Originally posted: 05/14/2019
God continues to command His people to live as set apart, as a kingdom representing a Holy God to all peoples; and blood would have a prominent and precisely regulated role.
Consider His Regulations Regarding Blood
- His Regulations Regarding Blood delineated the strict parameters for acceptable sacrifice.
- ‘This is what the Lord has commanded, saying, 3 “Any man from the house of Israel who slaughters an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or who slaughters it outside the camp, 4 and has not brought it to the doorway of the tent of meeting to present it as an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, bloodguiltiness is to be reckoned to that man. The reason is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field, that they may bring them in to the Lord, at the doorway of the tent of meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord. 6 The priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting, and offer up the fat in smoke as a soothing aroma to the Lord. 7 They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations,”’ (17:2-7).
- His Regulations Regarding Blood disclosed His only means of atonement.
- “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement,” (17:11).
- His Regulations Regarding Blood demanded respect for the sanctity of life.
- “For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, ‘You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood; whoever eats it shall be cut off,’” (17:14).
How are we to respond to His Regulations Regarding Blood?
- He has granted us the privilege of coming to Him in worship; He sets the parameters, not us.
- Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? (Romans 11:33-34).
- Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, (Hebrews 10:19-20).
- He has provided atonement for our sins through the precious blood of Jesus; His way, not ours.
- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me,” (John 14:6).
- …knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ, (1 Peter 1:18-19).
There is much we derive from His declaration, “the life of all flesh is in its blood.” All life is a gift from the Holy Creator, and therefore sacred: every human conceived (Psalm 139); every living human, good or bad (Ezekiel 18:23); and even animals (Proverbs 12:10).
- Jesus adhered to every Regulation Regarding the Blood. He died, paying the ultimate payment; the sacred life of His flesh was in His blood, shed to impart His abundant life to all who would believe.
- “…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly,” (John 10:10).
- While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins,” (Matthew 26:26-28).
- For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
- I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me, (Galatians 2:20).
Let us praise Him today; He alone has fulfilled every Regulation Regarding the Blood, imparting to us His sacred abundant life and the eternal hope of glory.
… Christ in you, the hope of glory, (Colossians 1:27).