Talking Points
- Closing out the book of Leviticus, God clearly spells out the blessings of obedience and the penalties that come with disobedience. The terms of the covenant are clear, not ambiguous. God’s people will not be able to plead ignorance.
- The blessings of obedience include rain, abundance, provision, and protection. The greatest blessing is that God promises His own presence to reside with them. The result of God’s blessing is that the people will reside in true peace. They will lie down and sleep without trouble. Obedience results in perfect peace!
- The penalties for disobedience are steep, seven times worse than the sin. They will not prosper, and their efforts will be wasted. It is interesting to see all of this is not a changing of fortune or bad luck. It is the punishment of God. He punishes disobedience.
- As God explains the penalty for disobedience, He also tells His people that if they are found in sin, their remedy is to confess and repent. He then promises restoration. Judgment is always tempered with mercy!
Thoughts
As we read Leviticus and consider God’s laws, some truths keep coming back to mind:
- God’s laws are for our good and His glory.
- God desires our trust and is trustworthy.
- True trust is lived out in obedience, and it testifies to God’s character.
- Obedience brings blessings, and disobedience results in curses and adversity.
- Godly sorrow leads to repentance.
- In repentance, God restores us to a right relationship with Him, and strengthens our faith to walk with Him in obedience.
But, even knowing this, we still struggle against our flesh and we sin. Here’s the truth — we need a Savior! While reading Leviticus, and the heaviness of the Law, I am beyond grateful for my Redeemer, the Sacrificial Lamb of God, my High Priest, who cleansed me from my sin and “broke the bars of [my] yoke”! We need a Savior, and we have our Savior. And, what a Savior He is!!