Chapter 17 begins the last major section of Leviticus. This part is sometimes called the “Holiness Code.” It groups together, under the theme of holiness, a variety of elements which distinguish the people of Israel from the other groups of people around them.

The chapter is divided into three units based on content:

1.All Sacrifices Brought to the Tabernacle (17:2–9),

2.Eating of Blood Prohibited (17:10–14),

3.Carcasses and Contamination (17:15–16).

V2-9, The LORD was not forbidding the killing of animals. He forbids sacrificing animals away from the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Apparently, it was a common practice then to offer animals to the ‘goat-idol’. He called the people who did that as playing the harlot. Can you imagine using such words on us? Yes, anyone who worships God and also worships idols is a harlot. It does not matter whether the idol you worship is a goat idol, money, fame, or a pretty girl; you are a harlot when you worship anyone besides God. That is what holiness is about, God and God alone.

V10-14, The LORD forbids us to eat blood because blood represents lives. It is used strictly for the atonement of sins. Thus, we shall not take it lightly. Does this law still apply now? I do not think any rule applies to us anymore, as our Lord has died for us. However, do we respect God’s words and teaching? If we do, we should refrain from it, not because we are forbidden but because we choose not to do it. We respect lives like our God.

May the passage teach us to be holy and worship no others but God. Yes, we sometimes love and respect certain people or things very much. But such love must never exceed our respect for lives and righteousness. It shall also not become a distraction from our worship of God.

May the love of the Father be with you always!