Further Instructions Concerning The Fat And The Blood Of Offerings and Sacrifices (Leviticus 7:22-27).
Further emphasis is now placed on the fat and the blood of animals. As we have already seen the fat of sacrificial animals has to be offered on the altar to God, and the blood must be applied accordingly. But now we are reminded again that no fat or blood may be eaten, although certain fat may be used for other purposes. Had modern man observed these suggestions much heart disease and flabbiness might have been avoided.
‘And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,'
Once again we are reminded that this is divine revelation given through Moses..
‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying, You shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat. And the fat of that which dies of itself, and the fat of that which is torn of beasts, may be used for any other service; but you shall in no wise eat of it. For whoever eats the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, even the person who eats it shall be cut off from his people.'
No fat of any animal which could be offered as an offering or sacrifice is to be eaten. Where the animal dies naturally, or is torn by wild animals, the fat may be used for other purposes, but it may not be eaten. And to eat the fat of such animals incurs the death sentence, or at the best expulsion from the camp of Israel. This would certainly suggest that most of the fat is in mind, not just that round the vital parts.
‘And you shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of bird or of beast, in any of your dwellings. Whoever it be who eats any blood, that soul shall be cut off from his people.'
And the same applies to the blood of the animals. Indeed the blood of no animals or birds at all may be eaten. Again the penalty is death or permanent expulsion.
Religiously speaking the idea here was to prevent the partaking of the essential life of creatures. It counteracted the beliefs of certain of those with whom Israel came in contact who sought to do exactly that. It emphasised the uniqueness of man in God's eyes. When man sought power and life he should look to God for it, not seek to drain it from lower creatures. But hygienically speaking it also unquestionably saved Israel from many of the diseases that inflicted mankind. We do well to regard the hygienic advice especially when we go to countries where hygienic standards are not observed. It may be that to us nothing is ‘unclean'. But it can certainly be dangerous.