Deuteronomy 12:27

“And thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the Lord thy God: and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out upon the altar of the Lord thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh.”

Context: The book of Deuteronomy is a part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Torah. It consists of Moses’ speeches to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. In this verse, Moses is instructing the Israelites regarding the proper way to offer their burnt offerings and how they should handle the flesh and blood of the sacrifices.

Significance of Burnt Offerings: Burnt offerings were a significant part of Israelite worship in the Old Testament. They were voluntary offerings that symbolized complete devotion and surrender to God. The burnt offerings were entirely consumed on the altar, demonstrating the worshipper’s commitment to God and their desire for reconciliation with Him.

Offering the Flesh and Blood: According to Deuteronomy 12:27, the Israelites were to offer the flesh and blood of their burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord. This emphasizes the seriousness of the act and the recognition that life belongs to God. The blood of the sacrifices was particularly important as it symbolized the atonement for sin and the shedding of blood required for forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22).

Pouring Out the Blood: The verse mentions that the blood of the sacrifices should be poured out on the altar of the Lord. This pouring out of the blood was a symbolic act representing the offering of the lifeblood of the animal in place of the person presenting the sacrifice. The act of pouring out the blood signified the surrender and dedication of the worshipper to God and the acknowledgment of their sinfulness.

Eating the Flesh: The latter part of the verse states that the Israelites were allowed to eat the flesh of the sacrifices. This provision served as a means for the people to partake in the offerings, signifying communion with God. However, it was important that the consumption of the sacrifices took place within the prescribed boundaries and regulations set by God.

Overall, Deuteronomy 12:27 emphasizes the importance of offering burnt sacrifices to God, recognizing the significance of blood in atonement, and understanding the privilege of communion with God through the consumption of the sacrifices. It demonstrates the Israelites’ obedience to the divine instructions regarding worship and their commitment to honor and seek reconciliation with the Lord.

It’s important to note that as Christians, we no longer offer burnt sacrifices because Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins through His death on the cross (Hebrews 10:10). The Old Testament sacrificial system pointed towards the coming of Christ, who fulfilled the requirements of the Law and brought salvation to all who believe in Him.