Leviticus 26:3-4 “‘If you follow My decrees and are careful to obey My commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.’”
At first blush, this chapter seems to be saying, “Obey and be blessed by God. Disobey and be cursed by God.” And perhaps that was the way of it as God was reestablishing His sovereignty when He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. But Christians today know that even when walking in His will, life can still be full of hardship—hardship that is not a curse from the hand of God.
Leviticus 26:18-19 “‘If after all this you do not listen to Me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. I will break down your stubborn pride….’”
Further reading in Leviticus 26 reveals that God is specifically talking to the proud and unrepentant, those who see no problem with acting in a manner contrary to God’s will, those unwilling to see the error of their ways, unwilling to accept loving correction from God. That intentional resistance to His love and correction, I think, is what raises His ire in this chapter.
Leviticus 26:23-24 “‘If in spite of these things you do not accept My correction but continue to be hostile toward Me, I Myself will be hostile toward you….’”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your promises. You don’t promise us sunshine and roses always, Lord, but You promise to be with us, no matter the storm. You ask in return that we be humble of heart, open to Your guidance and loving correction. Lead us, Lord. Draw us closer. Amen.
Leviticus 26:45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt….
Have a blessed day
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.