Leviticus 17:1-7 Israelites are forbidden to offer the blood of an animal to any other god than YHWH, and in any location other than the Tabernacle. To offer a sacrifice to a goat demon is to be guilty of bloodshed. It is equivalent to prostitution. The person who does so must be cut off from the people. But this duty (monotheistic worship of the one true God) leads to joy.
Leviticus 17:8-9 The same command is true for anyone who offers a burnt offering elsewhere. Cut them off.
Leviticus 17:10-14 Israelites are forbidden from eating blood. This applies also to foreigners who live among the Israelites. Properly respected, blood makes atonement for life. Eating it results in excommunication. When an animal is killed to be eaten, its blood must be drained on the ground and covered with dirt.
A key statement repeated in verses 11, 14, and 15: the life of a creature is in the blood. Our eternal lives are in Jesus, and specifically through His shed blood. (John 6:53-58) This happened literally on the cross. (John 19:34) and sacramentally at the Last Supper and in partaking of communion (Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25). Physically we know that blood transports fuel to the various parts of the body, and oxygen, to enable life at the cellular level. This is at such a detailed bio-molecular level that it cannot be mixed between animals. Blood transfusions have only been done safely since about 1940, and there are still risks of disease being transferred.
What a picture of spiritual life! There are at least three important functions of blood. Blood carries nutrients to individual cells, much like the transmission of the Scriptures through preaching, reading, discussion, that is food for the soul. (Hebrews 5:12) Blood also transports oxygen to individual souls so that they can breathe and the nutrients become fuel for both growth and activity, much as Ruach HaKodesh breathes life into the Word of God we have received. (2 Timothy 3:16) Blood also transports the byproducts of this process at the cellular level away to be eliminated in the digestive tract, as Jesus removes our sins to be remembered no more. (Hebrews 10)
Leviticus 17:15-16 Almost as an afterthought, anyone eating an animal found dead or torn by wild animals must ceremonially cleanse themselves through bathing and washing their clothes.
Leviticus 18 Sexual Relationships
Leviticus 18:1-5 The people of YHWH are to be different from the Egyptians and the Canaanites. The phrase “I am the Lord” (echoing Exodus 3:14-15) is repeated in 18:1,5,21, & 30. His ways are distinctly different from those of the world. He created humankind to function in a distinct way. Although we all fall short, His blessing comes to those who obey, and there are consequences for disobedience.
Leviticus 18:6-18 Incest is forbidden, and specific types are enumerated in detail. To commit sexual immorality is to put self over God. They go hand-in-hand down a path towards the end described below. One particular prohibition, that of having sex with a woman and her sister (18:18), was violated by Jacob in marrying both Leah and Rachel. (Genesis 29:23-30) This was orchestrated by Laban, who bore the brunt of God’s displeasure, but also did lead to family tensions that continued through the adult lives of Joseph and Benjamin.
Leviticus 18:19 A woman experiences pain and uncleanness during her menstrual period. Men should respect her.
Leviticus 18:20 Do not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14) Frequently repeated, but ignored today.
Leviticus 18:21 Do not offer your children as sacrifices to Moloch. There is a difficulty in understanding Abraham’s offering of Isaac. (Genesis 22:2) In effect, God told Abraham to profane His Name by offering Isaac as a burnt offering. When he was about to commit the act, God intervened to stop him (Genesis 22:12), but all the explanations fall short. Yes, this was a foreshadowing of Jesus being offering His own life, but Jesus did so of His own free will, having prayed through the issue. (Luke 22:42-44) In any event, the warning of consequences of child sacrifice ought to give a chill to anyone who advocates abortion without restriction.
Leviticus 18:22 Homosexuality is forbidden, and its consequences were repeated in the New Testament. (Romans 1:27)
Leviticus 18:23 Bestiality is also forbidden.
Leviticus 18:24-28 The response is tied to the Land of Israel. It vomited out the Canaanites who practiced these things, and the same would happen to the Israelites when they did. (2 Chronicles 36:15-21) The land was defiled by these sins, and it reacted as a person would who ingests something gross. It spewed them out forcibly.
Leviticus 18:29-30 Israel’s defense was to cut off any person who practiced these things. Excommunicate them. Execute them. Or else, they would be exiled.
The immorality of modern society seems overwhelming, to the point where anyone who challenges abortion on demand or rampant homosexuality or limits on sexual relationships is summarily labeled by news and social media, politicians, and influencers as being Neanderthals or prudes. The consequences of this for our society cannot be dismissed. God is not mocked. (Galatians 6:7) Individuals will face either the judgment seat of Christ (to receive mercy) or the Great White Throne of judgment (to receive justice). Society appears to have a longer timeline, but God lives in eternity. Even Sodom and Gomorrah and the Canaanites had ample time to repent, but not unlimited. (Genesis 14; Genesis 18:20-19:25. Genesis 15:16; Deuteronomy 9:3-5)
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