CHRISTIANITY: FALSE TEACHING, FALSE DOCTRINE TITHES & OFFERING SERIES

Part 35: God Warns Against Improper Sacrifice Leviticus Chapter 17

In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.

Carl Patton writing for the FreedomJournal January 29, 2001 in the year of our Lord.

In this chapter we see further information that pertains to sacrifice and the value of the blood. This was the time of the wilderness march and the period that Israel was camped around the Tabernacle. The Hebrew people were scattered throughout the land of Palestine. Some lived great distances from the Tabernacle. Therefore, it was often impossible to bring the animals they would offer as a sacrifice to the Tabernacle. (See Deuteronomy 12:15-16, 20-25).

God gave the Hebrew people strict instructions on the order and ritual of sacrifices because of their past history. During their enslavement in Egypt the Hebrews had worshiped idols. The Egyptians worshiped Mendes, the goat god. Meanwhile, the Greeks worshiped the goat god Pan. This god in Greek literature was depicted with tails, horns, and cloven feet. The Christians of the Medieval period then identified this form as the devil. The word panic is also derived from this period when it described the terror caused by the devil. Therefore, the Hebrew people were forbidden to kill any animal other than at the tabernacle to prevent any inference to idolatry.

Leviticus 17:1-2. "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying," "Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, saying,"

Aaron was a true inspired man of God. However, in this instance Moses is placed between God and Aaron. Thus, we see the great authority of Moses in the Law to the people. This passage also reveals that God through Moses and Aaron is speaking to the sons of Aaron and the entire nation of Israel.

Lev. 17:3-6. "What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp."

God had established specific times and places for sacrifice. If people sacrificed on their own, they may subtract from God's laws to fit their own life-styles. Also, many heathens allowed their Priests to set his own rules. For the record these animals were for food for God's people.

Among the heathens the meat was offered to an idol before it was eaten. Also, the Hebrews were enslaved by the Egyptians, and they also worshiped idols like the Egyptians. (See Ezekiel 20:6-8). Hebrews as idol worshipers in Egypt. Also, see 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and 10:1-33. Paul speaks to the Corinthians about idolatry).

Jewish Christians did not like to eat with the Gentile Christians because of the difference over meat offered to idols. An understanding of this chapter in Leviticus will allow one to gain the significance of the scripture in 1 Corinthians. Finally we see this scripture revealing that a clean animal for food would be killed at the Tabernacle door. The blood would be poured out at the door. Also, blood was placed upon the altar. As a Peace Offering the fat would be offered, and the reminder would be returned to the owner.

Lev. 17:7. "And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a-whoring. This shall be a statute forever unto them throughout their generations."

The word devil in this verse means "hairy ones" or goats. (See 2 Chronicles 11:15). This passage also refers to nature worship associated with the god Pan. God wanted to protect the people from returning to idolatry and gross immorality.

Lev. 17:8-9. "And thou shalt say unto them, whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice.

There was only one place for this sacrifice. The offering must be made according to the law. These laws applied to all who established residence in Israel. There was also the ever present danger that the heathens among them would cause them to resort to idolatry. See 1 Corinthians 10:14. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry." 2 Corinthians 6:14-17. " Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?

Lev. 17:10-11. "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against the soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people."

The life is in the blood. When offered with the right attitude, the sacrifice and the blood shed from it made forgiveness of sin possible. Blood also represented the sinners life, infected by his sin and headed for death. The blood thus represented the innocent life of the animal that was sacrificed in place of the guilty person making the offering.

Lev. 17:12-14. "Therefore I say unto the children of Israel, no soul shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.

There are specific reasons as to why blood was not to be eaten: 1. Life is sacred, even animals are not to be slain needlessly. 2. Blood speaks of the sacrifice of Christ. Blood and life are synonymous. Man was never to eat blood. (See John 6:54-56. "Who so eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Because the life of the flesh is in the blood, Jesus is saying that we are to accept His shed blood for our sins in faith and we will receive life. Jesus shed His blood and gave His life. The life is in the blood, The blood of Christ is the only thing that can wash away sin.

Cont. Part 36: The Moral & Religious Laws Leviticus 19

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Peace be unto you.