After the flood,
[We human beings were] in search of God. [Each human being] … retains the desire for the one who calls him into existence. # 2566
We human beings were trying to figure out God without His revelation.
We didn’t do too well.
Not having revelation yet, ancient peoples made up lots of different gods.
2 Kin 17:29 see also 2 Kin 20:23
[We human beings gave] expression to [our] quest for God in … sacrifices, … #28
It is right to offer sacrifice to God … #2099
But, understand the reality of us humans offering sacrifices to God.
When they were little, my sons brought their mother dandelion flowers they had picked in the back yard. She treasured those dandelions from her little boys. If I brought dandelions to my wife it would not go over so well.
Outward sacrifice, to be genuine, must be the expression of spiritual sacrifice: “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit. . . .” # 2100
Understand, our pride needs to be broken, not our will.
God is primarily interested in us having hearts like Noah, upright and undivided.
The prayer of faith consists not only in saying “Lord, Lord,” but in disposing the heart to do the will of [God]. # 2611 see also # 2572
But we humans are not much interested in disposing our hearts to do the will of God. In our human view, especially the way that ancient peoples viewed all the false gods that they had made up, we humans figure – give the gods sacrifices and they will be happy.
And, we humans figure, the more precious something is to us, the happier the gods will be with our sacrifice and the more the gods will leave us alone.
Well, what is the MOST precious thing in our lives? Our children!
So, we human beings created baptism by fire, immolating, killing and burning, new born babies, mostly first born males.
Lev 18:21 1 Macc 57 2 Kin 17:16-17 2 Kin 17:31
People thought their false gods wanted human sacrifice.
The real, living God hates human sacrifice.
Gen 6:6 Deu 12:31