9. OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN SERVICE (Leviticus 26:1-46)

The first part - (Leviticus 26:3-13 ), recounts the blessings that would come to Israel through obedience to God. The second part describes the curses, distresses and troubles that disobedience would bring (Leviticus 26:14-46 ). These verses became a prophecy of what did overtake a disobedient people. Pictured are blessing we receive through obedience. We are to be doers of the Word (James 1:22; Leviticus 26:3 ).

	Faith's obeying God makes us recipients of His gifts. "then I will give you ..." (Leviticus 26:4 ).
	Faith's obedience brings the rain of the Spirit that results in fruitfulness. "then I will give you rain ..." (Leviticus 26:4 ).
	A believing and obedient church will be prospered with numbers and spiritual prosperity. "... shall yield its produce ..." (Leviticus 26:4 ).
	Obedience will bring forth strong, usable people "... the trees of the field shall yield their fruit." (Leviticus 26:4 ) Compare (Jeremiah 17:7, 8; Psalm 1:3 ).
	Obedience results in plenty and security. "... you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely" (Leviticus 26:5 ).
	Obedience brings enjoyment and peace. "I will give peace ..." (Leviticus 26:6 ).
	Obedient faith knows triumphant victory. "... chase your enemies ..." (Leviticus 26:7; 1 John 5:4 ).
	The few, through obedient faith will have strong enemy forces fall before them. "Five of you..." (Leviticus 26:8 ).
	His obedient ones will know His eye upon them in favour. (Leviticus 26:9 ).
	Obedient to the old Word will know new light breaking from God's Word (Leviticus 26:10 ).
	Obedience brings realisation of His indwelling Holy Spirit, and manifestations of His power. "... tabernacle among you ..." (Leviticus 26:11; John 7:38 ).
	His obedient people will experience God's power among them. "I will walk among you ..." (Leviticus 26:12 ).
	His obedient ones respond to God's claims and know Him as their God. "... who brought you out ..."(Leviticus 26:13 )
	His obedient ones by faith enjoy release from yokes of bondage. "... I have broken the bands ..." (Leviticus 26:13 )

The terrible consequences of disobedience described in Leviticus 26:14-39 became actual facts in the history recorded in the books of Samuel and Kings, leading right into the Babylonian captivity.

Leviticus 26:14 "But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments."

	Disobedience is refusing to pay attention to what the Lord has said. Listening to men but not to God.
	Disobedience is failure to respond to the claims of God, and this is followed by failure in conduct.

Leviticus 26:15 "and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant,"

	Statutes represent duties expected by God.
	Judgments represent duties to fellow men.
	Commandments represent His word on any matter.

Leviticus 26:40 "But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me,"

	Confession of the unfaithfulness is first in priority (1 John 1:9 ).
	Confession must be specific and personal. "their iniquity."
	Confession of influence of fathers or of others, needs to be openly stated.
	Confession must name that done contrary to God's nature and word.

This is the sure promise of God to all who confess their failure in service, or life, to God.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can you tell of blessing that you have experienced through obedience (Leviticus 26:3-13 )?

2. Would you define disobedience as refusing to pay attention to what God has said, and what are the consequences in family, national and church life (Leviticus 26:14-39 )?

3. What does God expect of the disobedient (Leviticus 24:40 )?