Incredible Blessing – God’s Will for You!
Incredible blessing is God’s will for his people. Our focus passage in Leviticus 26:3-12 outlines some of the blessings for the people of Israel.
Rain was one of the most important of those blessings. In ancient times, reliable rainfall was absolutely essential. Without irrigation technology and in a dry climate, water became the most valuable resource, determining the fate of entire communities. When the rains came and harvests were bountiful, agricultural prosperity flourished, ensuring that people had enough food, which led to widespread well-being and contentment.
God’s promises continued. Security and peace fostered stability within society, allowing families and neighbors to thrive without fear. Victories over adversaries brought strength to the nation, reinforcing the sense of unity and resilience among the people. Fruitfulness wasn’t just about crops—it symbolized growth in families and communities, marking periods of joy and expansion. Above all, God’s manifest presence provided guidance and assurance, offering comfort and direction in uncertain times.
Incredible blessing for all
These blessings extended far beyond a single group; they were promised to all believers. Victory over adversity was assured, as reflected in Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed.” The prospect of abundant life was underscored in John 10:10, where Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The blessings didn’t end there. An ever-expanding spiritual family was promised in Mark 10:29-30, while strength during hardship was illustrated by the parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27. The Holy Spirit emerged as a continual helper, as described in John 14:15-17, and the gifts and fruit of the Spirit enhanced spiritual development. Believers could expect blessings that exceeded their expectations, as Ephesians 3:20 affirmed.
If…
Yet, these blessings came with conditions. Receiving them required observing God’s statutes and commandments, as outlined in Leviticus 26:3 and throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Adhering to foundational laws—loving God and one another—was central. Building one’s life on the teachings of Jesus, especially those found in the Sermon on the Mount, was crucial, as Matthew 7:24 teaches. Jesus himself affirmed the importance of the law, emphasizing its fulfillment through his death and his teachings regarding cleanliness. Through these practices, the faithful found a path to both material sustenance and spiritual fulfillment.
God’s Intentions for Humanity
Isaiah 48:18 expresses the desire for peace and righteousness contingent upon attentive obedience. This theme recurs throughout the Old Testament and in Jesus’ ministry. God seeks fellowship and right relationship with humanity, encouraging righteousness and holiness so individuals may experience transformative blessings. These promises are offered according to God’s terms, reflecting His understanding of what is best for us.
Your turn
A time for repentance and renewal is the starting point to realizing the incredible blessing God has in store for us. Prayer is the gateway to this experience. Repentance, commitment, renewal and faith are essential elements of this type of prayer.
Two weeks of reading, thoughts and questions for you. (I won’t be publishing a post next week.)
Week One
Weekly Reading: Leviticus 23-27, Numbers 1-10 – break this down in daily readings that fit your schedule
Key points:
- The blessings and curses that God gave to the people through Moses were often the basis for prophecies we read in the prophetic writing of the Old Testament.
- God’s desire for order is reflected in the arrangement of the camp.
Questions for consideration:
- The curse for disobedience in Leviticus is stark but is mitigated by the hope of redemption. How do you apply this warning to your life and the life of the church today?
- Why were the Levites not counted as a tribe in Israel?
- How many ways can God bless his people? The blessing of Numbers 6, is one that has been repeated countless times. How does God manifest this blessing for his people?
- What were the exceptions to the Passover rules? What was the consequence of skipping the Passover? How does this apply to our lives today?
Week Two
Weekly Reading: Numbers 11-30 – break this down in daily readings that fit your schedule
Key points:
- God continually showed his power and provided for the people. He was patient with their stubborn rebellion but exacted consequences for their disobedience.
- God’s provision for the people reflected his love for them and demonstrated grace.
Questions for consideration:
- Why did the people reject the good report from Caleb and Joshua after they had spied out the land? What lesson is there for us today?
- How many times did God punish the people for their rebellion? Try to list them here.
- What sin did Moses commit that resulted in him being denied entrance to the Promised Land? Why did God give the people water even though Moses did not carry out God’s stated instructions?
- Think about the instruction on vows in Numbers 30. Why were men given the additional responsibility to be able to negate the vows of their wives and daughters? How do we relate to this today?