Leviticus 26: Reaping Results
"SHE HAD IT coming." "I should have known." "It was his own fault." "Well, what did they expect?" In these and a hundred other ways we affirm that people reap what they sow. While that is often said negatively, it can be positive too: "It really paid off." "That's your reward." "You earned it!" Before Israel entered the promised land, the Lord told them what they could expect from both obedience and disobedience.
Warming Up to God
In what ways has God rewarded your faith and obedience to him?
Read Leviticus 26. »
Discovering the Word
- How would the Lord bless Israel for obeying him (vv. 3-13)?
- How would he chastise them for disobeying (vv. 14-39)?
- How do verses 18, 21, 23 and 27 show that God would keep giving Israel another chance to obey?
- Even after the extreme chastisement of being banished from their land, what did God promise if they repented (vv. 40-45)?
- How do the punishments, as well as the rewards, demonstrate God's generous grace?
Applying the Word
- This Scripture should not lead us to interpret every event as God's reward or punishment. Nevertheless, we can all think of events through which God spoke to us about our behavior. How has the Lord affirmed or reprimanded you through something that happened?
- When remarkable events occur, how open are you to what the Lord might be saying to you through them?
Responding in Prayer
Thank the Lord for communicating to you through happenings in your life. Renew your commitment to follow him in obedience.
For Further Study
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene H. Peterson