Chapters 26 and 27 are the final chapters in the Book of Leviticus.
When we read these final chapters, what the LORD is saying is; IF…you follow my torat (teachings, laws) and faithfully observe my mitzvoth (commandments) I WILL…. It is ALL CONDITIONAL, there is nothing without a condition. If we want God’s blessings and good favor, we will follow HIS WORD, and accept HIS LIVING WORD (Yeshua) into our life. Yeshua said; “If you love me, ye will obey my commandments” not only the commandments that he spoke about during his life on earth, but also, the ones which he gave to Moshe when HE was with the FATHER as part of ELOHIM.
I must repeat this to avoid confusion and negative comments. We are NOT saved by obeying God's commandments, we are saved by FAITH and not by WORKS (which are the commandments) by the shed blood of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ our LORD and Redeemer. However, we are saved UNTO good works, to obey and follow what God has written down in His Book by His chosen prophets. Of course, not all the 613 commandments can be followed today, But if we study and let the Holy Spirit guide us, we will learn what can be observed and what can not be followed
Blessings and curses are a part of life. The world calls them “good luck and bad luck” there is no such animal! All things that happen in our lives are a result of blessings, curses, and tests. Do we love our LORD and Savior, Messiah Yeshua? Then, follow HIS commandments (He even stated this) , not to bring us salvation, that we already have, but as a RESULT OF our salvation (Yeshuah) And if you haven’t accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as your LORD and Savior, and Messiah, NOW is the perfect time, remember, we are NOT promised tomorrow, we are only one HEART BEAT away from eternity.
Let’s look at the beginning of Chapter 26: “Do not make idols for yourselves and do not put up a carved image or a pillar for yourselves, and do not place a stone image in your land to bow down to it, for I am YHVH you Elohim. Guard my Shabbats and reverence (respect) my sanctuary, I am YHVH.
This is a repetition of two of the most important commandments that were given to us on Sinai. “us” being that all believers are part of the extended community of Israel which had its beginning there at the foot of Mt. Sinai about 3000 years ago.
Do we really go out and make ourselves idols? To bow down and worship? We would probably say “no”, yet what is an “idol”? It is anything that comes before our worship, service, and dedication to our ONE and Only God, Adonai-Elohim. Many people cease going to church or synagogue because “they don’t have time” or there are other distractions.
One can put so much importance on things like sports, jobs, making money, leisure, and relatives, that the things of God are left behind, if this is the case, then we ARE making for ourselves idols, and indirectly, we are bowing down and worshipping them. Better cease or our heavenly father just might “remove” that obstacle from our midst! Like it or not.
Another reason for not making idols and statutes of the so-called “likeness” of God is because that would be like reducing our LORD God, who is “everywhere” to fit inside of that “thing” that is made in that “so-called” likeness. We see all over, pictures of Yeshua (Jesus) in different forms, some have him knocking at the door, others have him as the “good shepherd” holding a lamb, and others just show a portrait. Others still have him hanging from the cross. Even though we might not bow down and worship these images, they are still “images” indeed, or so-called “likenesses” of what is supposed to be our “Messiah”. No, they are not carved images, yet they are still images, is it a good idea to have them? Only you can decide.
“Guard/keep my sabbaths” When we “guard” something, we make sure that the thing we are guarding is protected from violation. The sabbath day is a day to rest and come to worship our LORD and Savior. As Messianic believers we come to worship on Saturdays, The Sabbath day was never changed, it was and still is Saturday. Yeshua's followers got together the first day of the week to break bread (fellowship with a meal) as stated in Acts, but that doesn't mean that the Sabbath was changed. Sunday, the first day of the week is celebrated to remember the resurrection of the LORD, and to fellowship with other believers. Two important days to get together and study the WORD and worship with other believers. We can come to worship on Saturday or Sunday, or even “both” days, (which is even better).
Many families go out to eat on the weekends, so as to give the wife a day off, or two days off from cooking in the kitchen. That is a good thing. Another good thing to do is to visit others and share God’s word with them, especially with those who are bedridden and can not leave home.
“Reverence my sanctuary” How is that done? When we go to worship, how do we go? In what frame of mind? Are the cell phones turned off? Are we dressed for the occasion? If the president of your country invited you to dine with him, how would you go dressed? In beach clothes or in a suit and tie? I am sure you would dress with the best you have. You are going to meet with the KING of kings and LORD of Lords, with “your creator” the one you will spend eternity with.
Are your kids in check? Or are they running up and down the hallway looking for the bathroom? Is there idle conversation while the message is being taught? Or are all eyes and ears on the pastor/teacher/rabbi? We can either “show reverence/respect/honor” to our place of worship, or we can show “lack of” the choice is ours.
The end of chapter 27 is on vows and promises. What is God saying here through Moses? If we vow something to the LORD, or promise something, like ourselves for a certain period, or some "thing" like a car, bus, or truck, for the LORD's work, we should make good on our promise. Yet Yeshua says that we should NOT vow, being that we do not know the future. That our YES be YES or NO be NO, or "If God allows me... I would like to...."
In these two final chapters, we see that there are more "curses" than "blessings" These affected Israel. We know the story, Israel turned to idolatry, and thus, received the curses and was cast out of the promised land. Yet God did NOT forget HIS people, He received them again, forgave their transgression, and, as Isaiah put it;
"Who ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Is a country born in one day? Is a nation brought forth all at once? For as soon as Tziyon went into labor, she brought forth her children." (66:3)
May 14th, 1948. Israel became a nation once again. We can see that the blessings and curses were directed towards Israel and Israel's way of life; agriculture, livestock, living in the land, being guarded against the enemies, physical and emotional health, etc... Yet we can see even in simple things, obedience to God's laws or even man's laws, can bring blessings, and disobedience, can bring curses. Stop at the red light, and be blessed. Go through a red light, receive the curse, and either get hit or get fined.
So, to obey or disobey, that decision is ours. So, obey the LORD, honor His WORD, and love the LIVING WORD, and reap blessings.
A sunny day at the beach can be a big blessing, rest and relax. Naples Beach, Naples FL
When we read these final chapters, what the LORD is saying is; IF…you follow my torat (teachings, laws) and faithfully observe my mitzvoth (commandments) I WILL…. It is ALL CONDITIONAL, there is nothing without a condition. If we want God’s blessings and good favor, we will follow HIS WORD, and accept HIS LIVING WORD (Yeshua) into our life. Yeshua said; “If you love me, ye will obey my commandments” not only the commandments that he spoke about during his life on earth, but also, the ones which he gave to Moshe when HE was with the FATHER as part of ELOHIM.
I must repeat this to avoid confusion and negative comments. We are NOT saved by obeying God's commandments, we are saved by FAITH and not by WORKS (which are the commandments) by the shed blood of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ our LORD and Redeemer. However, we are saved UNTO good works, to obey and follow what God has written down in His Book by His chosen prophets. Of course, not all the 613 commandments can be followed today, But if we study and let the Holy Spirit guide us, we will learn what can be observed and what can not be followed
Blessings and curses are a part of life. The world calls them “good luck and bad luck” there is no such animal! All things that happen in our lives are a result of blessings, curses, and tests. Do we love our LORD and Savior, Messiah Yeshua? Then, follow HIS commandments (He even stated this) , not to bring us salvation, that we already have, but as a RESULT OF our salvation (Yeshuah) And if you haven’t accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as your LORD and Savior, and Messiah, NOW is the perfect time, remember, we are NOT promised tomorrow, we are only one HEART BEAT away from eternity.
Let’s look at the beginning of Chapter 26: “Do not make idols for yourselves and do not put up a carved image or a pillar for yourselves, and do not place a stone image in your land to bow down to it, for I am YHVH you Elohim. Guard my Shabbats and reverence (respect) my sanctuary, I am YHVH.
This is a repetition of two of the most important commandments that were given to us on Sinai. “us” being that all believers are part of the extended community of Israel which had its beginning there at the foot of Mt. Sinai about 3000 years ago.
Do we really go out and make ourselves idols? To bow down and worship? We would probably say “no”, yet what is an “idol”? It is anything that comes before our worship, service, and dedication to our ONE and Only God, Adonai-Elohim. Many people cease going to church or synagogue because “they don’t have time” or there are other distractions.
One can put so much importance on things like sports, jobs, making money, leisure, and relatives, that the things of God are left behind, if this is the case, then we ARE making for ourselves idols, and indirectly, we are bowing down and worshipping them. Better cease or our heavenly father just might “remove” that obstacle from our midst! Like it or not.
Another reason for not making idols and statutes of the so-called “likeness” of God is because that would be like reducing our LORD God, who is “everywhere” to fit inside of that “thing” that is made in that “so-called” likeness. We see all over, pictures of Yeshua (Jesus) in different forms, some have him knocking at the door, others have him as the “good shepherd” holding a lamb, and others just show a portrait. Others still have him hanging from the cross. Even though we might not bow down and worship these images, they are still “images” indeed, or so-called “likenesses” of what is supposed to be our “Messiah”. No, they are not carved images, yet they are still images, is it a good idea to have them? Only you can decide.
“Guard/keep my sabbaths” When we “guard” something, we make sure that the thing we are guarding is protected from violation. The sabbath day is a day to rest and come to worship our LORD and Savior. As Messianic believers we come to worship on Saturdays, The Sabbath day was never changed, it was and still is Saturday. Yeshua's followers got together the first day of the week to break bread (fellowship with a meal) as stated in Acts, but that doesn't mean that the Sabbath was changed. Sunday, the first day of the week is celebrated to remember the resurrection of the LORD, and to fellowship with other believers. Two important days to get together and study the WORD and worship with other believers. We can come to worship on Saturday or Sunday, or even “both” days, (which is even better).
Many families go out to eat on the weekends, so as to give the wife a day off, or two days off from cooking in the kitchen. That is a good thing. Another good thing to do is to visit others and share God’s word with them, especially with those who are bedridden and can not leave home.
“Reverence my sanctuary” How is that done? When we go to worship, how do we go? In what frame of mind? Are the cell phones turned off? Are we dressed for the occasion? If the president of your country invited you to dine with him, how would you go dressed? In beach clothes or in a suit and tie? I am sure you would dress with the best you have. You are going to meet with the KING of kings and LORD of Lords, with “your creator” the one you will spend eternity with.
Are your kids in check? Or are they running up and down the hallway looking for the bathroom? Is there idle conversation while the message is being taught? Or are all eyes and ears on the pastor/teacher/rabbi? We can either “show reverence/respect/honor” to our place of worship, or we can show “lack of” the choice is ours.
The end of chapter 27 is on vows and promises. What is God saying here through Moses? If we vow something to the LORD, or promise something, like ourselves for a certain period, or some "thing" like a car, bus, or truck, for the LORD's work, we should make good on our promise. Yet Yeshua says that we should NOT vow, being that we do not know the future. That our YES be YES or NO be NO, or "If God allows me... I would like to...."
In these two final chapters, we see that there are more "curses" than "blessings" These affected Israel. We know the story, Israel turned to idolatry, and thus, received the curses and was cast out of the promised land. Yet God did NOT forget HIS people, He received them again, forgave their transgression, and, as Isaiah put it;
"Who ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Is a country born in one day? Is a nation brought forth all at once? For as soon as Tziyon went into labor, she brought forth her children." (66:3)
May 14th, 1948. Israel became a nation once again. We can see that the blessings and curses were directed towards Israel and Israel's way of life; agriculture, livestock, living in the land, being guarded against the enemies, physical and emotional health, etc... Yet we can see even in simple things, obedience to God's laws or even man's laws, can bring blessings, and disobedience, can bring curses. Stop at the red light, and be blessed. Go through a red light, receive the curse, and either get hit or get fined.
So, to obey or disobey, that decision is ours. So, obey the LORD, honor His WORD, and love the LIVING WORD, and reap blessings.
A sunny day at the beach can be a big blessing, rest and relax. Naples Beach, Naples FL