~ The
Sanctity of Blood (Leviticus 7of8) ~
Introduction
~ “Abundant Life Now” previously provided
a list of Biblical of examples of fearing / reverencing God (217 posts). In this current series we look at Biblical
accounts that demonstrate that we can fully trust God. Initially we posted seven general reasons for
trusting God. We are currently looking
at passages from all 66 books of Scripture which demonstrate a reason for
trusting our Creator.
Note ~ In
chapters 1—5 of the Book of Leviticus God establishes a detailed set of
sacrifices that enabled His people to worship Him. Following that He gave additional laws and
rules for His people to follow. God’s
directions to His people throughout the centuries have always been for the good
of His people. He is in complete control
and He cares for us, therefore we can trust Him!
Chapters 6-16
of Leviticus contain many more laws and rules for the Israelites. Much of this section of Scripture focuses on
Laws regarding the consecration of priests and general laws of purity. This section ends with information regarding
atonement
Chapter 17 of
Leviticus is about the sanctity of blood.
Comment
~ The importance of blood is a
reoccurring theme in the Book of Leviticus.
In Chapter 17 the sanctity of Blood is the subject. Note for those wishing to look deeper at the
blood of Christ consider the eBook entitled: “CHRIST’S
BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits”
(https://books2read.com/ChristsBlood)
by Robert Lloyd Russell.
Scripture
~ “And the Lord spoke to Moses,
saying, ‘Speak to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and
say to them, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying: ‘Whatever
man of the house of Israel who kills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who
kills it outside the camp, and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle
of meeting to offer an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord,
the guilt of bloodshed shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut
off from among his people, to the end that the children of Israel may bring
their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, that they may bring them
to the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer
them as peace offerings to the Lord. And
the priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the Lord at the door of the
tabernacle of meeting, and burn the fat for a sweet aroma to the Lord. They shall no more offer their sacrifices to
demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them
throughout their generations.”’
“Also you
shall say to them: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers
who dwell among you, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, and does not
bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer it to the Lord,
that man shall be cut off from among his people.
‘And whatever
man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats
any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut
him off from among his people. For
the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the
altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes
atonement for the soul.’ Therefore I
said to the children of Israel, ‘No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall
any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.’
“Whatever man
of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts
and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood
and cover it with dust; for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You
shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’
“And every
person who eats what died naturally or what was torn by beasts, whether he is a
native of your own country or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes and
bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. Then he shall be clean. But if he does not wash them or bathe his
body, then he shall bear his guilt” (Leviticus 17:1-16).
Additional
Scripture ~ “And
according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without
shedding of blood there is no remission [of sin]” (Hebrews 9:22).
“When they
came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His
legs. But one of the soldiers pierced
His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” (John
19:33-34).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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