The Life Is in the Blood
A Verse-by-Verse Bible Study on Leviticus 17
By JK Woodall
Introduction
Leviticus 17 reveals a foundational spiritual truth that echoes throughout all of Scripture: life belongs to God, and blood represents life. In this chapter, God regulates sacrifice, confronts idolatry, and establishes blood as the means of atonement. This truth ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whose blood secures eternal redemption.
Leviticus 17:1
Verse (NKJV):
“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,”
Teaching:
God initiates the conversation. Worship, atonement, and holiness all begin with God’s revelation, not human invention.
New Testament Validation:
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets.” (Hebrews 1:1, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:2
Verse (NKJV):
“Speak to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying:’”
Teaching:
This command applies to priests and people alike. God holds everyone accountable for honoring life and blood.
New Testament Validation:
“For there is no partiality with God.” (Romans 2:11, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:3
Verse (NKJV):
“Whatever man of the house of Israel who kills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp,”
Teaching:
Sacrifice is not casual or private. God regulates how life is offered back to Him.
New Testament Validation:
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.” (Romans 12:1, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:4
Verse (NKJV):
“And does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting to offer an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, blood shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people.”
Teaching:
God rejects unauthorized worship. Bloodshed outside God’s order is treated as guilt.
New Testament Validation:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:5
Verse (NKJV):
“To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer them as peace offerings to the Lord.”
Teaching:
God centralizes worship to protect His people from corruption and idolatry.
New Testament Validation:
“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:6
Verse (NKJV):
“And the priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and burn the fat for a sweet aroma to the Lord.”
Teaching:
Blood on the altar produces a pleasing aroma to God—it signifies obedience and life surrendered.
New Testament Validation:
“Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 5:2, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:7
Verse (NKJV):
“They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.”
Teaching:
Idolatry is spiritual adultery. God demands exclusive worship.
New Testament Validation:
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:21, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:8
Verse (NKJV):
“Also you shall say to them: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice,’”
Teaching:
God’s standards apply to all who dwell among His people.
New Testament Validation:
“For the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.” (Romans 10:12, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:9
Verse (NKJV):
“And does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer it to the Lord, that man shall be cut off from among his people.”
Teaching:
Approaching God outside His provision leads to separation.
New Testament Validation:
“Having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:10
Verse (NKJV):
“And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people.”
Teaching:
Blood is sacred. To misuse it is to reject God’s ownership of life.
New Testament Validation:
“You were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:20, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:11
Verse (NKJV):
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”
Teaching:
This verse defines biblical atonement. Life is exchanged for life.
New Testament Fulfillment:
“Without shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22, NKJV)
“This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.” (Matthew 26:28, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:12
Verse (NKJV):
“Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.’”
Teaching:
Life is holy and must be honored.
New Testament Validation:
“Abstain from blood.” (Acts 15:29, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:13
Verse (NKJV):
“Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust;”
Teaching:
Blood is returned to God, acknowledging Him as the giver of life.
New Testament Validation:
“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” (Romans 11:36, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:14
Verse (NKJV):
“For it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’”
Teaching:
Life is inseparable from blood—God alone governs both.
New Testament Validation:
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:15
Verse (NKJV):
“And every person who eats what died naturally or what was torn by beasts, whether he is a native of your own country or a stranger, he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. Then he shall be clean.”
Teaching:
Death brings impurity. Cleansing is required.
New Testament Fulfillment:
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, NKJV)
Leviticus 17:16
Verse (NKJV):
“But if he does not wash them or bathe his body, then he shall bear his guilt.”
Teaching:
God requires response. Grace does not remove responsibility.
New Testament Validation:
“How much more shall the blood of Christ… cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14, NKJV)
Closing Truth
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13, NKJV)
The life is in the blood—and that life was fully given in Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment