Leviticus
26 opens in verses 1-2 by summarising the call that God had made in the Ten
Commandments. Obey them will result in blessings and failing to obey them will
end in a cursed life. There is only one God worthy of honor. To create an image
and venerate it would be putting that idol on par with Him. Hence, He
prohibits any and every form of idolatry. It is interesting to see God’s
insistence that His people keep the Sabbath diligently. Why? It’s because
Sabbath-keeping was a covenant God made with the people of Israel. Not only
were they expected to keep the Sabbath, but they were also expected to honor
the Sanctuary that speaks of His presence among them.
Being
obedient to the foundational truth set forth in verses 1-2, God promised them a
list of blessings in verses 3-13. Firstly, God promised to give them rain.
Being agricultural people, the rain was important as it would determine the
harvest they would reap. Secondly, they will experience peace of mind. Thirdly,
wild and savage beasts would be removed from their land. Fourthly, they would
experience victory against their enemies. Fifthly, they would
experience fruitfulness not only in their crops but also in their cattle.
Sixthly, they would experience God’s presence in their midst.
However,
if they chose to walk in disobedience, verses 14-39 list for them a series of
threats that they would experience. But God, being gracious told them that even
in the midst of the terror that would befall them, when they realized their
wrong and would repent and return to the Lord, He would reverse their curse.
But if they persist in their sins, the curses would come in
greater intensity. This tells us that God’s punishment has never been to
destroy His people but to help them to realize their wrong, repent and change
for the better. Verses 44-46 even promised them future
restoration. God would never forget His covenant and the promises He
had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All that His people needed to do
was to confess their sins and the sins of their forefathers.
Experiencing
a life of blessing is conditioned on obeying the Lord. When we walk in
obedience, God’s blessings will overtake us. Conversely, if we choose to be
wayward and not walk according to His instructions, negative experiences of
life will consume us. More than wanting to destroy us, God wants us to walk and
live aright. God only has good intentions to see that we are overtaken by His
blessings. The decision to stay blessed or not, rest in our
hands. Wisdom dictates that we choose what’s best. So, go for it!
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