In the Blood
Read This Week: Leviticus 17
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Therefore, I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.” – Leviticus 17:11-12 NIV
Leviticus 17 is another chapter in our study that underscores and puts emphasis on the sanctity of life and the seriousness of worshipping Yahweh in ancient Israel. Often referred to by Old Testament scholars as the “Law of the Slaughtered Animals,” this section sets boundaries for how and where God’s people were to make sacrifices. It outlines forbidding private offerings and requiring that all sacrifices of worship be brought to the tabernacle. At first glance, these commands may seem outdated, but they carry enduring relevance.
At its core, this week reminds us that access to God is not casual or self-defined by people. The Lord calls for worship that is intentional, community-driven, and centered on His holy presence. In our culture and even in the church at times, we are prone to individualism and the desire to approach God in a manner that we deem necessary and fitting. That is why this principle speaks volumes even to us in modern times. The Israelites were not allowed to sacrifice wherever or however they pleased. God demanded that offerings be brought to the designated place of worship, reinforcing both accountability and unity. Today, while we no longer bring outside physical sacrifices (except for our own lives and bodies, e.g., Romans 12:1), the principle endures. Our worship and lifestyles should be shaped and influenced by God’s word, not our personal preferences.
There is great emphasis here on the value of blood, stating that the life of a creature is in the blood (v. 11). Blood was not to be consumed or misused because it represented life, and it was how atonement was made for sin and acceptable to God. This practice yet again foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood brings eternal salvation. In our lives, this truth should inspire reverence and respect, not only for Christ’s sacrifice but also for the lives of others. It challenges us to honor the sanctity of life and human dignity, and to approach spiritual matters with awe, not flippancy. It is in the blood. There is a contemporary worship song that captures this truth about the significance of the blood for the payment for sin and renewal for all those who trust in Jesus. The writer of these lyrics recognizes and proclaims that it could have only been the blood:
Everything changed; it’s getting harder to recognize
The person I was before I encountered Christ
I don’t walk like I used to
I don’t talk like I used to
I’ve been washed from the inside
I’ve been washed from the inside out
Hallelujah, hallelujah
I know it was the blood
It could have only been the blood
Hallelujah, hallelujah
I know it was the blood
It could have only been the blood
Paul writes in Ephesians 1:7 that in him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. It was in the life’s blood of worthy sacrifices for the Israelites in this passage, and it is in the blood of the most worthy sacrifice, Jesus Christ, that we can approach God and receive forgiveness and grace for all time.
Leviticus 17 calls us to take God’s instructions seriously in our worship and lifestyle. And it challenges us to honor the sacredness of life in the way we treat others, make decisions, and engage the world around us. This week is not just about ancient rituals; it is a call to live in alignment with God’s holiness, to value life sincerely, and to worship in a way that reflects His presence and truth.
Leviticus chapter 17 Verse 11
For the life, (the animal soul) is in the blood, and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life [which it represents.]
~There Is Power In The Blood~
God Is Saying To Me:
My child, there is life in the blood of the flesh. Blood is the source of physical life for all creatures. This concept helps you to understand the sacrificial system in this chapter and the Old Testament. Jesus gives you a different way for atonement.
What This Means To Me:
Life is given by God and all life belongs to Him. In this chapter, God gives detailed instructions on the atoning work of blood sacrifices. Anyone not following the sacrificial instructions will be cut off from His people. Life is very important to God because He gave life to us. The ultimate sin sacrifice is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. He gave His life fueled by His blood, as the carrier of life in the New Testament, so that the ultimate forgiveness and redemption was given as a complete sacrifice for mankind’s sin.
Thank you Father God for loving us so much that you gave your only begotten Son so that we may have eternal life with You! ❤️
Did you know that life is precious? Life is valuable. It’s so important to God. When I say life, I mean all life. And when it comes to human life, it’s extra special because we are made in the image of God. God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made—and we truly are. It’s a miracle how wonderfully we are designed. When I think about my life and the life of others, I can’t help but also think about all the life God has created. God brings life. Without Him, there would be no life. He is not only the Creator, but the Life-Giver. When He made Adam, He breathed the Holy Spirit—He breathed life—into him. That’s why we should cherish, respect, and honor all life, not just human life, because it’s special, it’s important, and it comes from God.
1. Worship Directed to God Alone – Israel was commanded not to sacrifice to goat-idols, demons, or participate in pagan rituals. Worship was to be focused solely on the Lord, not on worldly systems or spiritual counterfeits. For Christians, this means our focus must remain on the things of God, not the distractions or idols of the world.
2. The Sacredness of Blood – Blood represented life and was reserved for atonement in the Old Testament. For us, Christ’s blood is the ultimate atonement for sin. When we take Communion, we remember and proclaim what Jesus has done for us, honoring His sacrifice as the fulfillment of these laws.
3. Purity, Holiness, and Respect for Life – God’s commands in Leviticus also emphasize avoiding unclean practices and living with integrity. For Christians, this includes honoring life, respecting God’s creation, living by His commandments, and maintaining godly ethics in every area of life.
Leviticus 17
For me It’s all about being more aware of knowing life Is in the Blood
Life is in the blood. Blood matters. Life matters. You matter to Father God.
In Leviticus 17, God speaks to Moses to share with His people because He loves them. He’s helping them grow in His ways, in His holiness. His heart is for us to be open—to listen and respond to what He is teaching in our own lives.
At first, this chapter may seem intense with its focus on blood sacrifices and strict instructions. But if we look closer, it’s actually a message about life, worship, obedience, and greater responsibility. God was preparing His people to understand the power of the blood—because one day, the Lamb of God would come, not to cover sin temporarily, but to wash it away once and for all.
God was setting His people apart, teaching them they couldn’t just worship or live however they wanted. They were His chosen ones, so their actions—and their hearts—really mattered. Where they sacrificed, how they sacrificed, and even what they ate reflected whether or not they were honoring Him.
The key verse here is Leviticus 17:11 (AMP):
“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 that makes atonement, by reason of the life [which it represents].”
This was not just a rule—it was a revelation. God was showing His people the weight of life, the seriousness of sin, and the cost of atonement. Every time blood was shed, it was a reminder that sin brings death. But thank God for His mercy—He made a way for life through sacrifice.
In the Old Testament, the blood of animals made atonement by covering sin. But in the New Testament, Jesus—the perfect Lamb of God—made atonement by removing sin completely. His blood doesn’t just cover—it cleanses, heals, and reconciles us to our Father God (Romans 3).
And God is still speaking through Leviticus 17 today:
“I’ve always been after your heart. I’ve always been making a way for you to come close. I gave the blood because I always want you near to Me—not just your sacrifice, but your life, your worship, your love. Live with greater awareness of My presence. Live like you know the price that was paid. Live like your life matters—because it does. Don’t just bring an offering—be one. A living sacrifice, holy and set apart. Not out of duty, but out of love for the One who gave everything for you.”
Jesus gave everything—His body, His blood, His breath. So what is the condition of your heart today? Distracted? Wounded? Numb? He isn’t asking for perfection—He just wants your whole heart. He wants to be apart of your life!
Will you give it to Him?
Not just as a sacrifice—but as a love offering.
Father God,
thank You for showing us that life is in the blood and for giving the blood of Your Son so we could be cleansed, forgiven, and brought close to You. Help us to live with a deep awareness of the price that was paid for us. Let our lives be more than just words or ritual—make us living sacrifices, holy and set apart, overflowing with love for You. Heal our hearts where they are distracted, wounded, or numb. Please Draw us close, and keep us close, until the day we are home with You. In Jesus’ Loving and caring name, Amen
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Leviticus 17
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250810-worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250810-message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250810-worship2.wav
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