The Blood Covenant

The importance of understanding the Blood Covenant is found in the fact that the basis of Christianity is rooted in a Blood Covenant. The Blood Covenant between God and Abraham is the foundation for the relationship of God to His chosen people. God chose Abraham and did an alliance, an agreement with him that involved shedding of blood.

In the Old Testament, God chose people. Old Testament Kings, Prophets and Priests where chosen by God to represent Him to the world. In the New Testament Christian people are the ones who choose God. Christians also represent Christ to a dying world. The blood of Jesus sealed this second type of Covenant.

In the New Testament God established the New Covenant. This time between God and those who choose to serve Him in Christ.

Galatians 3:26 "for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."

1. We are sons of God through faith (faith in the shedding of blood by Christ at Calvary)

2. We then need to be baptized (to sign our part of the covenant)

3. We are in a Covenant with God just like Abraham.

WHY BLOOD?

Blood is a substance whose vast mysteries and capabilities have yet to be fully explored. Modern day Doctors in the twenty-first century transfuse it, draw it, separate it, package it, store it, ship it, and sell it. Without blood humans and animals would have no way to circulate the necessary oxygen and proteins that their bodies need in order to survive and reproduce. Hemoglobin found in the red blood cells carries oxygen to the brain, which in turn uses that oxygen to allow it to control the entire body. A brain without oxygen is like a car without. Blood makes all of the functions in the body possible.

God gave very specific laws in the Old Testament about the blood. Blood is the agent that gives life to the flesh and it's considered sacred and precious by the Lord. In the Old Testament God established a very specific law concerning the blood. No one could eat blood or they should be cut off from fellowship.

Leviticus 17:10 "If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. 12 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

Moses wrote: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood." Because red blood cells carry oxygen (due to hemoglobin in the cells), life is made possible. Science knows today that human red blood cells carry approximately 270,000,000 molecules of hemoglobin per cell. If there were any less, there would not be enough residual oxygen to sustain life. Moses knew the secret of life 3,500 years before modern Science came to this conclusion. Blood is the "liquid of life".

BAD BLOOD

Bad Blood is an English phrase referring to enmity between two (or more) people or groups. This is a reference to the breaking of military covenants.

Not too long ago in the 19th century leeches were enjoying a golden age. Millions were raised for medical use as their fame as a cure-all ensued. The mid 1800s saw their constant use for local bloodletting. Druggists administered thousands of leeches to patients with anything from gumboils to facial discolouration. For over 4000 years, the leech has been a familiar remedy, with Greek and Roman physicians praising the application of this clever invertebrate. Leeches would extract blood from the patient and only in recent days this form of medicine was practically discontinued. The idea was to extract "bad blood" so that the body could regenerate. These "bloodsuckers" can be extremely efficient in restoring blood circulation. After medicine abandoned these methods just a few decades ago now there is new interest in leeches and some surgeons are starting to use them again in Hospitals. Old wisdom has some advantages...

When we reject God there is "bad blood" between God and us. Yes he may help you and even protect you but He has not an obligation to do so. God is love and He is merciful. However, when you decide to follow Christ and enter in a blood covenant with God there is a powerful promise that you now become a child of God. You can become an heir of God's promises just like Abraham. You need to be baptized in water to seal your part or the deal and allow some "Spiritual leeches" to remove the "bad blood" of your sins so that you can be renewed in your way of life, healed and transformed by the Holy Spirit.