Leviticus 26:1-13
There are two divine principles that always go together: one is sovereign grace – we have admired its activity in Leviticus 25. The other is government, the subject of this chapter 26. Whilst on the one hand God gives without imposing conditions, on the other He sees to it that everyone reaps what he has sown. The LORD takes the trouble to warn His people of the consequences, whether good or evil, of their conduct according to whether this is good or bad. And as He always assumes good, He begins, not by threats, but by encouraging promises, the description of the blessings which will result for Israel from walking in obedience. To be sure, these are earthly blessings in contrast to those for the Christian, who is blessed "with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). But one of the Lord’s promises of quite special value is shared by His earthly people and His heavenly people: it is that found in v. 12 which Paul quotes to the Corinthians: "I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people" (v. 12). It conveys the same responsibility for the Christian as for Israel: that of being entirely separated from all idolatry. (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:16).