NOTES for Lev 1:1-17
What is sacrifice? Why was it widespread everywhere in antiquity, and why does it survive in some places even now? For some, sacrifice is first of all an offering, a gift to God or to higher powers. In this sense there was no special difference between Yahwists and pagans: in both places there were people convinced that a sacrifice to God or to the gods was something like payment or tribute. In exchange, they expected from Him (or from them) something that only He (or they) could give. A good harvest, for example. Many children. Success in trade. Victory in war. In short, all kinds of good things, and more of them, and good fortune always accompanying those who spare nothing for God (or for the gods).
Is this bad? Yes and no. No, because by and large a person has no one besides God to whom he can turn with questions and problems. Only He can radically solve any problem. Yes, because it is impossible to solve any fundamental human problem without first including the person in a relationship with God. All problems are solved only within this relationship, in its process. Meanwhile tribute or payment is exactly what does not presuppose relationship.
Or it presupposes it at a minimum, as purely business relationships, relationship-functions, usually do. That is why the Bible condemns such formal sacrifices according to the principle "the more, the better"; it condemns them through the mouths of prophets, hymnographers, and sages. True sacrifice, however, always presupposes above all precisely a person's relationship with God. It is not tribute, not payment, not ritual. True sacrifice is a form and means of communion with God. A meeting with God. A shared meal with Him. After all, the altar, the place of sacrifice, was originally conceived as a table at which a person sits together with God.
God does not refuse a person this; on the contrary, He calls a person to the table with Himself. But the person must set the table. Not because God cannot do it, but because God gave the earth into human care. The world is God's house, but the earth is first of all the human house. That means it is for the person to receive God in this house, to offer Him a table. To prepare everything best for the Guest, without blemish. But most of all, to rejoice in Him. To rejoice in communion and relationship with Him, the most precious thing a person has.