Leviticus, chapter 17

Praise the LORD family!

Leviticus 17:10-12 (NKJV)

10. "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.

11. 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for the soul.

12. "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."

Amen, thank you LORD.

This post is about the prohibition that relates to eating blood of animal sacrifices. This law was not only for the children of Israel but for all who dwelt with them. As we can see above, the consequences for not following this requirement was expulsion from the congregation from God's people. In chapter 16, we see the atonement for sin and the affliction of the soul by the children of Israel. In this chapter, the LORD God makes it clear through Moses that the blood of the animal was the one that made atonement on behalf of the people.

When God gave the law and commandments through Moses, we are reminded that the law is good for Jesus was sent by God to fulfill the law. Hebrews 9:22 (ESV) reminds us, 'Indeed under the law almost everything is purified with blood and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins." So just like the priests had to make atonement for the sins of the people and their sins as well is the same way Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit willingly offered Himself to die for the sins of the world once and for all. The blood of Jesus is the very foundation of every believer's life who has received the free gift of God's salvation.

As the foundation of the new covenant, in the blood of Jesus is forgiveness of sins which includes making atonement for the soul as seen above (Leviticus 17:11); the blood of Jesus has made peace between us and God (Colossians 1:20), redeems and delivers all of God's children from every power of darkness into the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). The blood of Jesus Christ also speaks on behalf of your life according to God's purpose and plans concerning your life. That is, the blood of Jesus speaks greater things on our behalf than the blood of Abel that speaks vengeance (Hebrews 12:24). The enemy is known as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) who speaks lies but thanks be to God that the blood of Jesus speaks life over you, it speaks truth, redemption, power, wisdom, freedom and the goodness of God concerning your life thereby nullifying every scheme, lie and accusation of the enemy over your life.

The blood of Jesus also enables you to do the works of God according to His plans and purposes for the glory of God. Hebrews 9:12-13 (NKJV) says, "For if the blood of bulls and goats and ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" - Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: The best gift that Jesus gave us is receiving salvation and eternal life which is a personal relationship knowing God as our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

If you would like to receive this free gift of God's salvation, please say this prayer with me:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that God sent His One and only Son who died for my sins and was raised from the dead so that I could have eternal life and by His stripes I was healed." - AMEN. 

If you just said this prayer, GLORY TO GOD, you are now a new creation in Christ Jesus! In case you have not already, please prayerfully consider becoming a member of a church and get WATER BAPTIZED!

WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THIS CHAPTER IN YOUR BIBLE!