HOW CAN BLOOD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Conclusion of:  BLOOD-VITAL FOR LIFE

Scientists now know that the Jewish Law code promoted good health.  It required, for example, that excrement be deposited outside the camp and covered and that people not eat meat that carried a high risk of disease.  (Leviticus 11:4-8, 13;  17:15; Deuteronomy 23:12, 13) While the law about blood had health aspects, much more was involved. Blood had a symbolic meaning.  It stood for life provided by the Creator.  By treating blood as special, the people showed dependence on him for life. Yes, the chief reason why they were not to take in blood, was, not that it was unhealthy, but that it had special meaning to God. 

Note: And in case no one knows, it is what God wants and commands that is most important in our lives. 

The Law repeatedly stated the Creator's ban on taking blood to sustain life.  "You must not eat blood; pour it out on the ground like water. Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you, because you will be doing what is right."  Deuteronomy 12:23-25, NIV; 15:23; Leviticus 7:26, 27; Ezekiel 33:25. 

Note: When God says eat no blood, he means not only do not drink it but do not eat meat that still has blood in it. For example, do not eat rare or medium rare meat. 

Contrary to how some today reason, God's law on blood was not to be ignored just because an emergency arose.  (Note: Because there is a bloodless way to re- juvenate the blood.)  During wartime crisis, some Israelite soldiers killed animals and "fell to eating along with the blood." In view of the emergency, was it permissible for them to sustain their lives with blood? No.  Their commander pointed out that their course was still a grave wrong.  (1 Samuel 14:31-35)  Hence, precious as life is, our Life-Giver never said that his standards could ignored in an emergency.  

Note: If we do what he says on this subject, we will be in his favor and will be rewarded  in the end.   We all have an expiration date, we are not guaranteed another day of life on this earth.  So when we obey him on this, if we are meant to die because of not taking in blood through transfusions, we will die, if we don't take it in, we have a better chance at living, either in this system of things/world, or on the paradise earth forever. 

Next time: HOW CAN BLOOD SAVE YOUR LIFE?/BLOOD AND TRUE CHRISTIANS

From the Watchtower magazine