Leviticus 17: Real Relationship

​Key Verse
16 But if he does not wash them or bathe his flesh, he shall bear his iniquity.”
 
Meditation
God desires real relationship with His people and the provision of sacrifice is central to this purpose. Levitical sacrificial law was a pattern pointing to the person and work of Jesus. Jesus was cut off so His people could be brought near. Jesus’s bloody sacrifice was a substitution for our sin so believers can be reconciled in relationship with Him.
 
Two prohibitions divide today’s reading. First, Israelites (and the foreigners among them) should not sacrifice animals outside the prescribed place at the entrance to the tent of meeting. (1-9) This would confuse worship of the Lord with the worship of demon gods (7) and result in being cut off (4, 9). Second, Israelites (and the foreigners among them) should not partake in blood (10-16) or they, too, will be cut off (10) and bear their own sin (16).
 
The Lord’s passion for personal relationship was revealed by emphasizing the proper place for sacrifice, the proper use of blood, and the priority of addressing ritual impurity. These laws no longer carry significance because Jesus has secured the way of relationship with the Father by becoming the sacrifice for us, His blood shed for His people so we can be ritually pure and restored to relationship with our Holy God.

God did not abandon His people who rebelled in the wilderness. From love, The Lord provided a path for personal relationship through sacrifice. God does not abandon people today who rebel against Him and reject His word. Jesus bore our iniquity on the tree so we can be drawn near through His irresistible grace.
 
Today’s Reading
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the people of Israel and say to them, This is the thing that the Lord has commanded. 3 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, 4 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. He has shed blood, and that man shall be cut off from among his people. 5 This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord. 6 And the priest shall throw the blood on the altar of the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting and burn the fat for a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 7 So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

8 “And you shall say to them, Any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice 9 and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it to the Lord, that man shall be cut off from his people.

Laws Against Eating Blood
10 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn 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. 11 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. 12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

13 “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. 14 For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.15 And every person who eats what dies of itself or what is torn by beasts, whether he is a native or a sojourner, shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening; then he shall be clean. 16 But if he does not wash them or bathe his flesh, he shall bear his iniquity.”
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you in today’s reading, especially the consequences of being cut off?
 
-Why is God’s provision of proper sacrifice for sins a profound demonstration of His love for His people- for you?
 
-The sacrificial law is fulfilled and finished in the person and work of Jesus, freeing you to worship Him with all you say, think, and do. Where do you need to embrace this freedom by living as a sacrifice for Jesus? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
16 But if he does not wash them or bathe his flesh, he shall bear his iniquity.”