Daily Bible Reflection 10/14

Continuing a plan to get through the entire Bible in a year, follow as I journal through the reading. I have chosen a straightforward approach that begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. This will not be an in-depth study or a comprehensive commentary. There are plenty of sources for such material. This is stage one Bible reading, taking the text at face value and sharing impressions.

Today’s reading comes from the book of Leviticus, chapters 26 and 27, in which God promises great reward for obedience, and great punishment otherwise. Some impressions from the text:

Chapter 26 might be read as an affirmation of the prosperity gospel. After all, it states in explicit terms that God will prosper those who follow his commandments and punish those who do not. However, this is not a general proclamation for everyone in every context. It’s directed to Israel specifically.
The utopian conditions promised if Israel obeys God’s commandments were never realized, at least not fully, because Israel never consistently obeyed. On the contrary, many of the punishments listed did come to pass on account of their disobedience.
“You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. And I will destroy your high places and cut down your incense altars and cast your dead bodies upon the dead bodies of your idols, and my soul will abhor you.” Whoa. No trigger warnings with that one.
Chapter 26 concludes with God’s promise to forgive Israel if they confess and repent. Such forgiveness was made possible by the future work of Christ, just as our forgiveness today relies upon the same source.

Return soon as we continue our year-long journey through the text of the Bible.

Catch up on the previous entries:

Archived Genesis posts (scroll down in link).

Archived Exodus posts (scroll down in link) .

Laws for sacrificial offerings, and their relevance today. – Leviticus 1-4

Feeling sorry for sin does not absolve you of it. – Leviticus 5-7

God will not be trifled with. – Leviticus 8-10

God’s holy medicine. – Leviticus 11-13

God continues to emphasize cleanliness. – Leviticus 14 and 15

God on sex, incest, and homosexuality. – Leviticus 16-18

God’s laws set Israel apart. – Leviticus 19-21

Feasts and rituals served as constant reminders of the Lord. – Leviticus 22-23