Coming to terms with how much we don’t understand about these matters can feel overwhelming, but this does not mean we should stop seeking answers. These are important questions that deserve thoughtful consideration. Understanding the answers helps us see more of God’s character. Instead of perceiving Him as a God who does evil, it reveals His love and mercy.

In this discussion, I will address each question one by one, laying the foundation with the first, as it is the most detailed. I ask that you stay with me, as this foundation is crucial for understanding the rest.

The first question, about the requirement of blood sacrifice, is likely one of the most common and misunderstood. To a modern perspective, the idea of taking a life as an act of sacrifice seems barbaric, which is one reason many view God as cruel. Without understanding the context and all the facts, this conclusion might seem reasonable. Many aspects of the Old Testament are easy to misinterpret, especially when we lack proper context or foundational knowledge about why God acts as He does. Blood sacrifice, in particular, ties into His judgment, which in turn relates to His law.

To understand God’s judgment, we must first understand His law. In Deuteronomy 6:24, it is stated that Yahuwah gave His law "for our good always and to preserve our very lives." Unfortunately, many Christian denominations today struggle to define sin, or worse, create their own lists of sins. However, the disciple John makes it clear in 1 John 3:4, where he writes:

"Whoever commits sin transgresses also the Torah (Law), for sin is the transgression of the Torah."
 
Here, John leaves no ambiguity—sin is the act of breaking God’s law. When we sin, we are not merely breaking a set of man-made rules; we are rebelling against the authority of the One who created us and knows what is best for us. God’s law exists not to restrict us but to preserve us. It is a profound demonstration of His love. When we go against His law, we bring judgment upon ourselves.

We are told not to conform to this world, a directive we follow by adhering to God’s law. Many try to rationalize their disobedience by saying, "We’re only human, and everyone makes mistakes." Others falsely claim that no one can keep the law, citing a misunderstanding of the apostle Paul’s teachings that supposedly describe the law as "bondage."

Now, to clarify, I am not saying Paul’s writings are flawed. Rather, the doctrines that are based on misinterpretations of what he was teaching are incorrect. To accept the false notion that the law is bondage, one must ignore many other scriptures. For example, 1 John 5:3 states:

"For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."

Interestingly, John here is quoting directly from Deuteronomy 30:11, which says:

"For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off."

The simplicity of God’s law is further clarified in 1 John 2, where John reaffirms the importance of obedience. As we proceed, it will become evident how these foundational principles lead to a greater understanding of the character of God and His purpose in requiring blood sacrifice, as well as answering the other significant questions.