TODAY’S READING: LEVITICUS 25-27
OVERVIEW:
Laws concerning personal property; the sevens of rest and liberty; the blessing of obedience and the cursing of disobedience; vows and tithes explained.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
We live in a world that believes that can live the way they want and not suffer the consequences. But God has established some universal laws that apply to all whether we believe them or not. One of these laws is gravity. Gravity always prevails. “I believe I can fly”, sings the hip-hop star R. Kelly, but what would happen if someone was to challenge the truth of Mr. Kelly’s proposition? Suppose R. Kelly climbed to the top of theEmpireStatebuilding and tested the validity of his belief by jumping. What would happen? Of course that’s a rhetorical question because before we could answer we would hear terrified screams and ambulance sirens. You see, it doesn’t matter what you believe because truth still prevails. In fact, as illustrated by this scenario, believing the wrong thing will kill you no matter how sincere or genuine you are.
God established physical laws or truths in our universe, gravity being one of them, that always prevail no matter how man attempts to overcome them or ignore them. God has also established spiritual laws or truths that prevail no matter how man tries to overcome or ignore them. Leviticus 26 reveals a very simple truth that many don’t want to believe or don’t like to believe: obeying God results in blessing, disobeying God results in cursing. Believers and unbelievers alike prefer to believe that there are no consequences to disobedience. God says it like this: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:7, 8). Oftentimes, the problem is that we never connect the circumstances of our lives with the consequences of our disobedience – it’s too painful to accept; “ignorance is bliss” as they say. But Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24 and 28 shows us that the consequences of disobedience are real concrete facts of history. Israelwas punished 7 times for their sins during their 70 year captivity inBabylon(c. 536-606 BC) and they will be chastised again for seven years in the Great Tribulation because they rejected their Messiah, Jesus Christ. So how’s your life? Are the circumstances you are experiencing a result of disobeying God’s word? Are there broken relationships in your life because you won’t confess your wrong, or forgive the wrong of others? Are there secret sins you are habitually practicing, thinking that no one will ever find out, forgetting that everything you do is live before a studio audience in heaven? Repent today. Don’t forget that the fires of the altar are always burning because God is “good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon [Him]” (Ps. 86:5).
Looking back through the book of Leviticus we can see two clear divisions: chapters 1-10 describe our POSITIONAL STANDING before God (salvation), while chapters 11-27 describe our PRACTICAL STANDING before God (sanctification). As we close today, let’s remind ourselves of the high points of Leviticus. First, REMEMBER that the path to peace and fruitfulness starts with worship. Next, REJOICE that through Jesus Christ’s finished work, God has made you (if you’re a Christian) a sacrifice (Rom.12:1, 2), a priest (I Pet. 2:5) and a place (Eph.2:22). Finally, REALIZE that you are to be holy as He is holy (Lev.11:45).
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the REDEEMER of the kingdom of heaven – Lev 25 (Acts3:20,21; Rev. 11:15).