Continue with Blood-Vital for Life

In one early reference, the Creator declared:  "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. . . But you must not eat meat that still has its lifeblood in it." He added:  "For your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting," and then condemned murder. (Genesis 9:3-6, New International Version) He said that to Noah, a common ancestor highly esteemed by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. All humanity was thus notified in that the Creator's view, blood stands for life.  This was more than a dietary regulations. Clearly a moral principle was involved.  Human blood has great significance and should not be misused. The Creator later added details from which we can easily see the moral issues that he links to lifeblood. 

He again referred to blood when he gave the Law Code to ancient Israel.  While many people respect the wisdom and ethics in that code, few are aware of its serious laws on blood.  For instance,  "if anyone of the house of Israel or of the strangers who reside among them partakes of any blood, I will set My Face against the person who partakes of the blood,  (Note: That means in any way whatsoever.)  and I will cut him off from among his kin.  For the life of the flesh is the blood." (17:3-16; Deuteronomy 12:23-25) While the law about blood had health aspects, much more was involved.  Blood has a symbolic meaning. It stood for life provide 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. 

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

Contrary to how some today reason, God's Law on blood was not to be ignored just because an emergency arose.  During a wartime crisis, some Israelite soldiers killed animals and "fell to eating along with the blood."  In view of the emergency, was it permissible to sustain their lives with blood?  No.  Their commander pointed our 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 be ignored in an emergency.  (Note: That includes giving blood, and blood transfusions.) 

Next time: Blood-Vital for Life - BLOOD AND TRUE CHRISTIANS

From the jw. org publications