Good Morning.

But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes … so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, I also will do this to you… (Leviticus 26:14-16)

There is a long list of consequences of disobedience recorded in this chapter and some of them are quite frightening. However, we need to recognize that none of them are meant as revenge but as provocation to repent. Moreover, it is my strong opinion that it isn’t God doing all these things to the disobedient; it is the logical consequence of disobedience. In other words, God doesn’t put these things on those who break His covenant as much as those who break His covenant bring these things upon themselves. That being said, He most definitely warns that if the first round of consequences do not get the attention of those in question, there will be other consequences of increasing severity.

So then, we have to conclude that if the first group does not attain the desired effect in the disobedient, it must be due to their unwillingness to acknowledge their sin and God’s authority. In short, they harden their heart against reproof and the sin becomes more serious. In a sense, they dig in their heels and refuse to be humbled, thus the need for more serious consequences. That leads me to this observation: it isn’t the sin, necessarily, that poses the biggest problem — it’s the sinner. The sin can be dealt with when we have a humble and repentant heart but an unwillingness to recognize our sin and then turn from it produces the scenario we see presented in this chapter.  

Therefore, the message that emerges from this is that the enemy without would not be as powerful if it were not for the enemy within. My greatest adversary isn’t Satan; my greatest adversary is the one I see in the mirror every morning — me. You see, it is the enemy within that allows for the enemy without to get a toehold in our life. As Paul reminded us, we so often do what we know we shouldn’t and don’t do what we know we should. It behooves us, therefore, to crucify our flesh, daily, and seek to be filled with His Word and Spirit and put to death the adversary within.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

Become a Premium Partner

or make a one time gift below.