Originally posted on October 4, 2023 @ 10:00 am
Growing up in the south-western part of Nigeria, I heard so many things about blood covenants. As a little girl, I watched many movies about blood covenants, their effects and repercussions. Blood covenants are usually taken in desperation or blinded by love, and as such, some of these covenants may fail in the long run and have dire consequences. Now that I am born again, I have learned the true meaning of blood covenants and their significance.
In this article, we will dive into the concept of blood covenants in the Bible, examples of blood covenants in the Bible, the blood of Jesus as a blood covenant and other things about blood covenants in the Bible. Let’s start by understanding the meaning of the blood covenant.
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18 That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. 19 For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats,[i] along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. 20 Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.”[j]21 And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. 22 In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:18-22 NLT
In this article
What is the meaning of blood covenant?
In this section, we will explore the meaning of blood covenant according to the scriptures, but before that, we will dive into the meaning of covenant and blood.
What is a covenant?
A covenant is an agreement between two or more people. It is usually mutual consent to do something or uphold a decision. Covenants are taken to signify a strong guarantee to abide by a decision in order to put the minds of all parties at rest.
What is a blood?
According to One Blood, “Blood circulates through our body and delivers essential substances like oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells. It also transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. There is no substitute for blood. It cannot be made or manufactured.”
Biblical meaning of blood covenant
The word “covenant” in the Bible is generated from the Hebrew word “beriyth”, which means “cut”. It suggests that there is blood involved with making covenants in the Bible.
“A blood covenant is a promise made by God that He will choose a people for Himself and bless them.”
Got Questions
Blood covenants in the Bible are agreements made between two parties that involve a symbolic use of blood or exchange of blood. There are examples of blood covenants in the Bible, which means that the concept of blood covenant is not an imagination.
Examples of blood covenant in the Bible
As I mentioned earlier, blood covenants are portrayed in the Bible, and some examples of blood covenants in the Bible include:
1. Elijah and the prophet of Baal (1 Kings 18:26-28)
Elijah challenged the prophet of Baal to call on their God to send down fire upon the sacrifice. The prophets accepted the challenge, and they tried to call upon their God. They cried till evening, and in the process of calling out to Baal, they cut themselves with knives. The Bible emphasizes that it was their custom to cut themselves, which is a sign of covenant according to the scriptures.
2. God makes a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:9-18)
God told Abraham he had plans for him, and he would give him the land he had promised that he and his generation would possess. Abraham asked God how he would be sure God was going to fulfil his promise. God told him to bring some animals as a sacrifice, and he presented them upon the altar, cutting them.
God sent fire upon the sacrifice, and he made a covenant with Abraham to give his descendants the land he had promised him. A covenant that God fulfilled, and the descendants of Abraham inherited the land God promised them.
3. Covenant between David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-3)
This passage shows an example of a blood covenant made between men. Although the Bible did not specifically mention that they made a blood covenant, the covenant between David and Jonathan was likely a blood covenant.
4. The Last Supper (Luke 22:20)
While the disciples ate the Passover meal with Jesus, he took a cup of wine and told the disciples that the wine signifies his blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice.
Dangers of Blood Covenant
Many people involve themselves in blood covenants without considering the dangers of such covenants. There are many dangers of blood covenants and unholy alliances, some of which include:
1. It opens doors to demonic affliction on an individual or generation.
2. It destroys the destiny of people.
3. It prevents the purpose of God from being fulfilled by an individual or generation.
4. Transference or sharing of generational curses.
5. Any mistake made by an individual that breaks the covenant can lead to death.
6. Open doors to oppression from the devil.
7. Constantly living in fear
Is sex a blood Covenant?
15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
1 Corinthians 6:16-18 NLT
When God created man, he made sex as a way of cementing a union between a man and his wife. Sex is a form of blood covenant between a couple; it is the seal of the union. During the act, there is transference of body fluids between partners. A marriage is incomplete until it is consummated.
It is important to choose a partner prayerfully because the union binds both partners together.
Blood of Jesus as a covenant
11 So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come.[e] He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. 12 With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.
13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds[f] so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Hebrews 9:11-14 NLT
All the covenants in the Old Testament involve shedding the blood of animals or the blood of man (circumcision) for it to be complete, but the New Testament is founded upon the blood of Jesus, who is the son of God. That is a much better foundation for our redemption and salvation. The blood of Jesus is the blood of the covenant shed for us.
Jesus Christ went to Calvary to shed his blood for our own sake so that we might have the right to enter the presence of God like he first gave Adam and Eve access.
7 Benefits of the Blood of Jesus
The blood of the new covenant which is the blood of Jesus is significant for us Christians. Here are seven benefits of the blood of Jesus.
- Forgiveness of sins Eph 1:7
- Salvation John 3:16
- Right to be called the son of God. 1 Cor 1:9
- Restoration Heb 9:15
- Freedom from generational curses Gal 3:13
- Acceptance to enjoy the generational blessings of Abraham Gal 3:14
- Good health and prosperity Isaiah 53:5
How to Break a Blood Covenant
An unholy blood covenant is a shackle that ties people down and prevents them from reaching their full potential or, worse, miss heaven. If you want to break unholy blood covenants, here are some things you can do.
- Complete repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14): No one can break an unholy covenant without genuine repentance. Repentance is very vital. Repent completely, and be sorry for entering into an unholy alliance.
- Salvation (John 1:12-14) : it is important to be genuinely saved for you to break the unholy blood covenant. Call on God to accept you and take you into his kingdom.
You can say this Prayer: Father Lord, I thank you for the death of Jesus on Calvary, who died for my sin. I acknowledge you today as God, and I accept the Lord Jesus as my one and only saviour. I declare that Jesus is the one who died for my sins and rose so that I may have a new life. Please come into my life and make it yours. Amen
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- Prayer and fasting: Prayer and fasting is a way for you to access God. Fasting helps to keep your body in check while you access God and ask for his intervention. While praying and fasting, confess the word of God with the new authority that you have in Christ.
Prayer to Break The Unholy Blood Covenant
Father Lord, thank you for your love for me. I am grateful you redeemed me from the kingdom of darkness, and you have brought me to enjoy your marvellous light. I am grateful that you opened my eyes and allowed me to see I was on the path of destruction.
I ask that you will have mercy on me and save my soul from destruction. Lord, I pray your mercy will rescue me and guide me along the path of life.
Father, you have promised in your word that even the captive of the mighty hall be delivered. I confess that I am delivered in Jesus Name. I refuse to be bound. Every mighty man that has held me captive, I break free today. Even if I deserve to be bound, God has promised to free me when I acknowledge him. Today, I acknowledge Christ, and I renounce the devil.
I declare I am free
I am restored
I am healed
I will not be in shackles any longer
I will not be in bondage any longer
I am a new creature in Christ
I receive the blessings of Abraham
I receive all that God has promised me
I will fulfil my destiny
Amen
You can also use these bible verses to pray
“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalm 91:3-4 NIV
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.
Isaiah 54:17 NIV
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.”
James 4:7-8 NIV
You may want to check my post about breaking spiritual stronghold because ungodly blood covenant is a spiritual stronghold.
Is Holy Communion a blood covenant?
Holy Communion is a blood covenant. Taking the Holy Communion means we are partnering and sharing in the body and the blood of Jesus. That is why it is important not to take the Holy Communion when you are living in sin or not saved.
Final thoughts
In a world where people make all kinds of blood covenants to attain positions of power and wealth, Believers must always remember who we are in Christ. We have the highest form of blood covenant that supersedes every other. We have the blood of the covenant as our security and the seal for our lives; we must not trade it for anything less.