They will stumble over one another as before the sword, though no one is behind them. So you will not be able to stand against your enemies. They will stumble over one anotherThis phrase indicates a state of panic and confusion among the people. In the context of Leviticus 26, this is part of the curses for disobedience to God's covenant. The imagery of stumbling suggests a lack of stability and direction, often associated with fear and chaos. This can be compared to the Israelites' experiences in the wilderness, where disobedience led to wandering and confusion ( Numbers 14:33). Theologically, it reflects the consequences of turning away from God's guidance, leading to internal strife and disorder. as before the sword
The mention of the sword symbolizes imminent danger and warfare. Historically, Israel faced numerous threats from surrounding nations, and the sword often represented divine judgment (Ezekiel 21:3-5). The fear of the sword without an actual enemy present underscores the psychological terror and the perception of threat due to a guilty conscience. This can be seen as a fulfillment of the warnings given in Deuteronomy 28:25, where disobedience would lead to being defeated before enemies. though no one is behind them
This phrase highlights the irrational fear and paranoia that can grip a people who have lost their trust in God. It suggests a supernatural fear, where the threat is not physical but spiritual and psychological. This can be related to the concept of a guilty conscience, where fear is magnified by the awareness of sin and separation from God (Proverbs 28:1). Theologically, it points to the absence of God's protection, leading to fear even when no real threat exists. So you will not be able to stand against your enemies
This consequence is a direct result of breaking the covenant with God. In the historical context, Israel's strength and success were contingent upon their faithfulness to God (Deuteronomy 28:7). The inability to stand against enemies signifies a loss of divine favor and protection. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where Israel's victories and defeats are tied to their spiritual state (Judges 2:14-15). It also foreshadows the ultimate need for a savior, as human strength and righteousness are insufficient without God's intervention, pointing to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe primary audience of Leviticus, the Israelites are God's chosen people, receiving the laws and commandments through Moses. 2. MosesThe prophet and leader who delivered God's laws to the Israelites, including the blessings and curses outlined in Leviticus 26. 3. CanaanThe Promised Land where the Israelites were headed, a place of blessing if they obeyed God, but also a place of potential judgment if they disobeyed. 4. EnemiesThe surrounding nations that could become a threat to Israel if they failed to follow God's commandments. 5. GodThe ultimate authority and lawgiver, who promises blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Teaching Points Consequences of DisobedienceDisobedience to God leads to fear and instability, symbolized by stumbling even when not pursued. The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's commandments is crucial for spiritual stability and protection from enemies. Fear and FaithA lack of faith results in fear and confusion, while trust in God brings peace and confidence. Community ResponsibilityThe actions of individuals can affect the entire community, as seen in the collective consequences faced by Israel. Spiritual WarfareSpiritual battles require reliance on God; without Him, we are vulnerable to defeat. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of stumbling without pursuit in Leviticus 26:37 reflect the spiritual state of disobedience? 2. In what ways can the principles found in Leviticus 26:37 be applied to modern-day spiritual warfare? 3. How does the account of Achan in Joshua 7 illustrate the communal impact of individual sin, as suggested in Leviticus 26:37? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are standing firm in our faith and not stumbling in fear? 5. How does Romans 8:31 provide a New Testament perspective on the assurance of standing against our enemies, contrasting with the warning in Leviticus 26:37? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter parallels Leviticus 26, detailing the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, emphasizing the consequences of turning away from God. Joshua 7The account of Achan's sin and Israel's defeat at Ai illustrates the principle of stumbling before enemies due to disobedience. Isaiah 30:17This verse echoes the theme of fleeing without pursuit, highlighting the fear and instability that come from not trusting in God. Proverbs 28:1The contrast between the righteous and the wicked, where the wicked flee when no one pursues, aligns with the imagery in Leviticus 26:37. Romans 8:31Offers a New Testament perspective on standing against enemies, emphasizing that if God is for us, no one can stand against us. People Egyptians, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, MosesPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Able, Although, Enemies, Escape, Face, Fall, Falling, Fleeing, Haters, None, Power, Pursues, Pursueth, Pursuing, Running, Stand, Standing, Strength, Stumble, Stumbled, Sword, ThoughDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 26:37 5186 stumbling Leviticus 26:14-39 5827 curse
6026 sin, judgment on Leviticus 26:27-42 6702 peace, destruction Leviticus 26:36-37 5178 running Leviticus 26:36-39 5714 men 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 26:37 NIVLeviticus 26:37 NLTLeviticus 26:37 ESVLeviticus 26:37 NASBLeviticus 26:37 KJV
Leviticus 26:37 Commentaries
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