DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONALS: MARCH 18 THE BLOOD COVENANT (2) SCRIPTURE: Lev. 17: 11 – 14
Yesterday’s devotional in a periphery, described what covenant is and how dangerous it is to breach any covenant. As discovered yesterday, any covenant defaulted, violated or breached attracts evil consequences in the now or in future. Today’s devotional brings to readers what “Blood Covenant” is to Christians and nonchristians. Almost all written documents attest to the truth that “Blood Covenant” is as old as the world and at the same time the strongest type of covenant. This is because most covenants involve shedding of blood for a binding ratification. Blood Covenant is that strongest probably, due to how God placed sacred regard on blood. The life of all living things is in the Blood (Lev. 17: 11). God told the Israelites not to eat blood of any animal including human beings because of this (Lev. 17: 13 – 14). Pastor Andrew Murray said “The Blood is one of the strangest, the deepest, the mightiest and the most heavenly of the thoughts of God.” In the Old Testament, God deals with His people by Blood Covenant. The Blood lies at the very root of both covenants, that is the Old Testament and New Testament covenants.
Blood was involved in covenant ratification because it carries atonement (Payment) for the values of the covenant promises. One Pastor Bob Yandian said that “Blood Covenant has been used in civilized as well as primitive nations to unite two people together in marriage, business or friendship.” The processes of blood covenant may vary from culture to culture, but it remains invoked as the core ingredient of covenant seal. In some cases, the two people’s body part is cut, the blood of each is squeezed into a container and mingled, and then each drink of the blood after oath and vow are taken. In the Old Testament, animal blood could be shed as representative of both individuals. The blood is mingled and sprinkled on them as God forbids them of eating blood. The blood is a permanent reminder of the covenant. God had respect for blood covenant in the Old Testament. Once covenant is taken and blood is shed, the two parties become “Blood Covenant Relations.” It will be interesting to know blood covenant is not used between people of same family lineage.
As it stands, people who had involved themselves in “Blood Covenant” run risk of evil consequences if the covenant is later broken. This belief cuts across tribes, nations and religious worlds. The greatest covenant between a benefactor and the recipients is the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross. There He shed His Blood for the remission of our sins (Eph. 1: 7). God has high regard for “Blood Covenant” with His people. The blood to be shed must come from blemish lamb and first born. Reason God demanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to Him. This forms the reason God offered Jesus Christ as “Sacrificial Lamb” on the Cross so that His Blood remains a forever reminder with God that as many as believe in Jesus will have to be forgiven and accepted into God’s lineage.
PRATER:
FATHER LORD, I believe today, that the blood Jesus shed on the Cross is for me to be saved. Let me therefore; begin to harvest the goodies of His death, in Jesus name.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
You can reach us through: ubaudenyi@gmail.com or patienceaye@gmail.com
