IN THE first part of Leviticus the Lord spoke to Moses out of the tabernacle, and gave directions as to how He must be approached and worshiped by those whom He had redeemed unto Himself. In these last three chapters He speaks to Moses in mount Sinai, so that in chapter 26 it is more what God is in government, giving instructions as to many things that would be inconsistent in those who were worshipers of the one true God.
But first He tells them of the rich blessings He would pour upon them if they walked in obedience, for this is also part of His ways in government. Perhaps we are prone to think that God’s government is only against what is wrong, whereas He delights to bless one who seeks to walk in faithfulness to Him. We learn from Romans 2:6,76Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: (Romans 2:6‑7) that He “will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. Again, there is “glory, honor, and peace to every man that worketh good.” v. 10.
“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap... he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6: 7,8. So we are encouraged not to be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” v. 9. Our God takes notes of every desire to please Him and delights to reward every act done for Christ.
Israel were warned against making idols, for He reminds them, “I am the LORD your God.” They were to keep His sabbaths and to reverence His sanctuary. These three things would test the state of heart of His people, and this would tell us how much God is concerned about the state of our hearts before Himself. What a loss to our souls when we allow anything to come in be tween Him and ourselves, and what dishonor to Him who loves and redeemed us at all cost to Himself.
As Christians we do not keep the Sabbath, for we are not under law, but the manner in which we spend the Lord’s day tells of what place Christ has in our hearts. “And reverence My Sanctuary.” Do we value the unspeakable privilege of being in His presence, and do we seek to give expression to the precious truth and that divine order of things that belongs with such a place?
God promised Israel that if they walked in His ways that He would give them rain and fruitful seasons; they would eat “bread to the full,” and would dwell in their land safely. He would give them peace and no one should make them afraid. They should put their enemies to flight: “five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight.” What power they would wield! Such would be the abundance over their eating that they would have to clear away the “old store” to make way for the new harvest.
But best of all He told them, “I will set My tabernacle among you: and My soul shall not abhor you.” v. 11. The Apostle quotes this in 2 Corinthians 6: 16 to encourage Christians to come out from idolatry and to be separate from this unbelieving world. God loves to dwell among His people in holiness and truth.
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