What other biblical passages highlight the importance of obedience to God's laws? Leviticus 26:21—A Sobering Launch Point “If you walk in hostility toward Me and refuse to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times, according to your sins.” Foundational Echoes in the Law • Exodus 19:5 — “Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations.” • Deuteronomy 4:40 — “Keep His statutes and commandments … so that it may go well with you.” • Deuteronomy 5:33 — “Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper.” • Deuteronomy 28:1–2 — “If you fully obey … all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you.” • Numbers 15:31 — “Because he has despised the word of the LORD … that person must be cut off.” History Books—Blessing and Discipline Played Out • Joshua 1:8 — “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth … then you will prosper and succeed.” • 1 Samuel 15:22 — “To obey is better than sacrifice.” • 1 Kings 2:3 — “Keep the charge of the LORD … so that you may prosper in all you do.” Wisdom Literature—Delighting in the Commands • Psalm 19:7 — “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul.” • Psalm 119:1–2 — “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.” • Proverbs 13:13 — “He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but he who respects a command is rewarded.” • Ecclesiastes 12:13 — “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Prophetic Calls Back to Covenant Loyalty • Isaiah 1:19–20 — “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” • Jeremiah 7:23 — “Obey My voice, and I will be your God … that it may go well with you.” • Ezekiel 20:11–13 — “I gave them My statutes … but they rebelled.” • Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you … what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?” Jesus—Love Proven by Obedience • Matthew 7:21 — “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom … but only he who does the will of My Father.” • Matthew 5:17–19 — “Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter … will disappear from the Law.” • Luke 6:46 — “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” • John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • John 15:10 — “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love.” Apostolic Reinforcement • Acts 5:29 — “We must obey God rather than men.” • Romans 2:13 — “Not the hearers of the law are righteous … but the doers.” • Romans 6:16 — “You are slaves of the one you obey.” • 1 Corinthians 7:19 — “Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.” • James 1:22–25 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • 1 Peter 1:14–15 — “As obedient children, do not be conformed … be holy in all you do.” • 1 John 2:3–5 — “We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments.” • 1 John 5:3 — “His commandments are not burdensome.” • Revelation 14:12 — “Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Takeaway—One Unbroken Testimony From the Law through the Prophets, from Jesus to the Apostles, Scripture consistently ties blessing, intimacy with God, and spiritual fruitfulness to heartfelt obedience. Leviticus 26:21 warns of compounding judgment for rebellion; the rest of the Bible affirms the same principle while adding the gracious promise that obedience, empowered by the Spirit, leads to life, joy, and enduring fellowship with the Lord. |
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