Notes Critical and Practical, on the Book of Genesis. By George Bush [pp. 271-301]

Bush on Genesis.
finds its grand reason in the fact that it was the specific em blem of expiation. The article of death, evidenced by the
flowing life-blood, was the indispensable requisite for re mission. The special, solemn regard with which the blood,
even of beasts, was to be treated, eminently tended to impress
the mind with its sacred importance in the economy of
grace; and the scrupulous abstinence with which they were
to refrain from it as an item of food, would naturally add to
the reverence with which the Israelites looked forward
to the precious blood of the great sacrifice. The passage
in Levit. xvii. 11, furnishes an explanation. "For the life
of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon
the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the
blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
Here, as we conceive. it is not merely stated that " life goes
for life," but that blood is specifically emblematic of
expiation, pointing with sacred, reverential import, to the
"Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," whose blood
cleanseth from all sin; through which he should "make
peace," and men have redemption-Coloss i. 20; Ephes. i. 7.
Thus would the ritual worshippers be forcibly reminded not
to ascribe vital efficacy to their bleeding victims, but to look
forward to the Heavenly Lamb, whose blood alone was savingly efficacious. This language would convey the idea
that in some way, the blood was to be regarded as
vital; and yet, forbidden as they were, to appropriate
this part of their animal oblations, they would be pointed
elsewhere to that which should give life; and could not fail
to recognise the striking propriety of the whole upon reference to the sacred, life-giving blood of the atoning sacrifice; which should be spiritually administered to his people
by the New Testament, and of which they should drink to
the life and salvation of their souls. John vi. 53-56.
We cannot think the author happy in the turn which he
gives to the sentiment of the next verse. (5.) "And surely,
your blood of your lives will I require-at the hand of every
beast will I require it, and at the hand of man-at the hand
of every man's brother will I require the life of man." The
whole rests upon his version of the first clause, according to
which the remainder is modified, "And surely your blood
for your lives;" i. e." in return for the life-blood which you
have shed." This is plainly forced, and the violence which
it does to the drift of the paragraph, as well as to the original
phraseology, must decide against it.
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