worship of Moloch—and this in despite of, and in disobedience of, the express commands of Jehovah.[1] It was, doubtless, also, owing to the same tendency existing in the mind of Abraham, that he was tempted to offer up his son Isaac.[2] It is stated, indeed, that "God tempted Abraham;" but this is spoken only according to the appearance, for it is declared by the Apostle, that "God tempts no man, but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed."[3] It was no doubt permitted as a trial of Abraham's faith; but the trial, in all probability, would not have been made in that form, had not such a tendency existed in Abraham's mind. Moreover, his being commanded to stay his hand and not slay Isaac, would be an intimation both to him and to his posterity, the Jewish people, that the Divine Being did not desire such sacrifices; and thus the result of the temptation, would be rather to free them from the error, than to confirm them in it.
Such being the condition of the Israelitish mind, we may see that it would have been impossible to institute any Church or form of worship amongst that people, of which sacrifices of some kind did not form a part. It would have been in opposition to the whole idea of the age. But to prevent their indulging in the cruel practice of human sacrifices, it was allowed them to offer in sacrifice inferior animals. And this permission being necessary, the various minute directions given in regard to the mode of sacrifice, and the kinds of animals to be sacrificed, was, doubtless, both for the purpose of drawing their attention wholly away from
