Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Chapter 26 is about the result of the Israelites’ actions as they walked forward. Would they obey or would they not. If they, then He or if they, then this. The IF/THEN statements were the paper this covenant (Mosaic) was written in – thank the Father we have a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6).

Keeping this in mind, it opens with another injunction not to worship idols or make them in any way (they list carved, moulded, set up, and engraved). Why? Because Yahweh IS their God (1st commandment). Through idol worship we become slaves to sin (covetousness is idolatry), to impurity, and to self-focus or selfishness. This DEPRIVES us of the freedoms we have when we walk in harmony with God in Messiah Jesus.

Next, the reminder they are to keep the Sabbath and respect the tabernacle. Sabbath keeping is the weekly rest by trusting that God will provide that helps keep their focus on His promises, His goodness, and His provision – while also providing a mental and physical rest. Jesus is the Sabbath Rest of the New Covenant. Our bodies are the tabernacle – to be kept holy (in harmony with God through and in Jesus) AND rested (stewardship care) so that we can walk and live in His freedoms (the Blessing – both physical and spiritual).

The order of obedience for the Israelites is given as statues (decrees) and then commands. If by God’s decrees you go and engage in intensive study of the Word (the Way we are to go) with the intention that this study will lead you to keep God’s commandments properly, and if you DO actually perform them, THEN you will inherit the Blessings. In other words, we follow the decrees with intent to study in order to learn how to apply the commandments to our lives. Trusting in God should ALWAYS produce the fruit of good actions (James 2:18).

The chapter is broken down into four sections. The Blessings of keeping God’s Laws (vs. 3-13). The prophesied effect of breaking God’s Laws (vs. 14-39). The prophesied confession of a lack of the Word by Israel – repenting of not following God’s Law (vs. 40-43). And finally, the prophesied future promise of the restoration of Israel (vs. 44-46). These Laws can SOUND restrictive (thou shalt not), but they are laws of love, health, and protection – like telling a child not to run into the street. God’s Law isn’t restrictive at all, when it is understood (Galatians 3:19). When they obeyed, they received Blessing. All of the Law can be summed up on how to love God and how to love our fellow humans.

God frees us from bondage to walk upright and free. But if we don’t walk in His Way under the covering of this protection, we end up out in the wilderness where Sin’s effects can get us – sin comes with a curse of death (Romans 6:23) quite separate from God’s corrective discipline. All of the Word is showing us how to be delivered from Self (Luke 9:23; Romans 8:13-14; Galatians 5:24) and stay connected to the Father – the Source of all Life.

The blessings and cursings line up. Fertile land (vs. 4-5, 10) and Unproductive land (vs. 16, 19-20, 26). Live in safety (vs. 5) and Live in foreign nations (vs. 33). Savage beasts removed (vs. 6) and Beasts devouring (vs. 22). Sword removed (vs. 6) and Sword avenging (vs. 25). Victory over enemies (vs. 7) and Defeated by enemies (vs. 17, 25). And finally God’s favour (vs. 9) and God’s disfavour (vs. 17).

If the Israelites wouldn’t obey and keep these commandments, God promised then punishment seven times over and He is so serious He repeats it four times so that they really get it (vs. 18, 21, 24, and 28). This is exactly what would happen if they refused to obey AND refused to repent. This is EXACTLY what happened. Judah was taken into 70 years of captivity, repented, and returned to the Land. Israel was taken into 390 years of captivity, didn’t repent, and did not return when it was over – continuing their exile for a LONG time.

“And I will put my dwelling place in your midst, and my inner self shall not abhor you. And I will walk about in your midst, and I shall be your God, and you shall be my people.” (Leviticus 26:11-12)

Chapter 27 is a chapter about the seriousness of vows. The proper way to make them. What to do if you made one in the passion of hearing the Law (the Torah, the Word) and then thought differently. What to do if you wanted to consecrate something to the Lord, but still use it (or couldn’t give the person for Tabernacle service, but couldn’t because they weren’t Levites – like a son). And finally what to do when you DEVOTED (different from consecration) something to the Lord and how it was holy – regardless of whether you had second thoughts – and could not be redeemed for personal use/gain, but would remain holy even if it was replaced with a penalty payment. It gets complex, but with careful reading (and some looking up of word meanings) is understandable.

For New Covenant believers (Jew or Gentile), this whole chapter can be summed up with two verses: “Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may approve what is the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). We are to be holy as He is holy, we are to take it seriously, and we are to dedicate ourselves to be His devoted and most holy thing. This is what we are called to and in Jesus, with the toolbox Holy Spirit provides, able to achieve it day by day as we move from Grace to Grace (John 1:16).

“These are the commands the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites” (Leviticus 27:34). Now… Would they choose the blessings or the curses? Would they choose to LIVE the Law?

Summary

Key Players: God, Moses

Key Themes: Blessing/Cursing, Vows

Key Verse(s): Leviticus 26:3-13; 27:30, 34