The Importance of Propitatory Sacrifices

In contrast to pagan sacrifices and pagan religions, Israel is not dealing with some sort of capricious deity who needs to be buttered up. Rather, I think as Cindy says, people in a state of fallenness or sin fall under the wrath of a holy and just God. And therefore, these sacrifices are a demonstration of God's love. They are God's loving provision for fallen people to be cleansed and restored into right fellowship with God.