The Blessing of Obedience and the Curse of Disobedience
The Blessing of Obedience and the Curse of Disobedience.
Leviticus 26
"If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments so as to cry them out, then I shall give you rains in their seasons…But if you do not obey Me and do not carry out all these commandments…I will appoint over you a sudden terror." (26:3-4,14-16).
The narrative of the Bible is a history of God's redemptive plan unfolding in people's lives. The Bible is not just a series of stories (such as Aesop's fables) designed to convey spiritual lessons. The Bible is a continuous story of God's plan for humanity to be a holy people set apart for him. The most remarkable event in history is not God's speaking creation into existence, but God choosing the most unlikely part of his creative work to reflect his image and to have a personal and unique relationship with him. In the creation of humanity, God chose to give an invitation to humanity that was not given to any other creature-the invitation to be in a personal relationship with God. This gift was unparalleled in its scope and unequaled in its privilege.
But fellowship also brings responsibility. To enjoy God's blessings, we must walk in obedience to him and disregard the sin we embraced. To be given the privilege of possessing his image also brings with it the threat of punishment if we distort that image.
In Leviticus 26, God provides Israel with both the hope of forgiveness and the dangers of disobedience. The blessing and cursing given in this chapter are grounded in the Mosaic law, which was patterned after the ancient Near Eastern treaty covenants. After setting forth the obligations and blessings of obedience to the law, a warning was given of disobedience. God is holy and perfect, and he requires obedience. Not that our obedience is the basis of salvation, for salvation comes by grace, not by our effort. However, genuine faith is expressed through obedience to God. If we surrender to Christ, we will enjoy the full blessings he offers us in Christ. If we disobey him, we will not lose our salvation, but we will no longer enjoy the blessings he desires to give us. Instead, we face the cursing of his judgment. God promises security; sin brings fear. God promises peace; sin brings hostility.
While we embrace the grace of God, we struggle to accept his justice. We sing of his grace and willingness to forgive and cleanse the most defiled sinner, but we often neglect to worship and praise him for his justice, bringing judgment upon those who reject him. In today's world, we want to do as we please without any consequences. However, God brings judgment when sin runs rampant. In our culture today, we see the presence of fear (the fear of pandemics, global catastrophe, authority, etc.). We know the reality of pandemics and illness. We see hostility and conflict. We see cities being boarded up because of rioting. All these are indicators of God's judgment upon disobedience. The problems confronting our nation today are not political; they are spiritual. Yet, we keep trying to solve spiritual problems with political solutions. The answer does not lie in electing the right political party. Because the issues are spiritual, the solution is spiritual; for our nation to enjoy the blessings of God, we need to refocus upon him and his word. However, this refocusing starts with each individual. Instead of looking at others, we must look at ourselves. The question we must wrestle with is not national but personal. We must ask ourselves, "Am I reflecting his holiness and walking in obedience to his word?" The answer is found in each of us turning our hearts back to God and living in obedience to his word.
Leviticus 26
"If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments so as to cry them out, then I shall give you rains in their seasons…But if you do not obey Me and do not carry out all these commandments…I will appoint over you a sudden terror." (26:3-4,14-16).
The narrative of the Bible is a history of God's redemptive plan unfolding in people's lives. The Bible is not just a series of stories (such as Aesop's fables) designed to convey spiritual lessons. The Bible is a continuous story of God's plan for humanity to be a holy people set apart for him. The most remarkable event in history is not God's speaking creation into existence, but God choosing the most unlikely part of his creative work to reflect his image and to have a personal and unique relationship with him. In the creation of humanity, God chose to give an invitation to humanity that was not given to any other creature-the invitation to be in a personal relationship with God. This gift was unparalleled in its scope and unequaled in its privilege.
But fellowship also brings responsibility. To enjoy God's blessings, we must walk in obedience to him and disregard the sin we embraced. To be given the privilege of possessing his image also brings with it the threat of punishment if we distort that image.
In Leviticus 26, God provides Israel with both the hope of forgiveness and the dangers of disobedience. The blessing and cursing given in this chapter are grounded in the Mosaic law, which was patterned after the ancient Near Eastern treaty covenants. After setting forth the obligations and blessings of obedience to the law, a warning was given of disobedience. God is holy and perfect, and he requires obedience. Not that our obedience is the basis of salvation, for salvation comes by grace, not by our effort. However, genuine faith is expressed through obedience to God. If we surrender to Christ, we will enjoy the full blessings he offers us in Christ. If we disobey him, we will not lose our salvation, but we will no longer enjoy the blessings he desires to give us. Instead, we face the cursing of his judgment. God promises security; sin brings fear. God promises peace; sin brings hostility.
While we embrace the grace of God, we struggle to accept his justice. We sing of his grace and willingness to forgive and cleanse the most defiled sinner, but we often neglect to worship and praise him for his justice, bringing judgment upon those who reject him. In today's world, we want to do as we please without any consequences. However, God brings judgment when sin runs rampant. In our culture today, we see the presence of fear (the fear of pandemics, global catastrophe, authority, etc.). We know the reality of pandemics and illness. We see hostility and conflict. We see cities being boarded up because of rioting. All these are indicators of God's judgment upon disobedience. The problems confronting our nation today are not political; they are spiritual. Yet, we keep trying to solve spiritual problems with political solutions. The answer does not lie in electing the right political party. Because the issues are spiritual, the solution is spiritual; for our nation to enjoy the blessings of God, we need to refocus upon him and his word. However, this refocusing starts with each individual. Instead of looking at others, we must look at ourselves. The question we must wrestle with is not national but personal. We must ask ourselves, "Am I reflecting his holiness and walking in obedience to his word?" The answer is found in each of us turning our hearts back to God and living in obedience to his word.
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