Leviticus 17

Chapter 17 is a warning against idolatry. God decides where, when, and how offerings should be made. The pagans had multiple altars and multiple places for sacrifices. God had one, and the offerings were to be overseen by the priests. To offer somewhere else is to disobey God. To offer blood somewhere else or in some other way is blasphemous. The blood of a sacrifice is sacred because it represents the life of the worshiper. It is not to be used indiscriminately.

There is a similar warning in the New Testament to be careful how we worship. The background could be that of going to a guild meeting where they have a feast in the name of another god.

1 Corinthians 10:19-22 (NLT) “What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?”

Thought for the day: Paul warns us to be careful with our relationships. We could be committing blaspheme without even realizing it!

1 Corinthians 6:14-18 (WEB) “Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from amongst them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”