and if you reject My statutes, despise My ordinances, and neglect to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant, reject My statutesThe Hebrew word for "reject" is "ma'as," which conveys a sense of despising or refusing. In the context of ancient Israel, statutes ("chuqqim") were divine decrees given by God to guide His people in holiness and righteousness. To reject these statutes was not merely a passive act of disobedience but an active refusal to acknowledge God's authority and wisdom. Historically, this rejection often led to Israel's downfall, as they turned to idolatry and the practices of surrounding nations, forsaking the unique identity God had given them. despise My ordinances
The term "despise" comes from the Hebrew "ga'al," meaning to loathe or hold in contempt. Ordinances ("mishpatim") refer to God's judgments or legal decisions. These were meant to ensure justice and equity within the community. Despising God's ordinances indicates a heart hardened against divine justice and a preference for human judgment over God's perfect law. This attitude reflects a deeper spiritual rebellion, as seen throughout Israel's history when they ignored God's righteous standards. fail to carry out all My commandments
The phrase "fail to carry out" translates from the Hebrew "lo ta'asu," meaning not to do or perform. Commandments ("mitzvot") are specific instructions from God. The emphasis on "all" underscores the comprehensive nature of God's expectations. Partial obedience is insufficient; God desires complete adherence to His will. This call to obedience is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true love for God is demonstrated through keeping His commandments (John 14:15). break My covenant
The Hebrew word for "break" is "parar," which means to violate or annul. A covenant ("berit") is a solemn agreement, often sealed with a promise or sacrifice. God's covenant with Israel was foundational, establishing them as His chosen people with specific blessings and responsibilities. Breaking this covenant was tantamount to severing the relationship with God, leading to dire consequences. This concept is central to the biblical narrative, highlighting the seriousness of covenant faithfulness and the grace available through repentance and restoration. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe speaker of the statutes, ordinances, and commandments. He is the covenant-maker with Israel. 2. IsraelitesThe recipients of God's laws and the covenant. They are expected to obey God's commandments. 3. Mount SinaiThe place where God gave the Law to Moses, which includes the statutes and ordinances mentioned. 4. MosesThe mediator between God and the Israelites, who delivered God's laws to the people. 5. CovenantThe agreement between God and the Israelites, which includes blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Teaching Points The Seriousness of CovenantGod's covenant is not to be taken lightly. It involves commitment and obedience. Breaking it has serious consequences. Obedience as WorshipFollowing God's statutes and commandments is an act of worship and reverence towards Him. Consequences of DisobedienceDisobedience leads to separation from God and the loss of His blessings, as outlined in the curses of the covenant. The Role of the HeartTrue obedience comes from a heart that loves and honors God, not just external compliance. The New Covenant in ChristWhile the old covenant was based on the law, the new covenant through Christ offers grace and empowers believers to live in obedience through the Holy Spirit. Bible Study Questions 1. What are the implications of rejecting God's statutes and ordinances in our lives today? 2. How does understanding the covenant relationship between God and Israel help us appreciate the new covenant in Christ? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our obedience to God is heartfelt and not merely external? 4. How do the blessings and curses outlined in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 apply to our spiritual lives under the new covenant? 5. How can we, as believers, encourage one another to remain faithful to God's commandments in a world that often rejects His statutes? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, similar to Leviticus 26. Exodus 19:5-6God establishes the covenant with Israel, calling them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation if they obey His voice. Jeremiah 31:31-34The promise of a new covenant, highlighting the failure of the old covenant due to Israel's disobedience. Hebrews 8:6-13Discusses the superiority of the new covenant established through Jesus Christ, which fulfills the old covenant. Romans 11:17-24Paul speaks about the inclusion of the Gentiles into God's covenant, emphasizing faith and obedience. People Egyptians, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, MosesPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Abhor, Abhors, Agreement, Break, Breaking, Carry, Commandments, Commands, Covenant, Decisions, Decrees, Despise, Fail, Hate, Instead, Judgments, Kick, Laws, Loathe, Orders, Ordinances, Reject, Rules, Soul, Souls, Spurn, Statutes, ViolateDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 26:15 6231 rejection of God Leviticus 26:14-16 4843 plague
5845 emptiness
6142 decay Leviticus 26:14-17 5607 warfare, examples
6232 rejection of God, results
8786 opposition, to sin and evil
8840 unfaithfulness, to God Leviticus 26:14-20 8032 trust, lack of
8833 threats Leviticus 26:14-39 5827 curse
6026 sin, judgment on Leviticus 26:15-16 4510 sowing and reaping
5418 monotony
5764 attitudes, negative to God Leviticus 26:15-17 1349 covenant, at Sinai Leviticus 26:15-20 9210 judgment, God's Library Emancipated Slaves
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.'--LEV. xxvi. 13. The history of Israel is a parable and a prophecy as well as a history. The great central word of the New Testament has been drawn from it, viz. 'redemption,' i.e. a buying out of bondage. The Hebrew slaves in Egypt were 'delivered.' The deliverance made them a nation. God acquired them for Himself, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureLii. Trust in God.
15th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. vi. 31. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." INTRODUCTION.--We read in ancient Roman history that a general named Aemilius Paulus was appointed to the Roman army in a time of war and great apprehension. He found in the army a sad condition of affairs, there were more officers than fighting men, and all these officers wanted to have their advice taken, and the war conducted in accordance with their several opinions. Then Aemilius Paulus …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent A Reformer's Schooling
'The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
We shall now, in conclusion, give a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction in vi. 1, 2, where the mountains serve only to give greater solemnity to the scene (in the fundamental passages Deut. xxxii. 1, and in Is. 1, 2, "heaven and earth" are mentioned for the same purposes, inasmuch as they are the most venerable parts of creation; "contend with the mountains" by taking them in and applying to [Pg 522] them as hearers), the prophet reminds the people of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
The duty of Covenanting is founded on the law of nature; but it also stands among the arrangements of Divine mercy made from everlasting. The promulgation of the law, enjoining it on man in innocence as a duty, was due to God's necessary dominion over the creatures of his power. The revelation of it as a service obligatory on men in a state of sin, arose from his unmerited grace. In the one display, we contemplate the authority of the righteous moral Governor of the universe; in the other, we see …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings
THE following list contains the passages in the Old Testament applied to the Messiah or to Messianic times in the most ancient Jewish writings. They amount in all to 456, thus distributed: 75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiorgrapha, and supported by more than 558 separate quotations from Rabbinic writings. Despite all labour care, it can scarcely be hoped that the list is quite complete, although, it is hoped, no important passage has been omitted. The Rabbinic references …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 26:15 NIVLeviticus 26:15 NLTLeviticus 26:15 ESVLeviticus 26:15 NASBLeviticus 26:15 KJV
Leviticus 26:15 Commentaries
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