Why is Blood So Important To God?
Why Blood is So Important
The blood of humans and animals is a high complex fluid which contains cells, various forms of nourishment for tissues, oxygen, disease antibodies, hormones and other substances which, when in balance, maintain health and well being. Thus, the life of the flesh (i.e., the whole body) is indeed “in the blood.” (THE OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARIES — LEVITICUS, p. 181).
Blood is known to be a vital principle of the physical body. The discovery of the circulation of the blood was revolutionary in the study of anatomy. In more recent years it has been demonstrated that the health of the body depends on the rapidity of the blood flow; and blood transfusions are an accepted means of prolonging life. (THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS, C. R. Erdman, p. 81).
The Bible does say for the life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11); for it is the life of all flesh (Leviticus 17:14); …for the blood is the life (Deuteronomy 12:23).
Thus we understand that the blood represents the life. Although blood represents life it should be pointed out that the Bible also references the “breath” (oxygen) as being necessary for life (see Psalm 104:29,30… Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth).
In addition to oxygen to sustain life, we must also recognize the need for water and food nourishment as essential for the maintaining of physical life. So blood is not the sole element of physical life.
The blood represents life, and so sacred is life before God that the blood of animals was used in all offerings for sin as man’s vicarious substitute (atonement) under the Mosaic (Old Testament) law.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
Only as atonement is linked with death, the shedding of blood, and not life set free, would it appear to become efficacious in the covering of human sin.
The regulations concerning the sacredness of blood are full of spiritual meaning for the Christian. In addition to justification and forgiveness through the blood of Christ (see Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7), the Christian gains access to God in faith (Hebrews 10:22), experiences victory over evil (Revelation 12:11), and obtains eternal glory (Revelation 7:19).
The death of Christ has brought new life into being for mankind by atoning for us in a manner completely beyond our own human abilities to perform. (TYNDALE OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARIES– LEVITICUS, pp. 182,183).
