Leviticus 17

“I will set My face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.” ‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why did God forbid the eating and drinking of blood?  One reason is that God was trying to keep Israel separate and distinct from the surrounding pagans who would eat blood as a spiritual practice.  But remember, God did not desire to separate Israel for Israel’s benefit alone (as if God only loved Israel), but rather to be a blessing to us all:  “and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me”  (Genesis 22:18).   Another reason is that God received animal sacrifices as a way of offering forgiveness for sins.  Since blood represents the life of the sacrificial animal, it needed to be given to God on the altar.  Don’t forget that these types of dietary restrictions are all part of the old covenant, which was replaced when Jesus died for our sins.  We now live in the freedom of Christ, as described by Paul in Romans 14:17: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”