What is the meaning of Leviticus 19:26? You must not eat anything with blood still in it • God first set this boundary right after the flood—“But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it” (Genesis 9:4). From Noah onward, the Lord linked blood with life itself. • Under the Law, He sharpened the point: “If anyone…eats any blood, I will set My face against that person” (Leviticus 17:10-14). The prohibition isn’t about diet preferences; it protects a sacred symbol. Blood belongs to God because it atones for sin (Leviticus 17:11). • Israel’s neighbors often drank or poured out blood in occult rituals. By refusing that practice, Israel testified: – Life is God-given and not to be consumed for personal power. – Atonement comes through God’s appointed sacrifice, not magic. • The New Testament upholds the same moral core for Gentile believers: “abstain from blood” (Acts 15:20, 29). Though Christians are not under the ceremonial law, we still treat life—and therefore blood—with reverence. • Practical takeaway: honor the sanctity of life, receive atonement only through Christ’s shed blood (Hebrews 9:12-14), and avoid anything that trivializes life’s value. You must not practice divination or sorcery • The Lord had just rescued Israel from Egypt, a nation steeped in magic. He wanted His people to draw guidance from Him alone, so He commands, “Do not practice divination or sorcery.” • Divination seeks hidden knowledge apart from God; sorcery manipulates spiritual forces for selfish ends. Both reject the Lord’s sufficiency. • Scripture consistently condemns these practices: – “Let no one be found among you…who practices divination” (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). – King Saul’s visit to the medium at Endor ends in judgment (1 Samuel 28). – In Acts 19:18-19, new believers burn their magic scrolls, demonstrating true repentance. – Paul lists sorcery among “the works of the flesh” that bar people from inheriting the kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21). • Why God forbids it: – It opens the door to demonic influence (1 Corinthians 10:20). – It mirrors humanity’s first sin—seeking wisdom apart from God (Genesis 3:5-6). – It denies the sufficiency of Scripture and the Holy Spirit for guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 16:13). • Believers today face modern versions—horoscopes, tarot, manifestations, crystals. The form changes; the rebellion behind them does not. Our calling is to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and cling to God’s revealed Word. summary Leviticus 19:26 anchors two timeless truths. First, life is sacred; blood symbolizes that life and ultimately points to Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. Second, God alone is our source of wisdom and power; any attempt to tap supernatural forces apart from Him is forbidden and dangerous. Walking in reverence for life and reliance on the Lord marks us as His holy people in every generation. |
    |