Why does Leviticus 17:10 prohibit consuming blood according to God's command? The Command in Focus “‘If anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner residing among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people.’” • The prohibition is absolute—covering every Israelite and every foreigner living among them. • “Cut off” points to divine judgment, underscoring how seriously God regards this command. Life Resides in the Blood “‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood.’” • Blood is not merely a bodily fluid; it carries the life God breathes into every creature (cf. Genesis 9:4). • Treating blood casually would cheapen life itself. Blood Reserved for Atonement “‘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.’” • God assigns blood one sacred use: securing atonement on the altar. • Consuming what God set aside for sacrifice would profane that atoning purpose. God’s Ownership and Lordship • By forbidding consumption, God reminds His people that life—and therefore blood—belongs to Him alone (Deuteronomy 12:23). • Obedience acknowledges His sovereign right over every heartbeat. Separation from Pagan Practices • Surrounding nations drank blood in magic rites and idolatrous feasts. • Leviticus 17:7 shows God steering Israel away from “goat demons,” insisting they worship Him exclusively. • Refusing blood marked Israel as distinct and holy. Continuity Across Scripture • The principle predates Moses: “But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it” (Genesis 9:4). • It carries into the New Testament: Gentile believers are told “to abstain from blood” (Acts 15:20, 29). • Scripture presents a unified witness—God’s people in every era honor the sanctity of blood. Christ’s Blood Fulfilled the Picture • Old-covenant sacrifices foreshadowed the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus (Hebrews 9:12, 22). • Redemption comes “through His blood” (Ephesians 1:7); we were ransomed “with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). • Revering blood ultimately directs worship toward the cross, where the true atonement was made. Key Takeaways • Blood equals life; life is God’s domain. • God assigns blood for sacrificial atonement, not for food. • The command sets God’s people apart from paganism. • Scripture repeats the principle from Noah to the early church. • Honoring the prohibition teaches us to treasure the saving blood of Christ. |
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