Obey? – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 26 – 27 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 19 – 21; Proverbs 13; Psalms 66 – 70)

Read the “0213 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;…” (Leviticus 26:1-3)

In chapter 26, we see God addressing to the children of Israel, the first and third of the Ten Commandments. He then gives a detailed description of what will happen if they walk in His ways, (verses 3 – 13). But in verses 14 – 39 , he explains what He’ll do if they do not walk in His judgments. Then at the end of chapter 26, God gives them the opportunity to repent.

Israel reminds me of the United States. Originally the people came over from England because they wanted religious freedom. So as God freed the children of Israel so they could worship Him in the wilderness, He made America free.

But when they got to Mount Sinai, they erected a golden statue to worship. Just think about how many statues we have standing in our country today.

In verse 16 it mentions “the burning ague” (a very high fever), it causes a sorrow of heart. I think about all the diseases we had, and the ones we have now that cause so much sorrow.

The beginning of verse 22 says “I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children”. How many of our children go missing or have been miscarried. Remember the sun shines and the rain falls on the just and the unjust. We live in a sin cursed world.

So because of our disobedience, there are consequence to suffer. But be of good cheer. Our God is longsuffering. He loves us gentiles as much as He loves the children the of Israel.

“And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.” (Leviticus 26:41-42)

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14)

I do understand that Leviticus was written to the Jews, but we can apply it to today. What an awesome God we serve. We have the Bible to help us through all our needs. We can read and learn from the mistakes of those who’s lives in the pages were written by Almighty God. We can rest in knowing that when we mess up, we can always run home to Him, confess and forsake our sin and we will be forgiven.

Let us not just read the Ten Commandments, but to be an example to others and live our lives according to them. Amen

1John 5:13