Sunday School Lesson 15
Life And Covenant In The Blood
MEMORY VERSE: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” – Leviticus 17:11
BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 24:4-8 KJV
INTRODUCTION: Biologically, blood is that vital liquid flowing in the bodies of many types of animals that usually conveys nutrients and oxygen. In vertebrates, it is coloured red by haemoglobin, conveyed by arteries and veins, pumped by the heart and usually generated in the bone marrow. Biblically, blood is used in the Old Testament to designate the life principle in animal (Lev.17:11a). In the New Testament, it is commonly used in relation to the atoning blood of Christ. Without the blood, life ceases to exist in the body physically. There is also a link between the cleansing power of the blood physically and spiritually. This is why it is important to understand the basic principles underlying blood covenant.
LESSON OUTLINES
- Biblical Evidences That Life Is In The Blood
- Meaning And Biblical Instances Of Blood Covenant
- BIBLICAL EVIDENCES THAT LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD
The proof that the life of an animal (including humans) is in the blood can be found in the fact that the voice of Abel’s blood cried out from the ground (Genesis 4:10; Hebrews 12:24). It is also unlawful to eat flesh with the blood (Genesis 9:4). The shedding of man’s blood amounts to
destroying God’s creation and image (Genesis 9:6; Psalm 106:38). It is the blood that activates the body to praise God (Psalm 30:9). More importantly, the blood of Jesus redeems and gives eternal life (John 6:53; Ephesians 1:7). The blood is a witness to the fact that God sacrificed His
Son (Jesus Christ) to save the world (1John 5:7-9). That shed blood has the power to purge us from all sins (Hebrews 9:22; 1John 1:7)
- MEANING AND BIBLICAL INSTANCES OF BLOOD COVENANT
Generally, a covenant is a contract or agreement between two or more parties. It is a solemn promise made binding by an oath which may be either verbal or symbolic. Biblically, the Hebrew word ‘beriyth’ translated covenant means “to cut” which literally has the idea of a blood covenant (1Samuel 18:3; Hebrews 9:18). The divine covenants were ratified by the sacrifice of a victim to show that without atonement there could be no communication of blessings and salvation from God to man (Genesis 15:1-8; Exodus 24:6-8). In some parts of the world and most of the times, a blood covenant is the strongest type of covenant two people could enter into. In fact, every spiritual covenant is sealed with the blood (Hebrews 9:18).
Blood covenant existed in diverse forms of relationships in the days of the Bible. Such instances
existed between man and idols (1Kings 18:26-28); man and man (1Samuel 18:3); man and God
(Exodus 12:13; 24:8).
CONCLUSION: The blood covenant is the strongest form of covenant. There is an existing blood
covenant between God the father and Jesus Christ which every believer benefits from.
QUESTIONS:
- Describe the term blood biologically and biblically.
- Mention five facts that establish blood covenant as a biblical principle.
FURTHER READING:
MONDAY: Genesis 9:4-10;
TUESDAY: Psalm 106:38;
WEDNESDAY: 1 John 5:7-9;
THURSDAY: Genesis 15:1-8;
FRIDAY: 1Kings18:26-28;
SATURDAY: Exodus.24:4-8;
SUNDAY: Exodus12:13.