It’s one thing asking: what about people’s salvation before Christ? The answer is straight forward – that the animal sacrifices along with confession of sin was first – believing God to deal with one’s sin – but also both a practical fine (giving up what was then ones livelihood) and down-payment and promise to pay for the sin – that would later not be charged to us – but be charged to Jesus. As well as an awful thing to have to do (from both the animal’s and the sinner’s stand point) – and a severe reminder every time you sin of the consequences of sin (death). Imagine – how could you kill one of your own flock for your sin and not be deeply affected and sorrowful for the innocent animal?! It really was a serious thing to have to do and thank goodness since Jesus being the ultimate sacrifice for sin we are no longer required to do it.
First – why did God require sacrificing of animals for sin in the first place?
Sacrificing an animal was not to be taken lightly and no small thing for the poor animal or the sinner. I believe the reason God chose this method was because it acted as both a meaningful ‘fine’ for the sin – giving up what in those days was ones precious livelihood – your most perfect animals – but most importantly though symbolically – to demonstrate the terrible seriousness of sin and the fact that it leads to death. And then as already mentioned – the fact that the innocent animal takes the punishment you deserve must have been a severe rebuke to one’s conscience.
It must have been awful to have to do this every time you transgressed for the sinner and animal. Some have suggested that God is bad for requiring this and one might have grounds for this accusation – if it is not remembered that GOD HIMSELF later allowed his own body (Jesus) to be sacrificed to end once and for all the consequences of men’s sin (death) and this awful sacrificial process which it was. Of course He knew free men would sin and He would have to do this at the beginning of time – before He instituted animal sacrifice temporarily to point to the only cure – His own blood. So gruesome as it is there is no hypocrisy, and it really was a case of – do as I do – and not just – do as I say.
So then what about salvation of those outside the Mosaic law – before and around this time?
So we know how Christians and Israelites were saved – but what about salvation of those outside the Mosaic law – before and around this time? This question has to also be looked at and a very serious one. What if a non-believer poses this very good question to a Christian – do we have a good answer? Perhaps you already know the answers, and though I had a rough idea (that it involves the law of God written on all men’s hearts from the beginning of time – as demonstrated when Adam and Eve felt shame in the Garden of Eden) I was not that clear on where and when this is described in the Bible.
Here’s a better and fuller explanation…
So here I found a well thought out and written article on this subject. I hope you get as much from reading it as much as I did: https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1475-did-the-ancient-gentiles-have-the-hope-of-salvation
