10'And any man from the house of Israel, or from the aliens who sojourn among them, who 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 to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.'
12"Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'No person among you may eat blood, nor may any alien who sojourns among you eat blood.'
13"So when any man from the sons of Israel, or from the aliens who sojourn among them, in hunting catches a beast or a bird which may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth.
14"For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, 'You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood; whoever eats it shall be cut off.'
15"When any person eats an animal which dies or is torn by beasts, whether he is a native or an alien, he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening; then he will become clean.
16"But if he does not wash them or bathe his body, then he shall bear his guilt."
Reflection:
During this time all the cattle killed by the Israelites, while in the wilderness, were to be presented before the door of the tabernacle, and the flesh to be returned to the one who offer, to be eaten as a peace-offering, according to the Law. When they entered Canaan, this only continued in respect of sacrifices. The spiritual sacrifices we are now to offer are not confined to any one place. We have now no temple or altar that sanctifies the gift; nor does the gospel unity rest only in one place, but in one heart, and the unity of the Spirit. Jesus Christ is now our Altar, and the true Tabernacle; in him God dwells among men. It is in him that our sacrifices are acceptable to God and in Him only.
During this time they must eat no blood. Nowadays this is not already applicable and no longer in force. The blood of the animals is no longer the ransom but is substituted by the blood of Jesus Christ. The blood is now allowed for the nourishment of our bodies; it is no longer appointed to make atonement for the soul. Now the blood of Christ makes atonement really and effectually; to that, therefore, we must have regard, and not consider it as a common thing, or treat it with indifference.
