Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, please study this chapter and then answer all 79 questions at the end of this chapter.

Leviticus Chapter 26

Verses 1-46: This chapter is a collection of blessings on those who keep the law and of curses on those who do not. A collection of such blessings and curses was the usual way to close a major legal text in biblical times. The main section of Deuteronomy ends with a similar series of blessings and curses (Deut. Chapter 28). We also find this pattern in (Exodus 23:25-33 and Joshua 24:20). It is a pattern that occurs outside the Bible in literature spanning the first three millennia B.C. Legal collections (such as the laws of Ur-Nammu, Lapit-Ishtar, and Hammurapi); Babylonian boundary stones; and Hittite, Aramean, and Assyrian treaties typically conclude with a section of blessings and curses. Such threats could be implemented as part of the superstitious belief of people in the ancient Near East. But for Israel, there was no doubt that the God who wrought the mighty act of deliverance at the Red Sea and judged the Egyptians and Pharaoh, could carry out such ominous threats or blessings.

The covenant blessings for obedience (26:3-13), and curses for disobedience (26:14-39), are elaborated. A provision for repentance is also offered (26:40-45).

Verses 1-2: Certain prohibitions precede the blessings proper (verses 3-13).

“Idols”: The Hebrew term conveys the idea of “to be weak, deficient” and then is used primarily in Scripture to describe vain objects of worship, that is, the gods of this world, whether literal idols, riches, or deceitful men.

“Graven Image: This was forbidden (in Exodus 20:4), and was a cultic representation of deity such as has been found at several sites in Canaan.

“Standing image”: It was apparently made of stone and probably intended to comprise a tangible indication of the presence of El or Baal, the two principal deities of Canaanite religion.

The “image of stone”, or “figured stone”, would no doubt have contained some carved picture of a Canaanite deity. There was one unearthed at Ugarit (Ras Shamra), depicting Baal hurling thunderbolts, which dates about 1800 B.C. The “keeping of the Sabbath” and “reverence” for “my sanctuary” would be the best means of forestalling the corruptions of Canaanite religion.

Verses 1-2: A representative summary of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17), was set forth as the standard by which Israel’s obedience or disobedience would be measured.

Leviticus 26:1 “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God.”

“Idols … graven image … standing image … images of stone”: There were forms of pagan idol worship at that time. Although idols today often look different than these, the Lord forbids His people in any age to worship any god other than Himself. Israel’s neighbors used all of these devices for the worship of their gods.

This is just another way of stating part of the Ten Commandments. Idols from the Scripture above, is translated from the word el-eel, which means good for nothing or of no value. Another way of saying it would be “nothings”. One of the best examples in the Bible, about how important it is not to bow to an idol or a false god, is Daniel. He even went to the lions’ den rather than bow down. Another very good example is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; who were thrown into the fiery furnace, because they would not bow to an idol or false god. God protected them, because they made a stand for the one true God. None of them were harmed. It is bad enough to make a false image, but to bow down to it would be even worse. Would you (at the threat of death), still not bow down to a false god or idol? In the end times, many will be faced with just that problem. One thing that I have said so many times, that helps me so much is; we must worship the Creator and not any of His or our creations. The Elohim God; God the Father, God the Word, and God the Holy Spirit, who are all one in Spirit are the only God to worship. All others are false.

1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

Leviticus 26:2 “Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD.”

The seventh day Sabbaths, and the seventh year sabbaths; especially the former are meant. In which religious worship was given to the one true and living God. And therefore, the observance of them is strictly enjoined. And hence this law follows closely upon the former, though Aben Ezra restrains it to the sabbatical years, or seventh year sabbaths, as he applies the sanctuary in the following clause to the jubilee year, which is said to be holy (Lev. 26:12). Supposing that this refers unto and stands in strict connection with the laws of the preceding chapter, concerning the sabbatical (Lev. 25:1), and jubilee years (Lev. 25:8).

“And reverence my sanctuary”: By attending in it, and on the worship in it, with reverence and godly fear (see Lev. 19:30).

“I am the Lord”: Who had a right to such religious worship, and to command such things, in which he ought to be obeyed, his sabbaths kept, and sanctuary reverenced. “And reverence my sanctuary”, by attending in it, and on the worship in it, with reverence and godly fear (see Lev. 19:30).

Notice first of all who this all belongs to; God. It is His sabbath. It is His sanctuary. Even we are His. To not obey His wishes would be to disobey the very God that made us. It is so little for Him to ask that we keep His Sabbaths. Sabbath, for the physical house of Israel, was Saturday. We Christians do not forget either, but we practice firstfruit remembrance on Sunday. To not reverence, then, brought swift punishment. The best example of that, was the fire coming from the altar and killing Aaron’s 2 sons. We do not see this type of manifestation of disapproval in our sanctuaries today from God. Perhaps, it is because God has moved out of many of these sanctuaries where He is not reverenced. The sanctuary should be a place set aside where we can go and meet with God. Jesus opened the way for all believers to come to God. Sanctuary means a consecrated place. Reverence means to hold in very high esteem. If this sanctuary belongs to God, then the way we can please God in it, is to do what He desires in this special place of His. Have we come to church to please Him or to please ourselves? Why do we go to church? Have we come to humbly bow before our LORD? Have we come to fellowship with Him, and to be a sweet, sweet sound in His ear? Did you come to church to meet with the LORD in His Word? If you came to be entertained, or so the neighbors could see you at church, or for any other fleshly reason, you should have stayed at home. The Sanctuary should be a place set aside 24 hours a day 365 days a year where you can go and fellowship with God. The sanctuary has one purpose; we should not use it for worldly things. The sanctuary is holy.

Verses 3-13: There are three divisions of blessings (verses 4, 6, 11), and each is prefaced with “I will give”. They include material prosperity (verses 3-5), victory over the nation’s enemies (verses 6-9), the assurance of God’s presence in the land (verses 11-12), and the dignity of personal freedom (verse 13). The mention of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt would be a guarantee that the great King who initiated the covenant with His people would be able to perform all that He promised. The assurance of God’s presence encouraged Moses in Exodus chapters 3 and 6 and was a source of strength for many generations (Isa. 11:1-16; Ezek. 36:28; 37:24-27; see Matt. 28:20 and Hebrews 13:8).

Leviticus 26:3 “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;”

Both moral, ceremonial, and judicial, which had been delivered unto them, and now completely recorded in this and the preceding book. For what follows in the two next are chiefly repetitions of what are contained in these.

Leviticus 26:4 “Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”

Among Yahweh’s blessings if the Israelites walked in His ways would be “rain”. Agrarian Israel would be dependent on rainfall from heaven rather than a great river, as Egypt was on the Nile.

If the rains did not come at the right times, the people experienced crop failure and famine (compare 1 Kings chapters 17 and 18).

Everyone wants to receive the blessings of God, but few want to admit that there is a part we each have to pay, to receive these blessings. The “if” (in verse 3 above), hinges on a great deal. You might even say, that life and death hinge on that “if”. Blessings if you keep them, and curses if you do not. I can just hear some of you saying right now, but we are not under the law. We are not, but after we receive the gift of salvation through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must walk in that state of being saved. We cannot choose to go back into the world. Notice in the verse above, “walk in my statutes”. You see, the believers’ life is a walk. Just as these of the physical house of Israel must walk keeping God’s statutes, we must walk in the salvation we have received. We read so much today about not having to keep the commandments of God to be saved. Look with me at a few New Testament Scriptures, which all say that we must keep His commandments.

Matthew 19:17 “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”

1 John 3:22 “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

1 John 5:2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.”

There are many more, but I will give just one more.

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

Notice in the verse above from Leviticus, just what some of these blessings are. It will rain at the right time and just the right amount. You will have a bountiful harvest of not only the fields, but of fruit as well. Looking at that spiritually shows me that the fruit of the spirit as well, will be abundant in your life.

Leviticus 26:5 “And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.”

Signifying that there should be such plentiful harvests of barley and wheat. The first of which began in March, as would employ them in threshing them out unto the time of vintage, which may be supposed to, be in the month of July. For on the twenty ninth of Sivan, which was about the middle of June, was the time of the first ripe grapes, as appears (see notes on Num. 13:20). And that they should have such quantities of grapes on their vines, as would employ them in gathering and pressing them until seedtime. Which was usually in October (see Amos 9:13).

“And ye shall eat your bread to the full”: Which is put for all provisions. And the meaning is, they should have plenty of food, eat full meals. Or however, what they ate, whether little or much, should be satisfying and refreshing to them, having it with a divine blessing.

“And dwell in your land safely”: Would have no need to go out of it into other lands for the sake of food, and would be in no danger from enemies invading them and carrying off their substance. Plenty without safety would not be so great a blessing as with it, since, though they had it, they might be deprived of it, wherefore security from enemies is promised.

We see in this that the harvest will be so great, that they will just have time to get in all the harvest, before it is time to plant again. There will be a tremendous abundance of food. Look in Egypt when Joseph did exactly what God had told him to do, there was a bountiful abundance of food in Egypt, when all the surrounding countries were starving. Obedience to God, brings bountiful blessings then or now. Notice the statement, “dwell in your land safely”

Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Verses 6-10: After promising abundant food (in 26:4-5), God promised a time of “peace and protection, both from natural predators and human enemies.

Leviticus 26:6 “And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make [you] afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.”

“Evil beasts” Dangerous animals such as lions and bears existed in that area. Joseph’s brothers claimed that such an animal had killed him (Gen. 37:20).

This peace spoken of here, can only come from the King of Peace. This peace, is freedom from fear of people or animals. There will be no terror by night or day. Faith is the opposite of fear. If we have faith in God and His Word, it brings perfect peace. When there is no war, then men have more time for hunting wild beasts. The world today needs to see the last part of this come true. There will be no war. Jesus said it the best in the next Scripture.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The only real peace, then or now, is in God.

Leviticus 26:7 “And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.”

“Chase your enemies”: God provided victories repeatedly in the conquest of Canaan (compare Joshua chapters 8-12).

Leviticus 26:8 “And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.”

Which, had it been in proportion to the other number, should have been two thousand, as in (Deut. 32:30), where there is a proportion observed. This is only a proverbial expression, signifying that a very few, under the blessing of divine Providence, should get the advantage over a large number, and oblige them to retire. And pursue them closely: instances we have of large bodies of the enemy being defeated by a small number of Israelites (Judges 7:21), and even many by a single person or two (1 Sam. 14:13).

“And your enemies shall fall before you by the sword” (see notes on Lev. 26:7).

The enemy will run from them, because the enemy cannot fight them and God too. The enemy will be well aware that this type of victory is from God.

Psalms 91:7 “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.”

The protection here is supernatural. The enemy knows it cannot win against God, so they run.

Leviticus 26:9 “For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.”

“Make you fruitful, and multiply you … establish my covenant with you”: What God commanded at Creation and repeated after the Flood was contained in the covenant promise of seed (Gen. 12:1-3), which He will fulfill to the nation of Israel as promised to Abraham (Gen 15:5-6).

A covenant is more than just an agreement. A covenant is made by passing through the opening between an animal cut in two. So a covenant is sealed with blood. The “if”, we spoke of earlier, has been explained in detail. God will keep his side of the agreement, “if” the people keep their side of the bargain. Blessings come from obedience to God. One of the blessings they were to receive, was children. We see above, they will have many children. We have mentioned in these lessons before, that the Hebrews thought it to be a curse not to have children.

Leviticus 26:10 “And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.”

What is very old, corn of three years old, as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it. Such plenty should they have that it would be so long consuming.

“And bring forth the old because of the new”: Out of their barns and granaries, to make room for the new, which they should have great quantities of, and scarce know where to put them. And therefore, should empty their treasures and garners of the old, and fill them with new. Or they should bring them forth out of their barns into their houses, to make use of themselves. Or into their markets to expose to sale, being under no temptation to withhold against a time of scarcity in order to make more of it (see Prov. 11:26). Now all these temporal blessings promised may be emblems of spiritual things, and might be so understood by such who were spiritually enlightened. As of the rain of divine grace, and the blessings of it, and of the doctrines of the Gospel, sometimes compared thereunto (Deut. 32:2). And of great fruitfulness in grace and good works, and of internal peace in the minds of good men, and of their safety and security from spiritual enemies. Of fullness of spiritual provisions, even of things new and old, and which are laid up for them (SOS 7:13). Thus, promises of a spiritual nature more manifestly follow.

Verses 11-13: God’s covenant promise to His people included His presence among them (Exodus 6:2-9), visually represented by the “tabernacle” (Rev. 21:3).

Leviticus 26:11 “And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.”

Which God had directed them to make, and they had made, and also erected. But here he promises to fix and establish it among them, that so it might continue as a place for the public worship of him. And where he would take up his residence, and grant them his presence. So the Targum of Jonathan, “I will put the Shekinah of my glory among you.”

“And my soul shall not abhor you”: Though in themselves, and because of their sins, loathsome and abominable. The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan are, “my Word shall not abhor you.” And the whole may have respect to Christ, the Word made flesh, and tabernacling among them. The tabernacle being a type and emblem of the human nature of Christ, in which the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and is the true tabernacle which God pitched and not man (John 1:14).

In (verse 10 above), God promised that before their food from the last year is gone, they will have another bountiful harvest. God promised also to tabernacle with them, if they would follow His commandments.

Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.”

God’s desire is to fellowship with mankind, but He is holy. If we are to fellowship with Him, we must be holy too.

Leviticus 26:12 “And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.”

“Your God … my people”: The promise of an intimate covenant relationship with the God of the universe is given (compare 2 Cor. 6:16).

We have been studying in the last lesson of the blessings they would receive if they walked in God’s statutes and kept His commandments. The presence of God has always been apparent where people love and follow God. One of the greatest promises (in my opinion), is the fact that He will be their God. If we keep His commandments, He will be our God. The following two Scriptures tell the wonderful relationship that a true believer has with God.

Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

Not only, will God walk with us and be our God, but we are actually accepted into His family as His adopted children. Notice (in verse 12 above), that He is not only our God, but we are His people. I have said it before, but I think it is hard to separate Physical Israel which (verse 12), is speaking to, and spiritual Israel which is all believers in Christ.

Galatians 3:29 “And if ye [be] Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Leviticus 26:13 “I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.”

Who, having done that, was able to fulfil the above promises. And which may be considered as an earnest and pledge of them, as well as be a motive to the Israelites. And an obligation upon them to obey the commandments of God, and walk in his statutes.

“That ye should not be their bondmen”: This was the end of their being brought out of Egypt, that they might be no longer in a state of bondage to the Egyptians. Nor to any other, but to serve the Lord their God, by whom they were delivered. As those who are redeemed by Christ from worse than Egyptian bondage. From sin, Satan, and the law, are redeemed. That they might not be the servants of any, but be a peculiar people, zealous of good works to serve the Lord Christ.

“And I have broken the bands of your yoke”: Which fastened it on their shoulders, that is, set them at full liberty, from the yoke of all their enemies. Particularly the Egyptians, who made their lives bitter in hard bondage, making the yoke of it heavy upon them. As Christ has broken the yoke of spiritual enemies from off the shoulders and necks of his people (Isa. 10:27).

“And made you go upright”: Who before stooped under the yoke, as well as were of dejected countenances. But now were made to walk in an erect stature, as the Targum of Jonathan, and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra. Or in liberty, as Onkelos (see Gal. 5:1); and with heads lifted up and countenances cheerful.

We went into this (in chapter 12 of Leviticus), how the man child was born on the way to the Promised Land. The man child represents the physical house of Israel and also, the law that was given unto them. This journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, birthed the nation of Israel as the people of God. They had nothing to do with the freedom from being bondmen in Egypt. God was their deliverer.

In (verses 13-39), the exile of the people is predicted. In 722 B.C., the 10 northern tribes went into captivity to be followed by Judah in 586 B.C. (compare 2 Chron. 36:20-21).

Verses 14-39: These punishments will repay disobedience. This section of curses follows the pattern of the ancient Near Eastern treaties, in that it was much larger in number than the enumerated blessings. The “terror” would consist of “consumption”, a general term that might include dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, typhus fever, malaria, tuberculosis and various types of cancer. “The burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart” (causes life to wane), may be a reference to gonorrheal blindness. “Then I will punish your seven times more for your sins” indicates that these judgments are looked upon as God’s discipline (Deut. 8:5; Psalms 38:1; 94:12; Prov. 3:11-12; Jer. 30:11; 31:18; Zeph. 3:2, 7; Heb. 12:5-11).

Amos laments that, despite judgments of famine and drought, disease and defeat, “Yet have ye not returned unto me” (Amos 4:6, 8-11). The reference to “seven times” (verses 18, 21, 24, 28), seems to be a round number for repeated punishments (compare Psalms 79:12; Prov. 24:16; Isa. 4:1).

The book of Revelation portrays a series of sevenfold judgments overtaking the world in the last days (Rev. chapters 5-16). “And I will break the pride of your power”, indicates that quite often prosperity leads to pride and self-confidence (Deut. 8:11-19; 32:15).

Judgment cuts a man down to size and reminds him that his well-being really depends on God. The “heaven as iron”, indicates no rain and “earth as brass” (bronze), indicates no crops (compare Haggi 1:9-11). All of these curses were sent by God as “a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant”. Which is best interpreted, “And I will bring the sword upon you to avenge the breaking of the covenant” (Judges 2:11-15; 2 Kings 17:7-23; Isa. 10:5-19: Luke 19:42-44).

Here the Lord lists the punishments for disobedience: terror, disease, famine, and subjection to their enemies. “I will scatter you among the heathen”; foreshadows the exile at the hands of the Assyrians and then the Babylonians, a circumstance that would bring sabbath to the land (26:34-35).

Leviticus 26:14 “But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;”

To his commandments, as the rule of their duty. And to his promises, as an encouragement to it, or to his prophets and ministers. Explaining and enforcing his law, and exhorting to a cheerful obedience to it. So the Targum of Jonathan, “if ye will not hearken to the doctrine of them that teach my laws;” which was the sin of the Jews in later times, for which captivity and other calamities befell them (Jer. 7:25).

“And will not do all these commandments”: Which he had delivered to them by Moses. Whether moral, ceremonial, or judicial, recorded in this book and in the preceding. Even all of them were to be respected, attended to, and performed. For the law curses everyone that does not do all things it requires (Gal. 3:10).

Leviticus 26:15 “And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, [but] that ye break my covenant:”

“Break my covenant”: By disobeying the commandments and the various laws of the Mosaic Covenant, Israel broke this conditional covenant. Unlike the ultimate provisions of the unconditional covenant made with Abraham, all blessings in the covenant of Mosaic law were conditioned upon obedience (compare Lev. 26:25).

They had a choice, just as we have a choice. They did not have to follow God. If they did not however, they would not know the blessings of God either. I want to stress here, that they have the choice. God would not force Himself upon them. God will offer salvation to us, but He will not go against our will and save us. We must want to be saved for God to save us. In the next few verses, we will see some of the consequences of not following God.

Leviticus 26:16 “I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.”

“Consumption”: Perhaps tuberculosis or leprosy is in view (the subject of much legislation in Lev. Chapters 13 and 14), but no certain identification is possible.

“Your enemies shall eat it”: They will be conquered by their enemies at a time when those enemies will enjoy Israel’s harvest.

There is no peace in the world. This terror is because they have no help in time of trouble. It was a foolish thing then, to turn away and not obey God. In fact, it is even more terror today to not follow in God’s ways. The threat of nuclear war has the world literally scared to death, just to name one terror. We read just how frightening it will be on the earth before the LORD comes back.

Luke 21:26 “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

Consumption is a lung disease that has to do with breathing. The word that was translated consumption here, does not have a translation other than consumption. Ague means inflammation. This must be a terrible inflammation, if it causes blindness. This sorrow of heart is because there is no hope for them. This life is very short and full of trouble and sorrow, if there is no hope of the resurrection. As if the troubles in the body and mind are not enough, the ground will not produce for the person who rejects God. Even the little crop that does come will be eaten by others.

Leviticus 26:17 “And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.”

Exert his power, and stir up his wrath and indignation against them, as enemies of his, to cut them off (see Psalm 34:16). Which is the reverse of having respect to them (Lev. 26:9).

“And ye shall be slain before your enemies”: As they were sometimes by the Philistines and others.

“And they that hate you shall reign over you”: As did the Chaldeans and Babylonians (see Psalm 106:41).

“And ye shall flee when none pursueth you”: Of such fearful spirits should they be. And filled with such dread and terror of their enemies, so contrary from what is promised them on their obedience (Lev. 26:8).

We see in this person who has chosen the world over God, a person most miserable. Fear would cause a person to flee when no one followed. To be out of fellowship with God brings many problems. We see worldly people away from God, being overrun and destroyed by these very Israelites this message is given to, when they take the Promised Land away from heathen people.

Leviticus 26:18 “And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.”

If such corrections by diseases of body, and by giving them up into the hands of their enemies, should be ineffectual to reform them. And bring them to obedience to the statutes and commandments of God, but should continue in their disobedience to him, and rebellion against him.

“Then I will punish you seven times more for your sins”: That is, abundantly more, with sorer punishments, and these more frequently repeated.

To whom much is given, much is required. These Israelites were given the law, and the opportunity to be God’s people. Any sin that they would commit would be in full knowledge. The punishment being so great, is because they deliberately turned their back on God and sinned even with full knowledge that they were sinning.

Leviticus 26:19 “And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:”

Which the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi interpret of the sanctuary, which they were proud of, trusted in, and boasted of. But was broke or destroyed, first by Nebuchadnezzar, then by the Romans. But it may rather signify their country, the glory of all lands for its fruitfulness, which for their sins should become barren, as follows. Or the multitude of their forces, and the strength of their mighty men of war, in which they put their confidence. It may take in everything, civil and ecclesiastical, they prided themselves with, and had their dependence on. Thinking themselves safe on account of them, but should be broken to shivers, and be of no service to them.

“And I will make your heaven as iron”: So that neither dew nor rain shall descend from thence to make the earth fruitful. But, on the contrary, a heat should be reflected, which would parch it, and make it barren.

“And your earth as brass”: That the seed could not be cast into it, nor anything spring out of it. For the service of man and beast, so that a famine must unavoidably follow.

God had offered them blessings above all the people around them. If their pride keeps them from following Him, then He will break their pride. If the heavens would not give forth her rain, this would be what the heaven and the earth would seem like. God will get their attention somehow. All through this, notice that the withholding of rain is in God’s hand, and not in Satan’s. The earth and the fullness thereof is God’s.

Leviticus 26:20 “And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.”

In endeavoring to till the ground, to plough, or sow, or to dig about the vines or olives, and prune them.

“For your land shall not yield its increase”: Produce corn, and bring forth grass, the one for the use of men, the other for the use of the cattle, and therefore both must starve.

“Neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits”: Such as vines, olives, figs, pomegranates, etc. Which were very plentiful in the land of Judea, and on which they much lived, and on which their more comfortable subsistence at least depended (see Hab.3:17). All this is the reverse of (Lev. 26:4).

Your physical strength is nothing compared to God. All of the strength in the world cannot make the earth produce, if God tells it not to.

Leviticus 26:21 “And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.”

To his mind and will, to his laws, commands, and ordinances. Showing no regard unto them by a walk and conversation agreeably to them, but neglecting and breaking them continually. Or by chance, as the Targum of Jonathan, not with any intention and design to obey the Lord, and to honor and glorify him. But in a careless and indifferent manner, having no regard to the law of God. Only now and then, as it happens, act according to it, but having no concern for the honor and glory of God.

“And will not hearken unto me”: To his voice in his laws and his precepts, or by his prophets, exhorting them to obedience to them.

“I will bring seven times more plagues upon you, according to your sins”: Greater and sorer punishments still. And these more frequently repeated, and in proportion to their transgressions of his righteous laws.

Just as God sent the 10 plagues on Egypt, and He will send them upon His people who continuously sin. The world will see plagues, even worse than the 10 plagues on Egypt, at the time of the wrath of God. How wonderful to see again in these last few lessons, that those who follow God’s statutes will not feel the wrath of God.

Leviticus 26:22 “I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your [high] ways shall be desolate.”

“High ways shall be desolate”: The activity on a nation’s roadway, i.e., messengers, merchants, and people traveling, reflected the well-being of that country. This is a picture of extreme economic siege.

This appears, if you are looking with physical eyes, that this is very cruel of God to do this. Remember though, they have a choice to avoid all of this, if they keep God’s statutes. While they are off fighting in wars, the beasts will multiply and become a menace to their families. The condition of the unbelieving throughout history has been one of desperation.

Leviticus 26:23 “And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me;”

Corrected and amended by these punishments, be prevailed upon to return from their evil ways to the Lord, and walk in his commandments, and keep his judgments, and do them.

“But will walk contrary unto me (see notes on Lev. 26:21).

Leviticus 26:24 “Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.”

Opposing himself unto them as their enemy, fighting against them in his providence. Whetting his sword, bending his bow, and causing the arrows of his wrath and vengeance to fall upon them. Or behaving towards them in a careless and indifferent manner, not regarding what befell them. Showing no peculiar concern for them, or as exercising any particular providence over them. But as if everything came by chance to them, which was the language of their actions, if not of their lips.

“And will punish you yet seven times for your sins”: Add fresh corrections, and these greater than before, and more numerous in proportion to their aggravated transgressions.

When I read of all the earthquakes, storms, A.I.D.S. and so many other terrible things happening in our society today, I believe God is trying to get us to repent and turn to Him. It is so evident that nature is out of control. God is the controller of nature, as we have been reading here. Even the ozone covering could be restored by God, if we would see our necessity to repent and turn to God. Do you suppose the terrible brutality against the Jews and the threat of total destruction of the world we live in is the punishment to seven times, because we have chosen not to follow God?

Leviticus 26:25 “And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of [my] covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.”

“Avenge the quarrel of my covenant”: God’s retribution for Israel’s breaking the conditional Mosaic Covenant is pledged.

War upon them by the sword of their enemies. They that use and kill with the sword, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; their neighbors that delighted in war, and bore an implacable, hatred unto them. And gladly embraced every opportunity of shedding their blood, and ravaging their country.

“That shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant”: The covenant made with them at Sinai, which they transgressed, and for which vengeance would be taken on them in this way. God so ordering it in his providence, though the enemy meant it not (Isa. 10:5).

“And when ye are gathered together within your cities”: From the fields and villages, fleeing from the enemy invading and destroying, to their fortified towns and cities for safety.

“I will send the pestilence among you”: Which shall destroy those that escaped the sword, and thought themselves safe in a strong city. And even the very soldiers in the garrisons, who were set for the defense of the city.

“And ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy”: So many being taken off by the pestilence, there would not be a sufficient number to defend the place. And therefore obliged to give it up, by which means those that escaped the pestilence would fall into the hands of the enemy.

Leviticus 26:26 “[And] when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver [you] your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.”

Brought a famine, at least a scarcity of provisions upon them. Deprived them of bread, the staff of life, by which it is supported. Or however made it very scarce among them, so that they had hardly a sufficiency to sustain nature, and perhaps the blessing of nourishment withheld from that (see Isa. 3:1).

“Ten women shall bake your bread in one oven”: For want of wood, according to Jarchi. Or rather through scarcity of bread corn, they should have so little to bake every week, that one oven would be sufficient for ten families. Which in a time of plenty each made use of one for themselves. And so Aben Ezra says, it was a custom in Israel for every family to bake in an oven by themselves, which they ate the whole week. Ten is a certain number for an uncertain, and denotes many, as in (Zech. 8:23). Making and baking bread was the work of women in the eastern countries, as we find it was particularly among the Persians, and continues to this day among the Moors and Arabs.

“And they shall deliver you your bread again by weight”: There being not enough for everyone to eat what they pleased, but were obliged to a rationed allowance. Therefore, everyone in the family should have their share delivered to him by weight (see Ezek. 4:16).

“And ye shall eat, and not be satisfied”: Not having enough to eat to satisfaction. Or what they did eat, God would withhold a blessing from it for their nourishment, the reverse of (Lev. 26:5).

This is a prophecy of the time when there will hardly be any grain to bake into bread.

Leviticus 26:27 “And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;”

To his commands, and to his prophets sent unto them time after time. And all his corrections and chastisements being ineffectual to reform them, and make them obedient to him.

“But walk contrary unto me” (see notes on Lev. 26:21).

Leviticus 26:28 “Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.”

As in (Lev. 26:24). With this addition, in fury; being greatly provoked, and highly incensed. That no regard was had to him, neither to his commands, nor to his corrections. And therefore, would be determined to stir up his wrath, and pour out the fury of his indignation on them, which must be terrible.

“And I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins”: Add new and many more chastisements, and that in hot displeasure, for their sins. And the repetition or doubling of the phrase, “I, even I, will do it”, denotes the certainty of it. And that he will do it himself, and his hand should be visible in it. And they should feel the weight of it, and be obliged to own that these were punishments inflicted by him for their sins.

You can see from this, that all these things happened unto them to make them turn back to God. If they will not repent and turn to His ways, He has no choice but to bring 7 times the problems upon them as before. The following Scripture says it all.

Nahum 1:6 “Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.”

There is only one answer to this dilemma. REPENT.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Leviticus 26:29 “And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.”

“Eat the flesh”: There will be widespread famine in the land and thus the people will even resort to cannibalism, which actually came to pass (compare 2 Kings 6:28-29: Jer. 19:9; Lam. 2:20; 4:10).

This would be an unusual thing for a Hebrew to do, because they thought of having children as one of the great blessings. Cannibalism would show the total degradation of their society. In the lesson just before this one, we find that God brought plagues upon His own people to try to get them to repent and follow His statutes. Sin has a way of getting worse and worse with every sin. The person gets callused to sin and ceases to feel guilty of sin.

Leviticus 26:30 “And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.”

“High places”: These were natural shrines for the worship of idols. Solomon disobeyed God by worshiping Him on the high places (1 Kings 3:4), and not long afterward, he was serving the gods of his foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-9).

High places were the favorite places for the worship of false gods. The sun god was just one example of these false god worship practices. In many cases, they practiced human sacrifice. If they will not stop this type of false worship themselves, God will intervene and destroy these places Himself. He will, also, destroy the people involved in this type of worship. The root word that was translated abhor is “gaal” and means contempt or loathing. This means then that, if they will not change, God will detest them.

Verses 31-35: All this occurred in the terrible invasion of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. by the Assyrians and the destruction of the southern kingdom of Judah in 605-586 B.C. by the Babylonians. In the case of Judah, it was a 70-year captivity to rest the Land for all the Sabbath years that had been violated (see 2 Chron. 36:17-21).

Leviticus 26:31 “And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors.”

By suffering the enemy to besiege them, enter into them, and plunder them, and destroy the houses in them. And reduce them to the most desolate condition, as Jerusalem, their metropolis, was more than once.

“And bring your sanctuaries unto desolation”: The temple, so called from the several apartments in it, the court, the Holy Place, and the most holy. Or rather both sanctuaries or temples are intended. The first built by Solomon, and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar; the second rebuilt by Zerubbabel, and adorned by Herod, and reduced to ashes by Titus Vespasian. The Jews understand this of their synagogues, which were many both in Jerusalem, and in other parts of their country, but cannot be intended, since it follows.

“And I will not smell the savor of your sweet odors”: Of their incense offered on the altar of incense; or the savor of their offerings, as the Targum of Jonathan. Of their burnt offerings, and the fat of their other offerings burnt on the altar of burnt offering. Signifying, that these would not be acceptable to him, or he smelled a savor of rest in them (see Gen. 8:21). Now these were only offered in the temple, not in synagogues.

Even if they do continue to worship the true God along with their evil practices, God will not accept their sweet smelling savor offering to Him. Even their cities shall be destroyed by God. Sodom and Gomorrah was a good example of such a city being destroyed by God.

Leviticus 26:32 “And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it.”

The whole country of Judea, cities, towns, villages, fields, vineyards, etc. Through the ravage and plunder of the enemy; and they being driven out of it, and carried captive from it. And so, the land left untilled, and become barren and unfruitful.

“And your enemies which dwell therein”: Having destroyed them, or cast them out, and sent them into other countries. And took possession of their land in their place.

“Shall be astonished at it”: At the desolation of the land, that such a fruitful country, a land flowing with milk and honey, should be turned into barrenness, for the wickedness of its inhabitants, and shall be amazed at the judgments of God upon them and that.

Leviticus 26:33 “And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.”

As with a fan (Jer. 15:7). So they were at the time of the Assyrian and Babylonish captivities. Some were carried to one place, and some to another, some fled to one place, and some to another. And they are at this day scattered among the several nations of the world.

“And will draw out a sword after you”: Draw it out of its scabbard, and with it pursue after them, when fleeing or going whither they should not. As the remainder of the Jews in Judea sought to go to Egypt, contrary to the will of God (Jer. 42:16; see Lev. 26:25).

“And your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste”: For want of men to till the one, and inhabit the other.

This very thing happened to the Jews when God scattered them all over the world. The Jews are beginning now to go back to their homeland. That was prophesied also in the Word.

Leviticus 26:34 “Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye [be] in your enemies’ land; [even] then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.”

The sabbatical years, or seventh year sabbaths. When, according to the law in the preceding chapter, it was to rest from tillage (Lev. 25:2).

“As long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies’ land”: So long it should lie uncultivated. At least in part, there not being a sufficient number left to till it in general, or as it should be. This was the case during the seventy years’ captivity in Babylon.

“Even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths”: Or complete them, as Aben Ezra, which is a bitter sarcasm upon them for their neglect of observance of the law concerning the sabbatical years. But now the land should have its sabbaths of rest whether they would or not. And it seems as if it was on account of this sin, as well as others, that they were carried captive. And it is remarkable, if what Maimonides says is right, that it was at the going out or end of a sabbatical year, that the first temple was destroyed, and the Jews carried captive, and endured a seventy year captivity. Which some say was because they had neglected seventy sabbatical years (see 2 Chron. 36:21).

We have studied in the lessons prior to this one, how important it was to God for the land to rest. One of the excuses that the people used for not celebrating the Sabbaths of the land was because they did not know where to begin. I would say that is a flimsy excuse. God will rest the land and have His Sabbaths, even if He has to do it with the land being desolate.

Leviticus 26:35 “As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.”

“Because it did not rest in your Sabbaths”: By implication, because they had violated the Sabbath repeatedly. This violation became the basis of the later 70 year Babylonian captivity (compare 2 Chron. 36:20-21).

For each 50 years that they did not practice sabbath and jubilee, God would let it lie desolate 8 years.

Leviticus 26:36 “And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.”

In the land of Judea, or rather scattered about among the nations. Suggesting that these would be comparatively few.

“I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies”: Or “a softness”; so that they should be effeminate, pusillanimous, and cowardly, have nothing of a manly spirit and courage in them. But be mean spirited and faint hearted, as the Jews are noted to be at this day, as Bishop Patrick observes. Who also adds, “it being scarce ever heard, that a Jew listed himself for a soldier, or engaged in the defense of his country where he lives.”

“And the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them”: Either the sound of a leaf that falls from the tree, as the Targum of Jonathan, or which the wind beats one against another, as Jarchi, which makes some little noise. Even this should terrify them, taking it to be the noise of some enemy near at hand, just ready to fall on them. Such poor faint hearted creatures should they be.

“And they shall flee as fleeing from the sword”: As if there were an army of soldiers with their swords drawn pursuing them.

“And they shall fall when none pursueth”: Fall upon the ground, and into a fit, and drop down as if dead, as if they had been really wounded with a sword and slain (see Prov. 28:1).

In most of the countries where the Israelite has fled to, they have been oppressed. They have been shunned and looked down on by many. In world war 2, about one sixth of the Jews alive were killed by orders from Hitler. Surely (verse 36 above), is describing just such a holocaust.

Leviticus 26:37 “And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.”

In their hurry and confusion, everyone making all the haste he can to escape the imaginary danger. Or “a man upon his brother”; his friend, as Ab