Does the blood of animal sacrifices take away sin?

See also: Leviticus 4:26, Leviticus 4:31, Leviticus 4:35, Leviticus 5:10, Leviticus 5:16, Leviticus 5:18, Leviticus 6:7, Numbers 15:27-28, Numbers 29:5

Response

Hebrews says that the blood of animals cannot “take away sins,” whereas Leviticus says that this animal blood resulted in “forgiveness” and “atonement.”  This forgiveness and atonement was temporary, not permanent, since it did not actually take away sins, and it was a picture of what Christ’s blood would ultimately do, since His blood can take away sins.

The animal sacrifices were symbolic, and God called them sinful when done in the wrong spirit (Isaiah 1:11-16).  Animal blood could never correct the problems of the heart.  Only Jesus’ blood can do that.