רבי יוסי points out (ספרא, א:ט”ו) that we never see the name אלקים in reference to offerings – only the שם הויה. See the post Names of God that explains that the name אלקים refers to God as the Creature and Ruler of nature whereas the שם הויה refers to God as the God of history. The שם הויה shows God as man’s educator, involving Himself in the flow of history, operating behind the scenes within the laws of nature and even changing the laws of nature at times, to educate man. רבי יוסי says this is a refutation to the akpikursim who would otherwise confuse the offerings with idolatrous sacrifices offered to the blind forces of nature.
Hirsch adds that it also refutes those who say that the offerings in the Torah are just acts of killing and destruction, intended to appease a bloodthirsty and vengeful deity. They say now we are enlightened and are happy we no longer have sacrifices. To refute them them, the שם הויה is used which is the name that shows God’s love and concern for man.
Beraishis 8:2
pages 208-209
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