The value of the blood

Psalm 49:14-15 – The redeeming blood

1. Message for all peoples, all inhabitants of the world.

A word of wisdom- no time limit The words “wisdom” and “understanding” are both plural in Hebrew, denoting manifold wisdom and profound insight.

2. Wisdom

3. Sons of Korah

Numbers 16:31-35 provides the stunning repudiation by God of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram where we get the context for this Psalm.

Korah led a rebellion against Moses regarding his position of leadership therefore attacking God himself.

“Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up also!” And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.

All of the possessions of Korah fell into the pit never to be seen again.

1. This event more than likely set the stage for possibly the sons of Korah’s faith, but also their wisdom regarding the vanity of worldly riches.

The author is a teacher who teaches that there are limits to what wealth can do. There is little to determine the date of this psalm. It may come from the eighth century b.c. when great wealth and great poverty existed side by side. The misuse of the power of wealth in this period is condemned by Isaiah, Micah, and Amos in particular. This psalm consists of an introduction (vv. 1–4) and two stanzas consisting of eight verses, each concluding with a refrain. Thus: (1) the false confidence of the wealthy (vv. 5–12); and (2) the final condition of the wealthy.

1. Having everything this world offers and leaving with nothing

2. Having nothing this world offers and leaving with everything

- There is a story of a man who who was dying in his house where he had a huge safe with millions of dollars of worldy possessions. His butler invited a minister over to pray with him and to comfort him as he lay dying. When the minister went and saw his weakness and his sickness to hold the mans hand the rich man refused to give him his hand . Under the sheet he was holding the keys to that safe, holding tightly to the only possessions he had left. He must leave it behind – he left the world with nothing.

V 14- Like Sheep they are appointed for Sheol, Death shall be their Sheppard, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol with no place to dwell

The wicked are driven down to Sheol like a flock of sheep. Death (personified) is their shepherd. They shall perish in the night, and in the resurrection morning they shall find that the righteous have the rule over them. Their form or beauty will have been delivered up to Sheol, the abode of the dead, far from their exalted habitations.

v.15- But God will ransom my soul, from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.

Idolatry and wealth are powerless to avert death, but God will deliver his servant. Verses 7–8, however, may be referring to the ravishing effects of death, not to the fact that men must die. Taken in this way, vv. 7–8 do not preclude the reference here to the believer’s hope of victory over death.

He who has no hope after death is that person who knows no distinction between false and true riches, who reckons earthly and transitory wealth more precious than spiritual and eternal fellowship with God.

The blood redeems us and gives us victory over death.

Two extremes- one is death is a sheppard and the other is the Lord is my Sheppard.

What about the blood?

The idea that there’s some intrinsic and inherent power in the blood of Jesus is a popular concept in today’s Christian world. There is a piercing misunderstanding about the concept of the blood as it relates to atonement from a biblical perspective.

A preacher by the name of John Guest preached a sermon on the blood of Jesus. He asked his congregation to imagine Jesus going to the cross and piercing his finger so that a few drops of blood might hit the cross. Would that be enough to appease the wrath of God?

The point is that the substance of blood does not save us as if it was magical.

The significance in the blood when it pertains to the sacrificial system is that it represents LIFE. The old testament repeats over and over that the life of the flesh is in the blood.

When Israel sinned and the blood of the sacrifice was poured out and offered on the altar the sin was atoned for temporarily.

When Jesus Christ poured out his own blood on the altar of the cross our sin is atoned for absolutely and finally. His priesthood is eternal

Jesus has no need of a successor to perpetuate the sacrifice since he offered himself “once and for all”.

Heb 7:27- He has no need like high priests to offer sacrfiices daily, first for his own sins and then for the people but Christ offered himself once and for all he offered himself.

Heb 9:12- this was not the blood of goats and bulls but his own blood, securing our redemption.

Heb 10:10- we have the offering of the body of Jesus once and for all

Romans 6:10- For the death he died once to sin, once for all, but the life he lives to God.

This is a fundamental difference between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

Blood of Christ is not literally the blood or it becomes an idol to be worshiped.

Transubstantiation is idolatry- the idea that the elements are literally the body and the blood and after the mass they are locked up and venerated as idols.

Consubstantiation is the idea that the elements are coexisting half and half somehow, this view is taken up by the Lutherans

Finally we believe that there is spiritual significance to the elements but after the Eucharist is finished it is simply bread and wine.

“The world could exist more easily without the sun than without the mass.”

If we knew the value of the Mass we would die on the spot with joy”

For that is how it is on the altar- Christ is offering himself again and again and again for you.

How are we received-

V 15- But God will ransom my soul, from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.

1. "And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times” Leviticus 16:14

Such Christians are saying, in essence, "I know it's wonderful to be justified through the blood of Jesus Christ. But I still have trouble believing the Lord reckons me righteous. After all, I still haven't arrived. I still struggle."

2. The priest would carry into the Holy of Holies a handful of incense, a censer of burning coals of fire from the altar, and a container of blood from a slain ox. Within the Holy of Holies was an ark, on top of which sat a flat, golden top with a lip around it. This was the mercy seat, where God "sat"; it was His very presence. The mercy seat had two golden cherubim on either side, with wings spread over the seat.

After cleansing himself in an elaborate ceremony, the priest went inside the Holy of holies with great reverence and fear. He dropped the incense into the fire, causing an aroma and smoke to ascend. (This represented the prayers of Christ, interceding for His people. Jesus ever sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for the saints.)

Then the priest dipped his finger into the blood and sprinkled it seven times on the mercy seat

3. We are in a new covenant with Jesus Christ -- a covenant sealed by His own blood. And likewise today, when His precious blood is sprinkled on your soul, it is for purposes of communion. It is so that you can go boldly -- with ease, without fear of judgment -- into God's presence for communion. You are given access to Him, with no sin condemning you. You are free to talk to God and enjoy His company!

One of the most important sprinklings of blood was done by the high priest. Once each year he went into the Holy of Holies to make atonement, which means "reconcilation." This act was meant to wipe away the people's sins, so they could be reconciled and have communion again with the heavenly Father.

John Owen in the signifigance of shedding blood on the altar and sprinkling it on the people. The distribution of blood, half on the latar and half on the people one to make atonement and the other to purify tought the double efficiency of CHrists blood for justification and purity in our sanctification process. The animal blood was ineffectual and pointed to the need for effectual blood to to radify the new coevenat. Just as blood had to be shed to fulfill the old covenant Christ had to shed the blood to begin the new coevenant.

Without his death we do not have peace with God.

Justifies, Sancifies, Glorifies, Peace, hope 0 rescues us from idolatry and death

Atonement- Reconciliation between God and us by the blood or by the life of Jesus.

Propitiation- Jesus fulfilled the wrath and indignation of God by giving his blood, or his life. Sin demands a penalty and Christ paid it with his blood. Imputed Righteousness or substitutionary atonement.

Propitiation means the law seat has now become the mercy seat.

“Hilasterion” - that which propitiates – throne of grace- place of communion.

Hilasmos- atonement – completely satisfied

He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.”

Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.

Peace – not sheep to death

The truest evidence of faith is rest! If you believe with all your heart, it brings your conscience and soul into rest. And when you come to the Lord's supper and partake of the cup, you can say, "I believe I am saved, forgiven, healed, because I believe in the blood. I trust in it!"