Leviticus 26:23-46
Q.1. What ultimate indignity would God visit upon Israel to turn her heart back to Him? Why? – (Lev.26:23-39)
God would persist with punishment of the nation if they refused to repent – I will punish you seven times for your sins (Lev.26:24 & 28). Even before they settled in the Promised land, God warned that He would remove them from their Land – … I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste (Lev.26:33). The keeping of the Sabbath had been an expression that they belonged to God. While Israel were in exile, the land would enjoy the Sabbaths that the people had refused to sincerely give the Lord (Lev.26:34-35 c.f. 2 Chron.36:21). The land and its people would be oppressed and be subjected to slavery again (Lev.26:34-39).
Q.2. Was there a way back for the nation of Israel? On what basis would God restore Israel’s relationship with Him? – (Lev.26:40-43)
Even before Israel had been established as a nation, God made some astonishing prophecies – through Moses at Mount Sinai (Lev.26:46). Observe this glorious way of escape – 40 `If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me– 41 I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies–or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity 42 then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also my covenant with Isaac, and my covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land (Lev.26:40-42). Nothing is more certain. God will not break His Covenant.
Q.3. What does the fact that God will not break His Covenant with His erring children, tell us about His nature? – (Lev.26:44-46)
There is a massive difference between God and sinful humanity, which includes Israel. God promised – 44 Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so abhor them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God. 45 But I will remember for them the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the Lord (Lev.26:44-45). He is the great I AM. As such He will, and deserves to get His own way, because the Father knows best (c.f. Isa.55:8-11). The only reason that any sinner can be saved, is that God acts in grace and love towards us far more than we deserve. May Jesus Christ be praised.