Leviticus 17 begins the second major section of the book, the Holiness Code. Whereas the first half of the book has dealt with the sacrificial system, the Holiness Code speaks to ritual as well as moral situations. The chapter begins with a clear prohibition against ritual sacrifices offered to other gods or outside the system that has been set up.
All slaughtering of animals outside the camp or absent of the Tent of Meeting, are forbidden. Such sacrifices must be brought to the Tent of Meeting and must be offered to God. To not do so is considered murder, which is a capital offense punishable by death. It is important to note that all animals that are slaughtered to eat, must also be seen as sacrifices to God and appropriate actions must be taken. This is partly to insure that only God is worshiped but also to remind Israel that all that they have is a blessing from God.
Chapter 17 also provided the prohibition against injesting any blood. Blood is seen as the life force of all animals, a life force over which God governs. This life force is set aside for God and God alone, therefore blood is offered to God in the sacrifices and the meat that is eaten must be drained of blood before eaten.
Chapter 18 begins with the clear proclamation that Israel shall not live as those around them; Israel is called to be different. If Israel, or aliens who reside with Israel, fail to follow this command then God shall issue judgment against them.
The first prohibition is in sexual relations, Israel is forbidden from following the Canaanite example of what we might term incestuous relationships. The second is that no one is to offer a child in sacrifice to Molech, possibly a god of the underworld.
An astute reader might note that Israel's forefathers entered into some of the sexual relations that were forbidden and that Abraham was asked to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. However, these transgressions were before the Sinai covenant which now governs the relationship between God and Israel.
Later kings of Israel are seen as those violating the prohibitions listed above. These violations lead to the eventual exile of Israel from the land.
Acts 10
This chapter begins a major transition in the life of the church. While Saul, soon to be Paul, will become the lead apostle to the Gentiles, it is Peter's ministry which actually opens the door to this work. Peter's visions and his interactions with Cornelius are the first acts which lead to the ministry to the Gentiles. This is further confirmation of Jesus' charge to the disciples to proclaim the Gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the Gentiles. Jesus' charge is coming true, further confirming his status as Messiah and Son of God.
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