Leviticus 26:1-13
I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. – Leviticus 26:11
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Leviticus 26–27 brings the book to a close by reminding God’s people how to continue living within His covenant. The chapter opens with strong instructions: “Do not make idols… Do not set up carved images or sacred stones,” followed by a call to “observe My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary.”
If Israel obeyed these commands, a beautiful picture of blessing would unfold:
Rain in season and abundant harvests (vv. 1–5)
Peace in the land and victory over enemies (vv. 6–8)
Fruitfulness and plenty (vv. 9–10)
Most of all, the joy of walking with God and belonging to Him (vv. 11–12)
These promises are amazing! Who wouldn’t want peace, abundance, protection and the promise of God’s presence? But a natural question might arise: Do these blessings depend on our efforts to obey God’s laws? Like a reward we receive for completing a list of tasks?
If that’s how we understand it, we’ve fallen into legalism. Legalism reduces faith to a set of cold rules, where if we do A, B, and C (e.g., observing the Sabbath and not having idols), then God must give us D, E, and F (e.g., abundance and peace). This makes God like a vending machine, dispensing blessings when we do good deeds for Him.
However, verse 13 shows us that the true foundation of these blessings is God’s saving grace.
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.”
God loved His people first. He graciously rescued them from slavery, gave them freedom, and made a covenant to be their God. The laws given by God were not a way to earn that relationship, but it was the expectations of being in such a relationship. Obedience was how they would continue walking in the blessings that God had intended for them as His covenant people.
When God says, “Do not worship idols,” it’s because idols (such as money, power, and desire) enslave and destroy people. When He says, “Keep the Sabbath,” it’s to remind them to centre their lives around their Creator. The ultimate goal of the commandments is not rule-keeping but relationship. “I will walk among you and be your God.” (verse 12) That is the greatest blessing of all. Only in Him do we find peace, protection, and security.
Reflection:
Is your worship and obedience to God driven by love for Him, or by a desire to gain something from Him in return? If you were faced with ongoing struggles like long-term illness, unemployment, or family trouble, would you be able to say, “God’s presence is my greatest satisfaction”?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me first and rescuing me from the bondage of sin. Forgive me for the times I treat our relationship like a transaction, thinking I can earn Your blessings through my good deeds. Help me to obey You out of gratitude, trusting that Your ways are best. In times of struggles, remind me of the greatest promise of all, that Your presence is with me always. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Click to read
Leviticus 26–27 brings the book to a close by reminding God’s people how to continue living within His covenant. The chapter opens with strong instructions: “Do not make idols… Do not set up carved images or sacred stones,” followed by a call to “observe My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary.”
If Israel obeyed these commands, a beautiful picture of blessing would unfold:
Rain in season and abundant harvests (vv. 1–5)
Peace in the land and victory over enemies (vv. 6–8)
Fruitfulness and plenty (vv. 9–10)
Most of all, the joy of walking with God and belonging to Him (vv. 11–12)
These promises are amazing! Who wouldn’t want peace, abundance, protection and the promise of God’s presence? But a natural question might arise: Do these blessings depend on our efforts to obey God’s laws? Like a reward we receive for completing a list of tasks?
If that’s how we understand it, we’ve fallen into legalism. Legalism reduces faith to a set of cold rules, where if we do A, B, and C (e.g., observing the Sabbath and not having idols), then God must give us D, E, and F (e.g., abundance and peace). This makes God like a vending machine, dispensing blessings when we do good deeds for Him.
However, verse 13 shows us that the true foundation of these blessings is God’s saving grace.
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.”
God loved His people first. He graciously rescued them from slavery, gave them freedom, and made a covenant to be their God. The laws given by God were not a way to earn that relationship, but it was the expectations of being in such a relationship. Obedience was how they would continue walking in the blessings that God had intended for them as His covenant people.
When God says, “Do not worship idols,” it’s because idols (such as money, power, and desire) enslave and destroy people. When He says, “Keep the Sabbath,” it’s to remind them to centre their lives around their Creator. The ultimate goal of the commandments is not rule-keeping but relationship. “I will walk among you and be your God.” (verse 12) That is the greatest blessing of all. Only in Him do we find peace, protection, and security.
Reflection:
Is your worship and obedience to God driven by love for Him, or by a desire to gain something from Him in return? If you were faced with ongoing struggles like long-term illness, unemployment, or family trouble, would you be able to say, “God’s presence is my greatest satisfaction”?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me first and rescuing me from the bondage of sin. Forgive me for the times I treat our relationship like a transaction, thinking I can earn Your blessings through my good deeds. Help me to obey You out of gratitude, trusting that Your ways are best. In times of struggles, remind me of the greatest promise of all, that Your presence is with me always. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.