The burnt offering was a sacrifice that emphasized devotion to God. The entire animal would be burnt on the altar with the fire and smoke rising to heaven being a pleasing aroma in the sight of the Lord (see Leviticus 1:1–17). The use of a blameless animal symbolized a life of complete devotion and this is what was pleasing in God’s sight.1 Though the intentions of the Israelites were honourable, they used two female cows where the law required male cows (Leviticus 1:3, Leviticus 1:5; Leviticus 22:18–19).2
14 Le char arriva dans le champ de Josué de Beth-Schémesch, et s'y arrêta. Il y avait là une grande pierre. On fendit le bois du char, et l'on offrit les vaches en holocauste à l'Eternel.