March 15, 2022 - Leviticus 24-25
My parents were strong believers in making sure that their children worked hard and kept their word when it was given. If a promise was made to help a friend or neighbor, it was expected the promise would be fulfilled even if it meant missing an anticipated event. We learned our word defined who you were to others.
The Lord commanded Moses to keep a lamp burning constantly to remind the people of God's presence. Weekly, twelve freshly baked loaves of bread were placed on the golden table to signify the people's communion with God. This unbroken covenant between God and the people, continually pictured an openness between the Lord and the nation of Israel.
The consequences of impure words were seen in the account an Israelite woman's son blaspheming the name of the Lord and being arrested and then stoned. The emphasis of the words spoken, brought death to the speaker even when words were uttered under stressful circumstances. The Lord's commands brought accountability to each individual as well as the nation.
Actions were also regarded as important as the Lord gave commands to allow the land to remain fallow every seventh year. The people of Israel were to allow the land to rest and recover. All agricultural activities were suspended, and harvest was to be taken from what naturally came from the land during the Sabbath year. It was observed again on the fiftieth year or the Year of Jubilee. The land was deemed as holy and was ordered to be idle during each seventh and fiftieth year.
Depending upon the natural earth to feed and support an entire nation is an act of faith, yet it demonstrated God's desire for them to trust Him completely. He repeatedly made a promise to provide and protect His people if they would follow His word and be obedient.
This walk of obedience has not changed. God still wants us to keep our word and follow through on the expectations He gives us. God's word is faithful and can be fully depended upon even when it calls for us to do radical acts of obedience. Israel struggled with believing the Lord's word. In Proverbs, God comes us with this challenge, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3: 5,6). What a great promise God has given us!