Abraham And Isaac

In his old age, God gave Abraham a son named Issac in return for his obedience, even though it was out of fear. To test the strength of his love for him, God told Abraham he had to go on a journey with his son to Mount Moriah and build an alter that Issac was going to be sacrificed on. Abraham, scared to refuse this command, did it all, but as had Issac tied down and was about to kill him, God told him to stop. God made a ram appear that was stuck by its horns that was meant to be sacrificed.So the kid survived, Abraham proved his fear of God, and everyone lived happily ever after. 

I never understood why some cultures sacrificed people and other animals to their Gods. How does killing an innocent creature show love to them, when the action is the exact opposite? Maybe in some cases it could symbolize something that they believe in.In this case Abraham would symbolize God while Issac symbolizes Jesus being sacrificed for the sins of the world. But in God's case, he sacrificed his son for the good of  humanity, while in Abraham's case it wouldn't be for the benefit of anyone.