike the other stories, Jesus’ sacrifice was 100% God’s plan—but not in a human-sacrifice kind of way. Jesus willingly laid down His life (John 10:18) to save us. Key word: willingly.
Unlike the sacrifices in the Old Testament, Jesus’ death on the cross was entirely different. He wasn’t forced; He gave Himself for our sins as the ultimate act of love. ❤️ It was a divine plan to end the old sacrificial system and replace it with grace.
Here’s the thing: Human sacrifice in pagan religions was all about trying to appease angry gods. But our God is different. He doesn’t demand blood to love us—He gives His blood because He loves us. Jesus’ death wasn’t about cruelty or wrath; it was about grace. Jesus said, “I’ll take the fall,” so we could be saved—not sacrificed. The cross seemed like a dark and tragic moment at first, but it became the greatest redemption story ever told. It is the ultimate act of love, with no strings (or chains) attached! 🙌
What God’s Actually Looking For: Sacrifice vs. Service 💛
So what does God really want? Spoiler: Not ritualistic sacrifices! ❌🐑 He’s after something deeper—our trust, love, and faith. He’s in the business of redemption and restoration, and He calls us to live that out every day:
Hearts that trust Him (even when life makes zero sense 🤯)
Lives that reflect His love (helping others, not hurting them 🤝)
Faith that keeps going (even when the road feels like a pothole-ridden detour 🛑➡️)
The stories of Abraham, the Gibeonites, and Jesus all point to this truth: God provides a way out. Whether it’s a ram in the thicket, forgiveness after broken promises, or eternal life through Jesus, His heart is always for us. ❤️
Struggling with a Tough Bible Passage? 🤔📖
You’re not alone! Some stories in the Bible can be confusing, but understanding the historical context, God’s character, and the bigger picture can make all the difference. To help, I’ve put together “Poop and Pray’s No Panic Bible Study Guide to Baffling Bible Verses.” It’s packed with questions, tips, and insights to help you dig deeper.
Poop and Pray Challenge of the Week 💩🙏
Got a mess in your life that feels confusing or overwhelming? Take a moment to sit with God in prayer. Ask Him to show you His perspective, just like He did with Abraham, David, and the disciples. And don’t forget to thank Him for always providing a way—even when you can’t see it yet!
🔥 Bonus challenge: If you’re feeling extra bold, trade a complaint for an act of kindness this week. (Yes, even for that neighbor with the super loud music. 🎶🙉)
Final Thoughts 💡
God isn’t looking for pointless rituals—He’s after real relationships. He calls us to trust Him, love others, and walk by faith. So, next time you hit a confusing Bible passage, don’t panic—dig deeper! 🕵️♂️📖
Because God’s plans? They’re always bigger and better than we can imagine. 🌟✨
💬 What’s a Bible passage that’s made you go, “Wait… WHAT?!” 🤯 Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
