Just before we examine Leviticus chapter 26 in more detail, I want to show you how the Holy Spirit “wraps” this Portion of Scripture (all 46 verses) in an “envelope” of Material (chapter 25 and chapter 27) concerning Redemption!
The layout looks like this …
Leviticus 25 … Redemption!
Leviticus 26 … Obedience resulting in Blessings!
Leviticus 27 … Redemption!
This writing technique is called “inclusio.” The Bible Theme of “Redemption” here “sandwiches” the responsibility of the redeemed of God … specifically to OBEY HIM in every area of life!
If He has “saved” you … then “obey” him!
So today we are going to study the “blessings” outlined in Leviticus 26:1-12. They are orderly arranged.
First, blessings concerning crops … “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; THEN I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full …”
Wow, this is clearly “cause and effect!” If you OBEY … THEN I will BLESS, thus says the Lord! Abundance in the field!
Next God promises “peace” from war, conflict! “And (thou shalt) dwell in your land safely. And I will give PEACE in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase your ENEMIES, and they shall fall before you by the SWORD. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.”
Remember Proverbs 16:7 … “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Here it is illustrated to the full!
Then next … God (to an obedient nation) pledges “to honor” Israel! “For I will have RESPECTRESENCE (literally in Hebrew, ‘turn My face’ in your direction, ‘smile’ upon you) unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.” This is Grace, the Favor of God resting upon a people!
And lastly, God’s very PRESENCE is promised! As back in the Garden of Eden, prior to the fall of man! “And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I WILL WALK AMONG YOU, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.” Sounds like God is pleased when we obey Him, ultra pleased!
Yet, even with all this divine “incentive,” Israel often (far too often) disobeyed and reaped God’s chastening Hand … rather than His positive Blessings!
Much like us today, I’d say.
One more thought this morning. In the Old Testament God generally shared physical, material blessings. But … important for us all these days … in the New Testament He most often promises spiritual blessings!
As in Ephesians 2 where God has “quickened us together with Christ; and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Dr. Harry Ironside years ago called this “living in the heavenlies!” As I said, spiritual blessings!
Actually Ephesians 1:3 says it more clearly: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in heavenly places in Christ.”
Amen!
Not that God has not blessed us in many, many ways. But primarily and most supremely in this Age of Grace … spiritual blessings indeed!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
None of those Old Testament saints enjoyed the Holy Spirit to the degree and in the same permanent way we do today, a good example! We ae living after Pentecost, folks!
SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS INDEED!
.