Leviticus 26

CHAPTER 26

Reward for Obedience (26:1–13)

1 The Lord begins this section by restating the second of the Ten Commandments: “Do not make idols.” He also forbids making an image or a sacred stone or a carved stone. These were all used as objects of worship by the Canaanites. God does not forbid the making of ordinary statues or memorials; what He forbids is making anything that represents a false god to be worshiped (see Exodus 20:4–6 and comment).

2 Observe my Sabbaths. Observing God’s Sabbaths was one of the things that set the Israelites apart as God’s covenant people (see Exodus 20:8–11; 31:12–17 and comments). This command would include the observance of the sabbath year and the jubilee year described in the previous chapter.

. . . have reverence for my sanctuary (tabernacle). Why was this so important to God? Because the tabernacle was God’s symbolic dwelling place among His people. Not to have reverence for God’s dwelling place was the same as not having reverence for God (see Exodus 25:1 and comment).

3 If you follow my decrees and . . . obey my commands. . . All rewards and blessings are contingent upon our obedience; it was true of the Israelites, and it is also true of Christians today (see Exodus 19:5–6 and comment).

In the next ten verses, God outlines various “rewards” or blessings that the Israelites would enjoy as long as they continued to obey Him. It was not a question of the Israelites “earning” these blessings by their good behavior: the blessings had already been promised by God as His part of the covenant agreement with Israel. Indeed,the Israelites couldn’t earn anything from God. God’s blessings are not something we humans can manipulate or control; they flow purely from God’s grace. However, the Israelites could do something that would forfeit their enjoyment of the blessings—and that “something” was to disobey God’s commands. Disobedience deprives us of the blessings God has already prepared for us and wants to give us.

That is why the section on punishment for disobedience (verses 14–39) is so much larger than the blessing section (verses 313); God wanted to make sure the Israelites were fully warned about the consequences that would result if they disobeyed His commands.

Most of the “rewards” (blessings) listed in verses 4–13 are material, earthly blessings. It is a general truth that if people—either individually or collectively—obey God, they will enjoy a safe and happy life. This was certainly God’s expectation for Israel as a nation. For Christians today, it is more complicated. We are not part of one geopolitical nation. Furthermore, Jesus has called us to a life of self denial and sacrifice. What Jesus promises us, above all, are spiritual and eternal blessings, not temporary physical blessings; and these spiritual blessings have already been given to us in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Yes, it is true that godly people will avoid much of the earthly sorrow that comes upon the ungodly because of sin. But Christians cannot escape all sorrow in this fallen world; they must be ready to “bear their crosses” as they follow Jesus (Mark 8:34). Instead of looking for blessings, let Christians keep their eyes on Jesus; the blessings will take care of themselves⁹⁸ (see Exodus 15:25—27 and comment).

A list of blessings similar to those found in verses 4—13 is also recorded in Deuteronomy 28:1—14. In Deuteronomy 28:9–10, the Lord says to the Israelites, “If you obey me, then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.” Recall that God chose Israel not just to receive blessings but to show the peoples of the world how they could be blessed as well (Genesis 12:2–3).

4–13 Among the material blessings listed in these verses, there is one great spiritual blessing that far outweighs the rest: the presence and fellowship of God Himself. “I will keep my covenant⁹⁹ with you” (verse 9). “I will put my dwelling place (tabernacle) among you, and . . . I will walk¹⁰⁰ among you and be your God” (verses 11–12). God not only wanted the Israelites to enjoy His good earth; He also wanted them to enjoy Him. Fellowship with God is the highest blessing humans can experience; it was true for the Israelites, and it is true for us today.

Punishment for Disobedience (26:14–46)

14–39 The punishments described in these verses are all natural or man-inflicted catastrophes that were commonly experienced in the ancient world. God used these events as a means of punishing the Israelites for violating and breaking His covenant (verses 15,25), the covenant He had made with their forefathers and then reconfirmed at Mount Sinai. If they broke God’s covenant they would not only forfeit the covenant blessings He had promised them but they would also incur His wrath and judgment.

The modern reader of these verses may wonder how God could even consider bringing such disasters on His own chosen people. The answer is that God wanted to deter His people from disobeying Him. Just as the rewards of verses 3–13 were designed to encourage obedience, so the punishments of verses 14–39 were designed to discourage disobedience. To punish someone is not a sign of cruelty; it is a sign of love (Proverbs 3:11–12; Hebrews 12:5–6). Through punishment, God sought to draw His people back to Himself so that once again they could receive His blessings.

The punishments demonstrated God’s love. They also demonstrated God’s holiness and His anger against sin. In addition, the punishments demonstrated God’s faithfulness: God had said He would punish the Israelites if they sinned; He also said He would restore them if they confessed their sin (verses 40–42). God is always faithful to His word. But the responsibility for our behavior rests with us: if we refuse to be reformed by God’s punishments, then we can expect to be destroyed by them.

A similar and even more detailed list of punishments is found in Deuteronomy 28:15–68; there they are called “curses.” Later in Israel’s history, all of these punishments, or curses, would eventually be inflicted on the rebellious and disobedient Israelites.

In verse 29, God says that the Israelites will resort to cannibalism; they will even eat the flesh of their own sons and daughters! According to Deuteronomy 28:51–57, this would come about during the siege of Israelite cities, when the inhabitants became desperate from hunger. The Lord would allow foreign invaders to come into Canaan and scatter the Israelites (verse 33); those Israelites who were not destroyed would go into exile (verse 39)—as indeed happened.

In the end, all of these punishments and curses came to pass. God knew in advance that His people would bring these curses on themselves; thus this whole section serves as a PROPHECY of future events.¹⁰¹

What are we modern readers to make of these terrible punishments,curses,that God warns will come upon those who disobey Him? They should serve as warnings for us too. The specific punishments will be different, of course, but what we must learn from this chapter is that no one can sin and get away with it; punishment will come—usually in this life—but, if not, certainly in the next. Modern people pursue pleasures; they want them now. But they don’t think of the future, the consequences. This chapter reminds us to think of the consequences of our actions.

40–45 Even in the midst of terrible punishment the Israelites can have hope. God’s heart is always tender; He always holds out the offer of forgiveness and restoration. Concerning even the most rebellious people He says, “. . . if they will confess their sins . . . I will remember my covenant with them” (verses 40,42). God always responds to sincere confession, and He “remembers” (see Exodus 2:23–25 and comment). Confession is the key to God’s forgiveness (see Leviticus 5:5–6 and comment).

For our confession to be sincere, our uncircumcised hearts¹⁰² must be humbled (verse 41). Before we can turn to God in repentance, our hard hearts must be softened. God’s main purpose in punishing us is to soften and humble our hearts so that we will turn to Him and confess our sin.

In verse 42, God promises to remember His covenant with ABRAHAM, Isaac and Jacob.¹⁰³ Even if most Israelites did not confess their sin, God would still not . . . destroy them completely (verse 44); God would spare a remnant of Israel (Isaiah 10:20–21; Romans 11:4–5). God would not allow Israel to be destroyed completely because Israel was God’s means, God’s instrument, to bless and to save the world—through one Israelite, Jesus Christ.

46 This verse is a summary statement regarding all the laws given by God at Mount Sinai—that is, all the laws recorded in the books of Exodus and Leviticus and the first nine chapters of Numbers. These laws were to be obeyed by the Israelites as their part of the covenant God had made with them. Because these laws were transmitted to the people by Moses, they are known collectively as the Law of Moses, or the Mosaic Law (see General Article: The Purpose of the Mosaic Law).