Blessing promised for obedience

Leviticus 26:1–13
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

This chapter clearly promises blessing for obedience and chastisement for not keeping God’s law. This same message is essentially repeated by Moses forty years later in Deuteronomy 28. The statues and instructions God gave Israel in Leviticus 26 and 27 illustrate four responsibilities that every believer has toward the Lord. The first is obeying His commandments Lev. 26:1-13. Moses gives four good reasons why they should obey the Lord.

• 1. Because of who God is. (v. 1) - He reminded them by saying “I am the Lord your God.” When the Jews abandoned their worship of God and turned to worshiping idols or tried to worship both God and idols, the consequences were disastrous. As a result they broke the first two commandments.
• 2. Because of what God did. (vv. 2-3) - Even because of the weekly Sabbath the Jews were reminded that they were God’s special people. As they rested on the seventh day they could meditate on His goodness from the previous week and give thanks that He had strengthened them for another week
• 3. Because of where God dwells. - (v. 4) - “I will send rain to make your crops grow.” Israel (had the “glory cloud” hovering over the tabernacle) while the nations around them had man-made gods in their temples. Today our bodies are the sanctuary of God, and we must be careful us use them for God’s glory (I Cor. 6:15-20).
• 4. Because of what God promised. - Next He promised them peace and safety in their land (vv. 5-8). He promised to multiply their population (v. 9) and a fruitful harvest (v. 10). The greatest blessing promised was the presence of the Lord as all other blessings depended on it (vv. 11-13).

Application

Four good reasons are given by Moses as to why I should obey the Lord. When I lose the sense of the Lord’s presence and the privilege it is to serve Him I will begin to despise His Word and disobey His commandments.” Lord help me to be very sensitive to your presence moment by moment every day. I know that you have promised to be with me through the good times and the bad times.