"Why God prohibits the eating of blood or any food mixed with blood?"
THE
BIBLE SPEKS of blood not to be eaten. In fact, the Bible strictly forbids the
eating of blood. Why did God prohibits the eating of blood?
BLOOD IS LIFE
The Lord God
forbids the eating of blood as early as the time of Noah:
“So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them:
"Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. And the fear of you and the
dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on
all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into
your hand. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given
you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its
life, that is, its blood.” (Genesis 9:1-4, NKJV)
God did not
only command the ancient people to abstain from eating blood, but also gave the
reason why. He said, “Every moving thing
that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green
herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”
Take note that
blood was not given as food. He created
and designed it for a definite purpose which man should uphold. Thus,
God ordered the ancient people “not to
eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”
Biological
sciences confirm it. This truly amazing red fluid circulates in the vascular
system of human beings and multi-cellular animals. Blood supplies nourishment (nutrition) and transport oxygen (respiration) to all parts of the body.
It carries away waste products (excretion) and safeguards the body against
disease and infection. It also regulates the body temperature (encyclopedia International, vol. III, p.
73). The lack of it could render man lifeless or in deficient condition, so
much more the absence of it. Because of its fundamental importance for the
individual’s existence, blood is frequently used as a synonym for life. Hence
the prohibition:
“Just as the gazelle and the deer are eaten, so you may
eat them; the unclean and the clean alike may eat them. Only be sure that you
do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with
the meat.” (Deuteronomy 12:22-23, NKJV)
ITS ATONING VALUE
Another reason
given by the Bible for His law prohibiting the eating of blood is that, blood
is used as atonement for man’s soul:
“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.'” (Leviticus 17:11, NKJV)
During the time
of ancient Israel, animal blood was used as a sacrifice to atone for man’s sin.
Thus, blood served as a ransom or counterprice. Blood, therefore, is not
intended as foor but as atonement for man’s soul. For this reason too, it
should not be eaten.
THE PENALTY
Because God
strictly forbids the eating of blood, any offender is going to pay for the
price. This the Bible proclaims:
“If any Israelite or any foreigner living in the
community eats meat with blood still in it, the LORD will turn against him and
no longer consider him one of his people.” (Leviticus 17:10, TEV)
The Lord will
turn against him who violate His law prohibiting the eating of blood, and if he
happens to be among God’s people, he will no longer be considered one of his
people.
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