I loved listening to Boice weekly and was saddened by his death some 14 years ago.
In response to the thoughts of comparing human behavior with animal behavior, perhaps we should consider how God used such examples.
The purpose of the living sacrifices of a bull or sheep, or fatted calf, wasn’t some pagan ritual, but rather to manifest to those performing the sacrifice how the animal violently sought to retain their life. The value of life itself was paramount. It taught a lesson about how violently volition responded to perfect justice as demanded by perfect righteousness. It pointed to the Cross and the how great a gift was the sacrificial atonement provided by Christ.
Interesting point and a very good perspective. I once read where at one time there were so many sacrifices performed that the rivers of Jerusalem ran red and the stench was almost unbearable. We tend to not think about these things.