6. STANDARDS FOR SERVICE TO GOD (Leviticus 17:1 - 22:33)

Israel was to live and conduct themselves according to God's standards in complete distinction from the Egyptians and the heathen around them. The key verses are:

Leviticus 18:1-5 "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'I am the LORD your God. According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the LORD."

Leviticus 17:5 "... and offer them as peace offerings to the LORD."

Notice that even though these animals were killed for food, they were to be brought as offerings to the Lord (Leviticus 17:7 ). The whole of life is to be set apart to God. In our living and service there is to be no distinction between sacred and secular.

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

This should be one of the guiding principles in all that we do. Do it to manifest some characteristic of God, the whole of life consecrated to God.

1 Corinthians 10:7 "And do not become idolaters as were some of them. ..."

(Compare Exodus 32:1-14 ). The purpose of the law was to ensure that every sacrifice was made to the true God. If a sacrifice was not made to God it was declared to have been made to demons. The false gods of the heathen do not as such exist, yet are impersonations of demons who receive the worship offered to false gods.

1 Corinthians 10:20 "Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons."

Service or worship offered in false religion is really received by the lying demon behind prostitution of the truth.

1 Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,"

Be sure to stay in the truth of God's word, rendering all worshipful service to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, through the eternal Spirit.

Leviticus 17:12 "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.'"

Two Important Reasons Are Given:

Leviticus 17:11 "'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.'"

We speak rightly of life blood - the life of the body is derived from it. Therefore all blood was treated as "holy" to symbolise a reverence for life in general. In our service we are to practice the highest respect for the life of others. Blood was again holy because the blood being the carrier of the soul (Leviticus 14:14 ) or life. The shedding of blood symbolizes the pouring out of life.

Isaiah 53:12 "Because He poured out His soul unto death."

Christ's poured out lifeblood made the efficacy of atonement.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The regulation not to eat blood kept before the people the relationship of the blood and forgiveness. Proclaiming the efficacy of the blood of Jesus should be evident in our service of witnessing.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What was the purpose of the law that all animals had to be killed before the door of the tabernacle (Leviticus 17:1-7 )?

2. When sacrifices and worship are offered to false gods, who receives the worship (Leviticus 17:7; 1 Corinthians 10:20 )?

3. What would be your reasons for abstaining from eating blood (Leviticus 17:12; Acts 15:20 )?