[Glossary] Expiation and Sprinkling of Blood

1. (Clark 1993, 10):

"This procedure [of sprinkling blood] was designed to teach the people the nature of expiation. The oxen had been offered as a sacrifice to appease God and their blood was sprinkled on the altar. This indicates, as even the heathen tribes know, that a sacrifice first of all is designed not to cause a change of heart in man, for which change God then accepts the worshipper, but a sacrifice is primarily intended to cause a change of disposition in God. A sacrifice is supposed to act on God, not on man. God sets aside his wrath and becomes gracious. Then in the Mosaic ritual, after the blood had been sprinkled on the altar, the law was read and the people voluntarily accepted the covenant God had proposed; and finally the blood was sprinkled on the people to show that they had been forgiven, accepted, and included in the covenant."

"The New Testament naturally throws some light on Old Testament sprinkling. Hebrews 9:13, 19, 21 with the context teach that the sprinklings of blood sanctified the patterns of heavenly things, but in reality true sanctification is accomplished by the blood of Jesus Christ. In the following chapter (Hebrews 10:22) there is a reference to purification from evil by sprinkling and washing (compare Hebrews 12:24)."

"In view of this background, the Jews whom Peter was writing would instantly understand that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, that the sacrifice on the cross satisfied the just demands of the righteous God; and that cleansing and obedience were purposes of election."

A sacrifice is primarily intended to cause a change of disposition in God.

True sanctification is accomplished by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Cleansing and obedience were purposes of election.


Reference:

Clark, Gordon H. 1993. New Heavens, New Earth: A Commentary on First and Second Peter. Jefferson, Maryland: The Trinity Foundation.

End.