One of biggest challenges for me as student of the Word is to know what from the Old Testament is applicable to me as a Believer under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ.
When I read passages like Leviticus 26:3-13 I want to shout, "Give me some of that. Sign me up for obedience." Who doesn't want peace in the land, the Lord to live among you, and to be your God? (Just to name a few of the benefits.)
The opposite of obedience is disobedience. The Lord, the same Lord who warmed our hearts with a desire to obey Him in 26:3-13 lays down some consequences that would make you as scared as a canary in a cage full of cats in verses 26:14-39. The most frightening came in verse 17 when the Lord says, "I will turn against you."
As I read through this horrifying collection of woes I saw the promise in verse 42, "I will remember..." Oh what precious words to hear. Then fast forward to verse 46:
Herein lies my dilemma: This verse tells us that the previous verses are direct evidence of the relationship between the Israelites and the Lord Himself. So what do we do? I went to the part of the Bible that directly reflects the relationship between my Savior, Jesus and me, the New Testament. And wouldn't you know there is a section of scripture that talks about both obedience and disobedience.
I can not say that our Holy, Just, and Perfect God would not lavish you with the benefits listed in Leviticus. I can not say that He would not render to you the consequences listed in Leviticus. I don't dare to attempt interpret what the Lord will or will not do.
What I can say is this: If we love Him, we will obey Him. The obedience builds a foundation on which we can stand and will never be shaken. I can speak from personal experience that the price of disobedience is sometimes quite costly. I can also speak from personal experience about obedience. When we obey Him we will be blessed beyond what we could ever think or imagine.
Now..give me some of that.
P.S. Check The Message and Luke 6:46-49. It will grab you. I love His Word!
The opposite of obedience is disobedience. The Lord, the same Lord who warmed our hearts with a desire to obey Him in 26:3-13 lays down some consequences that would make you as scared as a canary in a cage full of cats in verses 26:14-39. The most frightening came in verse 17 when the Lord says, "I will turn against you."
As I read through this horrifying collection of woes I saw the promise in verse 42, "I will remember..." Oh what precious words to hear. Then fast forward to verse 46:
"These are the decrees, regulations, and instructions that the LORD gave through Moses on Mount Sinai as evidence of the relationship between himself and the Israelites."
Herein lies my dilemma: This verse tells us that the previous verses are direct evidence of the relationship between the Israelites and the Lord Himself. So what do we do? I went to the part of the Bible that directly reflects the relationship between my Savior, Jesus and me, the New Testament. And wouldn't you know there is a section of scripture that talks about both obedience and disobedience.
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:46-49
I can not say that our Holy, Just, and Perfect God would not lavish you with the benefits listed in Leviticus. I can not say that He would not render to you the consequences listed in Leviticus. I don't dare to attempt interpret what the Lord will or will not do.
What I can say is this: If we love Him, we will obey Him. The obedience builds a foundation on which we can stand and will never be shaken. I can speak from personal experience that the price of disobedience is sometimes quite costly. I can also speak from personal experience about obedience. When we obey Him we will be blessed beyond what we could ever think or imagine.
Now..give me some of that.
P.S. Check The Message and Luke 6:46-49. It will grab you. I love His Word!
10 Comments:
Good Morning Wendy. Like you, when reading today's scriptures I couldn't help but focus on how good it would be when God's word/directions were followed. Yet, it was really bad when walking in disobedience. At the same time, I was drawn to the "Year of Jubilee". After hitting upon hard financial times, ones redemption came with the Year of Jubilee.
It was also heart warming to know that even with punishments for disobedience, the Lord did not completely disown them. vs. 44 stated...But despite all this, I will not utterly reject or despise them while they are in exile in the land of their enemies. I will not cancel my covenant with them by wiping themm out, for I am the Lord their God. For their sakes I will remember my ancient covenant with their ancestors...
There was always a path of redemption provided to those walking away from his statutes. There is always a road that leads home. He still remains steadfast; wanting us to come home.
I love that God always remembers and will never totally reject me because of my sin. How freeing!
Thanks for your comments Lutiemom.
Wendy,
I had the and have questioned that too, what applies to today with the new covenant. Today I noticed how many times God said "I AM the Lord you God", how when we obey He will look favorably upon us (26:9. I have to say I always cringe when I read that God says He'll depise me. Despise seems like such a harsh word. Yikes. Then several times He says He will "punish us seven times over" for our sins. As a child one spanking was enough - thank you. :) I did also see how in vs 44 " I willnot utterly reject or despise them" and vs 46 "the evidence of the relationship between himself and the Israelites."
If I haven't told you lately, I am enjoying the journey and thank you for hosting us.
Have a great day everyone!
Blessings from Oregon,
Lynn
Leviticus 26:41 and 43 both say, "at last they will pay for their sins". Well, "at last" finally came when our sweet Savior arrived and took our sins with Him. I love Him for this and want to obey Him everyday. You are exactly right Wendy. When I see obedience in my life, I also see the blessing. When I am disobedient, the consequences are evident too. I am thankful that God has allowed me to understand the connections of obedience/blessing; disobedience/consequence.
On a completely different subject I struggled with the slavery verses that allowed the Isrealites to have slaves and to treat them as slaves. This is an area of the Bible a lady once argued with me about and I really didn't have a good response as to why it was allowed. Anyone?
Morgen - MN
Thank you, Wendy for showing us the chapter in Luke regarding obedience verses disobeying. Truly, the Bible is the only reliable source of information that informs us how to gain the most out of life. Obedience to the Word of God is the key to obtaining His richest blessings and true satisfaction in life. Love-26:12~ "I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people."
I love the peace I have when I'm obeying God. I love how God pulls me back when I go astray too! I'll hear that little whisper, or I'll feel that certain tug...hmmm or maybe a scripture will come to mind. He's so good to us, it makes me want to obey Him all the more.
Luke 11:28-"Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it."
Help me Lord, to today follow your Word!
Love you gals,
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Wendy, I love reading about the external blessings of obedience. Who wouldn't want that? You said it right!
But, the burden of keepiing all those laws is overwhelming to me...what if I forgot and touched a beloved friend at death, what if I was medically unclean, what if, what if, what if...I think all of my family's animals would be offered and slaughtered as sacrifices...how could I keep up???
I love our Lamb so much more because of this! I love that I don't have to be perfect to receive every internal blessing of knowing Christ. I long to obey, try to obey, walk to obey and bear much fruit but in reading the law I feel a new love affair with grace.
Grace to you all today!!
Obeying definitely gives evidence of our love. And an obedience out of desire and not duty. Oh, to love the Lord with such passion that I would respond with first-time obedience to whatever He requires of me.
My focus was quite different today. I actually had three different thoughts catch my attention. Again I heard God's call not to "make idols" (Lev 26:1); I felt the cool refreshing of the "seasonal rains" (Lev.26:4); but I camped on the passages that spoke of fear and how God has broken "the yoke of slavery from your neck", Lev.26:13.
I am a fearful person. I know what it's like to "live in such fear that the sound of a leaf driven by the wind will send you fleeing", Lev.26:36 My heart holds onto promises like those found in Lev.26:6, "...you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear".
I no longer need to be held captive by fear, imprisoned in a self-imposed cell. Weakness and familiarity often hold me hostage. Too often I focus on what is instead of what can be. But, today again, He is holding out the keys for my release in nail-scarred hands. I hear the sound of shackles clanging to the ground.
Acts 16:26 "Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose."
As I read just yesterday, I long to be "fear-less and fancy free",
Joy
We do not serve a "tame" God--one we can comprehend or put in a box. I am so thankful for that--what if we understood all His ways? Would we respect a god that was at our own level?
So, at times I am awed, other times I am terrified and confused, but I rest in the way He redeemed us and the love that held Him on the cross 2000 years ago.
And the love that He has for me urges me on to a life of obedience. The more I focus on His sacrificing love, the more I want to obey.
Thanks girls, for getting me through these passages, that in the past, satan has used to persuade me to quit the "Bible in a Year" plan.
God bless!
We will not be defeated! Right Luanne?
I have but a few minutes to write, but I do want to take the time to say how much I appreciate your leadership, Wendy, and the comments of all walking this walk through the Bible in 2009. God has certainly connected us for a reason, and I give praise and thanks for that!
My nuggest of the day was Lev 28:8 ~ "five of you will chase a hundred and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand. All your enemies will fall beneath your sword."
That's some mighty multiplication! That speaks to my heart in terms of the power of prayer within the corporate body of worship. When we walk in obedience, work together and pray together we are blessed and equipped to do even more wonder-full and mighty acts. With our LORD, nothing is impossible!
Special prayers for us all this Ash Wednesday,
Liz
Alaska
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