Origins: The Beginning (Genesis 1–11)Sample

By Danny Saavedra

"But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man.” Genesis 9:4-5 (NKJV)

Blood is sacred because life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11). Therefore, our view of the value of blood being shed should be taken seriously. Why? Because it points to something bigger than the sacrifice or eating of animals. It points to the value of human life, particularly the One sent to save mankind. 

When Jesus came, He poured out His life for us on the cross. Isaiah prophesies concerning this, “Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12 NKJV, emphasis added).

Commands concerning blood served as a reminder that blood would be shed on our behalf; that there is great value in saving human lives, especially by the One who provides salvation to all. That is also why the command above is worded as strongly as the command in Genesis 2:17, which says, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (NKJV, emphasis added). There needs to be a deep understanding of the value of all life. 

We live in a culture where life is devalued, particularly in entertainment. We are drawn to the big screen where lives are tossed aside to bring in big money. Life loses its value and meaning. We can easily lose sight of the value of our Savior when we treat violence and death as entertainment. 

As we read these verses, let us be reminded of the great price that was paid by the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” Jesus Christ! (John 1:29 NKJV)

DIG: What does the Bible teach you about the value of life? Do you recognize the value in your own life?

DISCOVER: Where have you demonstrated that life truly has value? Do you see that we are all made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27)?

DO: Find the opportunity to share with someone the sacrifice that was made for them!