Book of Leviticus
Chapter 26
This chapter is a fitting conclusion to the Book of Leviticus. It promises blessing for
obedience and suffering for disobedience. The message of this chapter is repeated again
40 years later in Deuteronomy 28.
The biggest little word in the English language is the word “If.” We cannot understand
Israel’s history unless we understand the “ifs” in God’s covenant with them. In our
relationship to the Lord, that word “if” carries a lot of weight. Look at three “ifs” in
particular (verses 3, 14, and 40). These are markers that divide this chapter into three
sections.
I. The Basis and Benefits of Obeying God (verses 1-13)
A. God’s unique identity (verse 1) – Unlike the other gods that were only idols, God
was the the great Jehovah (“I AM” – the eternal and self-existent One). A. W.
Tozer said, “The essence of idolatry is the entertaining of thoughts about God that
are unworthy of Him.” Idolatry was forbidden by God in the Ten
Commandments Exodus 20:3-5 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou
shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the
earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD
thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
God forbids specific forms of idolatry that were common at that time (“standing
image” was an upright pillar used as a symbol of a god; “image of stone” was an
object with letters and symbols about that god; “idols” literally means “things of
nothingness.”
B. God’s unquestioned authority (verses 2-3) – God had authority over their time
(“my sabbaths”), over their worship (“my sanctuary”), and over their thoughts and
actions (“my statutes…my commandments”). Submitting to God in these ways
would be the best cure against idolatry. God expected His people to “walk” in
His ways. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
C. God’s unlimited ability (verses 4-13) – God promised plenty, peace, protection,
power, prosperity, provision, and His own presence. In verse 13, God reminded
them of His mercy and redeeming power in setting them free from bondage. The
greatest motivation is to realize what God has done for you and to believe what
God will do for you!
II. The Caution and Consequences of Disobeying God (verses 14-39)
These verses read like a history of the Jewish nation, because this is precisely what
happened over the next centuries. God warns His people of the consequences if they
disregard His Word and disobey Him. Israel was in the baby stage of its life as a nation.
God had to teach them the same way we teach young children still today—with rewards
and punishments. The best way to teach them is to promise them reward for obedience
and a punishment for disobedience. And then you must be willing to follow through.
Notice the possibility of disobeying God in the words of verses 14-15.
A. Dreaded diseases (vs. 16)
B. Economic depression (vs. 16b, 19-20)
C. Enemy invasions (vs. 17)
D. Intensified punishment (vs. 18, 21, 24, 28) – The phrase “seven times” means
complete punishment. This means a greater degree of punishment and not just a
longer duration of punishment.
E. Wild animals (vs. 22)
F. Epidemics (vs. 25)
G. Famine (vs. 26-29)
H. Destruction of false worship (vs. 30)
I. Destruction of property (vs. 31-32)
J. Invasion and captivity (vs. 33)
K. Fear and hopelessness (vs. 36-39) – To “pine away” means “to melt or decay.”
The people would feel hopeless. Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man
pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
III. The Possibility and Promise of Returning to God (verses 40-46)
Notice again the “ifs” in this closing section of the chapter.
A. God required confession of sin – The first step is to realize our sin and then repent
of it. Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso
confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
B. God required humility
C. God promised to remember His covenant – God’s people may forget His law, but
God still remembers His covenant.
As we look back over the history of nations we think of the Babylonians and the
Assyrians, we read of the Hittites and the Philistines, and where are they today? They
don’t even exist as a nation anymore. Yet the Jews, in spite of their rebellion and
punishment, still maintain a distinct identity as God’s chosen people. One day they will
turn to Christ as their Messiah and the nation will be blessed as never before.
We should remember these three important things today: the blessing of obedience, the
consequences of disobedience, and the promise of returning to God and being restored.
Book of Leviticus
Chapter 26
I. The Basis and Benefits of_____________________________________ (verses 1-13)
A. God’s_____________________________________________________ (verse 1)
B. God’s___________________________________________________ (verses 2-3)
C. God’s__________________________________________________ (verses 4-13)
II. The Caution and Consequences of____________________________ (verses 14-39)
A. __________________________________________________ (vs. 16)
B. __________________________________________________ (vs. 16b, 19-20)
C. __________________________________________________ (vs. 17)
D. __________________________________________________ (vs. 18, 21, 24, 28)
E. __________________________________________________ (vs. 22)
F. __________________________________________________ (vs. 25)
G. __________________________________________________ (vs. 26-29)
H. __________________________________________________ (vs. 30)
I. __________________________________________________ (vs. 31-32)
J. __________________________________________________ (vs. 33)
K. __________________________________________________ (vs. 36-39)
III. The Possibility and Promise of______________________________ (verses 40-46)
A. God required_______________________________________________________
B. God required_______________________________________________________
C. God promised to____________________________________________________