Leviticus 17
Today’s reading opens with God’s instructions to Moses and His people regarding the proper place of sacrifice: “If any one of the house of Israel kills an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or kills it outside the camp, and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a gift to the LORD in front of the tabernacle of the LORD, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man” (vv. 3-4). For the Israelites, there was only one way—God’s way—that sacrifices would be accepted by their Creator. For us today, who live in a world where many believe there are many ways to heaven, we must stand firm in our convictions, beliefs, and faith that there is only one sacrifice that reconciles us to God, and that is through the blood of Jesus. He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life; there is no other way to our Father but through Him (John 14:6).
We also read a rather blunt statement from God in verse 7, when He says, “they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore.” David Guzik notes that the “idea was that Israel was the covenant ‘wife’ of Yahweh. When Israel worshipped, honored, and sacrificed to idols it was like committing adultery or even prostitution with those gods — and the demons they represented.”[i] Recall, God is a jealous God, and we shall worship no other but Him (Exodus 34:14).
The latter half of Leviticus 17 outlines prohibitions regarding the drinking of blood from animals. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life” (v. 11). For context, it is important to realize that in many pagan religions of the time, it was a standard practice for worshippers to consume blood for food. God, knowing the precious commodity that blood was, desired for His people to recognize its proper value. Let’s again read Guzik’s commentary on this passage:
God agreed that there was spiritual significance in the blood of an animal or person. The difference was that among pagans, they said: “The life is in the blood; I must eat or drink it and take that life for myself.” The godly Israelite said, “The life of the flesh is in the blood, and it therefore belongs to God and not to me.” This emphasized a powerful idea: life belongs to God. God sets His face against that person who takes authority over life for themselves. Life depends on blood, is preserved by blood, and is nourished by blood.[ii]
The blood of the Old Testament sacrifices was to be highly revered by God’s people, as the implication was that sacrifice led to life. How much more should we, who now have eternal and abundant life because of the sacrificial blood of the Lamb, esteem its worth? Consider what the writer of Hebrews had to say on this: “Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (10:28-29; emphasis added).
In closing, we have talked a lot about blood recently (and will continue to do so as we progress through the Old Testament). Because of that, I would love for you to dwell on these words from the old, famous hymn, “Power of the Blood” as we move into a time of contemplation:
Would you be free from the burden of sin?There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.Would you o’er evil a victory win?There’s wonderful power in the blood.
There is power, power, wonder-working powerin the blood of the Lamb;there is power, power, wonder-working powerin the precious blood of the Lamb.
Would you be free from your passion and pride?There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide.There’s wonderful power in the blood.
Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow;there’s wonderful power in the blood.
Would you do service for Jesus your King?There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.Would you live daily His praises to sing?There’s wonderful power in the blood.[iii]
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Journal responses to the following prompts:
· What other ways, besides THE Way, do people seek to be reconciled with God?
Have you experienced the power of the Lamb’s blood in your life?
[i] Study Guide for Leviticus 17. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved April 14, 2026, from https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/leviticus/leviticus-17.cfm
[ii] ibid
[iii] Jones, L. E. (1899). Power in the blood [Song]. Hymnary.org. Retrieved April 14, 2026, from
https://hymnary.org/text/would_you_be_free_from_the_burden_jones