Blood Covenant.1446

                                                BLOOD COVENANT

                                                                      Ref. 1446

BIBLE READINGS: Matthew 26:20‑29, Jeremiah 31:31‑34

INTRODUCTION:

In various cultures (James Fraser ‑ Golden Bough)

1. TO ENTER INTO COVENANT IS TO GIVE UP ALL RIGHTS TO SELF.

a.   First step ‑ remove top garment (Coat). Coat or uniform stands for who you are. e.g. Joseph's coat. Paul speaks of putting of "Old man". The two parties exchange garments. Our covering of sin for God's robe of righteousness.

b.   Girdle (Belt) Symbolises strength. Sword hung on the belt. If you are attacked my strength will be available to you (protection).

c.   Animal divided ‑ Cut in two along the backbone, including the head. Two walls of blood. Both parties walk in a figure 8, between the pieces. By this walk through death, two things are understood:

i.     I am dying to self, to all rights that I ever had. I now share my life with another person.

ii.   The Jews say: "The Lord do to me also, and more if...." It was an almost, unbreakable covenant. We die to the past and come alive in a new relationship. Remaining true unto death.

d.  Flesh cut ‑ Wrists or palms cut and put together (Zulus). Today the hand‑shake is a left over of that ancient ceremony. In court we put a hand up and sware to "tell the truth ...." The Hebrew method was to cut wrists, and let the blood (life) flow together. The Zulu's put ash in the scar to show it up.

i.     The scar was a reminder ‑ what happens to you, happens to me. If I get into debt, you pay. If I come into money you share.

ii.   The scar was a comfort ‑ It shows that we are not alone. All I have is his, all he has is mine. The list of assets and liabilities is read before witnesses.

   e. Name changed ‑ (...) (...) as in marriage. Jeremiah 23:6 and Jeremiah 33:16

f.    Memorial ‑ Animate or in‑animate object chosen as a witness. Hindu's chose fire as a witness to marriage. Jacob and Laban, a stone (Mitzpah). Abraham and Abimeleck exchanged a flock of sheep. Sometimes tree were planted. Friendship Stone - Rev. 2:17 (White Stone).

g.   Meal ‑ Memorial meal. A loaf of bread was broken. each took a piece of bread and put it into the mouth of the other. Representing the person. A part of me becomes a part of you. Roman marriage ‑ a small cake with a drop of blood from a pricked finger is exchanged ‑ meaning, a part of me has entered you.

h.   Then a cup of wine ‑ representing blood, is shared ‑ my blood enters you and we become one. END OF BLOOD COVENANT CEREMONY. But from this time on ALL Children BORN or UNBORN (descendants) are now in covenant.