We learned yesterday that God is very demanding (and rightly so) about the location for sacrifice. In the days after the Tabernacle was built, dedicated and placed in use. Sacrifice must be made “at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation,” on the brass altar erected there.
We today shall learn that God is every bit as particular (still, rightly so) about the proper handling of blood!
BLOOD is significant to Almighty God!
Even to this point, God speaking: “And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, THAT EATETH ANY MANNER OF BLOOD; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.” Leviticus 17:10, a more specific statement of a “prohibition” already taught Israel, though in briefer form. “It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye EAT NEITHER FAT NOR BLOOD.” Way back in Leviticus 3:17.
That is … do NOT do as King Saul’s soldiers once did, in blatant disobedience! “And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people DID EAT them WITH THE BLOOD.” 1 Samuel 14:32
God is that “jealous” over blood! And for the third time I must say it, “Rightly so!”
Why?
The very next verse of Leviticus 17 tells us, verse 11. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
Blood, and blood only, makes a man right with God, covers or purges or forgives his sin! In this special sense blood is “holy” (“set apart, consecrated”) unto the Lord.
But what if a man is out in the field hunting for game, for tonight’s supper? “And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.” Leviticus 17:12
God is specific here!
Here’s the principle behind all this blood legislation. “For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.” Leviticus 17:14
“THE LIFE OF THE FLESH IS IN THE BLOOD.” Again quoting verse 11 above. Thus blood is unique. Therefore every man’s (or woman’s or child’s) blood, and (even) every little creature’s blood … is special, protected by God’s Fiat here!
Now this thought (the “point” of today’s Lesson) … blood being the agency for atonement … if Adam’s blood (and Eve’s) and every human’s blood since then … was “special, protected” by the Lord … how did He (God the Father) feel about His Own Son’s Blood?
About Jesus’ Blood?
That incorruptible Blood?
That innocent Blood?
That testifying Blood?
That purchasing Blood?
That propitiating Blood?
That justifying Blood?
That redeeming Blood?
That peace-giving Blood?
That sanctifying Blood?
That precious Blood?
That cleansing Blood?
That overcoming Blood?
That Blood, my friends, is of inestimable Value!
Have YOU been washed in that Blood? Trusted that Blood and the One Who shed it on Calvary for soul salvation?
Remember this … “and without shedding of blood is no remission of sin.” Hebrews 9:22
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Even Israel’s hunters were to be men of faith!
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