The Bible teaches that all sin needs a blood sacrifice to atone for it. In the Old Testament the Israelites were required to transfer their sin to a scapegoat. Leviticus 4 verses 22- 26: If one of Israel’s leaders sins by violating one of the commands of the Lord his God but doesn’t realise it he is still guilty. When he becomes aware of his sin he must bring as his offering a male goat with no defects. He must lay his hand on the goats head and slaughter it at the place where the burnt offerings are slaughtered before the Lord. This is an offering for his sin. Then the priest will dip his finger in the blood of the sin offering and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. He will pour the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. Then he must burn all the goat’s fat on the altar, just as he does with the peace offering. Through this process, the priest will purify the leader from his sin, making him right with the Lord, and he will be forgiven.’ In Exodus 29 verses 35-46 Aaron and the priest made sacrifices to atone for the sin of the people of Israel. This passage details the procedure for offering the sacrifice of a young bull and two one year old unblemished lambs each day to atone for the sin of the people. The careful conduct of these sacrifices ensured that the presence of the Lord would fill the Tabernacle and the children of Israel would know that God was with them through their journeys. God confirmed his acceptance of the sacrifice with His presence among the people as they worshipped Him. Aaron and Abraham are recognised Prophets of Islâm and their message of sacrifice for the atonement of sin is an important part of their prophetic message to the people of Israel.
Moses used the concept of blood sacrifice to atone for sin in the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. The blood of the sacrificed lamb was painted on the doorposts and lintel of every Israelite house to ensure that the angel of death passed over their houses and they did not suffer the death of their first born son as did the Egyptians. Refer to Exodus 12 verses 1-17. This became the basis of the practice of passover still an integral part of Judaism today. Christians remember the concept of passover in the Lord’s Supper which the Lord instituted as a Christian sacrament to remember Him until He returns to earth. When Jesus came as the sacrificial Lamb of God and atonement for sin the people of Israel could identify clearly with this message that they had observed from their ancient prophets for fifteen hundred years.
The Qur’an teaches that Abraham, Moses and Aaron are prophets of Islâm and Muslims should study their message from God. Surah 14, Ibrahim, mentions Moses Aaron and Abraham as prophets of Allâh. So does Surah 21 Al Anbiya (The Prophets). In this surah, ayat 48-56 it records that Moses, Aaron and Abraham were given a message for the people to bring them to do right. The teaching of these prophets is to help us do what is right, and that is to repent from our sin. This is the right path to righteousness.