Promises of Leviticus
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
(by Meaghan Bartlett)
Leviticus is well known for being a bit of a heavy read. It’s full of detailed laws and rituals, communicating God’s expectations for His people; it’s easy to get lost in all the instructions.
But that’s not all Leviticus is.
As the book lays out the roadmap to rightness with God, I can hear Him saying to Israel, “I want to be with you.” Every step and sacrifice listed was intended to bring His people closer, deeper into relationship with Him.
How wonderful is our God! How gracious He is to give us everything we need to be close to Him, which is our ultimate good.
And this “good” is beautifully summarized in Leviticus 26.
Here, God implores Israel to have no other gods, to follow His decrees, and to obey His commands (vs. 1-3). With these conditions met, He promises to bless them with all these things (paraphrased):
Timely/seasonal rain (vs. 4)
All-you-can-eat food (vs. 5)
Safety (vs. 5)
Peace (vs. 6)
No fear (vs. 6)
Victory over enemies, even when outnumbered (vs. 7-8)
His favour (vs. 9)
Fruitfulness/fertility (vs. 9)
Overlapping harvests (vs. 10)
His presence (vs. 11-12)
Sounds pretty idyllic, right? But what if they couldn’t follow His decrees? What if they disobeyed His commands?
Most of the chapter is actually taken up with the fallout of disobedience, and it’s not pretty. But God, in his generosity, offers a way back into His promises — repentance. “But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors…I will remember my covenant” (Leviticus 26:40, 42).
Again, God’s heart shines through. “I want to be with you.” He promised to be faithful, even when Israel had not been faithful, and He promises the same to us today. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
When we come face to face with such generous, patient, and constant love, how can the response of our hearts be anything other than, “I want to be with You, too”?
Looking at the list again, I think He saved the best for last: His presence.
As the psalmist said, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). It’s His presence that produces all those other blessings, and indeed, makes them worth anything at all.