Leviticus 17:1-16
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. – Leviticus 17:14b
Leviticus 17–26 is often called the Holiness Code, where the word “holy” appears 85 times, highlighting God’s deep concern for the holiness of His people. For the Israelites, holiness was not just a matter of outward actions. It was meant to be a way of life, deeply rooted in the heart and expressed through every aspect of daily living.
In Leviticus 17–18, we see a series of commandments related to everyday conduct. These laws emphasize that becoming a holy nation begins with rejecting the corrupt practices and values of the surrounding pagan cultures. God warns His people, saying:
“For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people. So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practised before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 18:29–30)
Leviticus 17 contains three key prohibitions:
1. Sacrifices must not be made outside the Tent of Meeting, and the blood of the sacrifice must be sprinkled on the altar at the entrance to the tabernacle.
2. Offerings must not be made to other gods. These two laws address pagan rituals practised by the Israelites at the time, offering sacrifices in the open fields and pouring blood on the ground in worship of goat demons (v.5, 7). A holy people must reject idolatry and worship the one true God alone.
3. The third prohibition forbids the eating of blood. God declares: “I will set my face against any individual who eats blood and will cut them off from the people, for the life of the creature is in the blood.” (vv.10–11) In ancient pagan religions, drinking blood symbolized seizing life power or communing with spirits. Some used blood in occult rituals or divination. These practices sought to gain control or connect with evil spirits, directly contradicting the biblical truth that blood is given for atonement, not self-empowerment.
We see clearly that the Holiness Code was God’s way of liberating His people from distorted worldviews and corrupt values. This was the first step in shaping them to become a holy nation. Therefore, true holiness is not just measured by how long we pray or how loudly we sing in worship. It is revealed in whether we are willing to reject unbiblical habits and worldly mindsets.
Today, we no longer sacrifice animals, but in reality, we are still offering sacrifices every day. Are we offering our time, energy, and money to God, or to other “gods”? Are we, like the world, always seeking to indulge or reward ourselves? How do we spend our weekends or holidays? Do we simply binge shows, scroll endlessly, or chase after the next vacation?
In truth, our weekends, our online activity, and even our bank statements act like a mirror. They reflect the kinds of sacrifices we’re making. Are we truly living as people set apart for God, or just like everyone else?
Prayer:
Holy God, You have called us to be holy, just as You are holy. Forgive me for often offering my time, money, and talents however I please, instead of seeking Your will. Give me a heart that fears You and remembers the blood Jesus shed for me. Teach me to live and serve in a way that pleases You, offering myself daily as a living sacrifice. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Leviticus 17–26 is often called the Holiness Code, where the word “holy” appears 85 times, highlighting God’s deep concern for the holiness of His people. For the Israelites, holiness was not just a matter of outward actions. It was meant to be a way of life, deeply rooted in the heart and expressed through every aspect of daily living.
In Leviticus 17–18, we see a series of commandments related to everyday conduct. These laws emphasize that becoming a holy nation begins with rejecting the corrupt practices and values of the surrounding pagan cultures. God warns His people, saying:
“For everyone who does any of these abominations, the persons who do them shall be cut off from among their people. So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practised before you, and never to make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 18:29–30)
Leviticus 17 contains three key prohibitions:
1. Sacrifices must not be made outside the Tent of Meeting, and the blood of the sacrifice must be sprinkled on the altar at the entrance to the tabernacle.
2. Offerings must not be made to other gods. These two laws address pagan rituals practised by the Israelites at the time, offering sacrifices in the open fields and pouring blood on the ground in worship of goat demons (v.5, 7). A holy people must reject idolatry and worship the one true God alone.
3. The third prohibition forbids the eating of blood. God declares: “I will set my face against any individual who eats blood and will cut them off from the people, for the life of the creature is in the blood.” (vv.10–11) In ancient pagan religions, drinking blood symbolized seizing life power or communing with spirits. Some used blood in occult rituals or divination. These practices sought to gain control or connect with evil spirits, directly contradicting the biblical truth that blood is given for atonement, not self-empowerment.
We see clearly that the Holiness Code was God’s way of liberating His people from distorted worldviews and corrupt values. This was the first step in shaping them to become a holy nation. Therefore, true holiness is not just measured by how long we pray or how loudly we sing in worship. It is revealed in whether we are willing to reject unbiblical habits and worldly mindsets.
Today, we no longer sacrifice animals, but in reality, we are still offering sacrifices every day. Are we offering our time, energy, and money to God, or to other “gods”? Are we, like the world, always seeking to indulge or reward ourselves? How do we spend our weekends or holidays? Do we simply binge shows, scroll endlessly, or chase after the next vacation?
In truth, our weekends, our online activity, and even our bank statements act like a mirror. They reflect the kinds of sacrifices we’re making. Are we truly living as people set apart for God, or just like everyone else?
Prayer:
Holy God, You have called us to be holy, just as You are holy. Forgive me for often offering my time, money, and talents however I please, instead of seeking Your will. Give me a heart that fears You and remembers the blood Jesus shed for me. Teach me to live and serve in a way that pleases You, offering myself daily as a living sacrifice. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.