Leviticus 26:3 ~ IF I do...? ~ Reciprocity: Part Two

Good morning!  What a blessing it is to meet fellow seekers of the truth, on our journey through this land called earth.  Welcome to our humble tent ... please come on in, sit down and relax,  as we prepare to share the amazing manna that God has so graciously given us today.

At our last meeting, we had a sort of "appetizer" as we began Leviticus 26:1-2: click here to review.  GOD began to lay down the conditions of blessings for Israel, who were now in the Promised Land.  (1) No idolatry (2) Keep the Sabbaths (3) Reverence the sanctuary.  He reminded them of the strong and sure Foundation upon which everything good is built; "I AM the LORD your God"!

The LORD is now about to lay out 24 Conditional Blessings ~ blessings that are based on conditions being met: the principle of reciprocity (responding to a positive action with another positive action).

Today's measure of manna seems small in amount (only one verse).  However, it is very, very rich; best taken in smaller portions, so we can digest it properly.

LEVITICUS 26:3 
"If you walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them; ... "

Here we have 3 more conditions, to which our GOD so graciously responds with blessings.  The first 3 were commands; the next 3 seem to imply our free choice.  Free-will choices are, sometimes, the more difficult for us, aren't they?  They are certainly the most precious to our Father!

:3(a) "IF you ... "

This is the HUGE condition, right here!!  We must choose to obey.  Will we ... or won't we?  It is a moment by moment, day by day, choice!   God has already established His absolute Authority, Ability and Power. He is now about to tell us what He will do, predicated on what we decide to do.

:3(b) ~ "walk in My statutes,"

Action: walk ~ come, go, accompany, follow, move, travel, walk around in, come and let us go (wow! I love this definition ... thank You, Jesus!)

Where: statutes ~ something prescribed, an enactment, appointed, fixed order, ordinance

*NOTE: GOD set up statutes, ordinances, commandments, laws, precepts and boundaries for our safety and blessing ... not to be rigid restrictions of our actions.  Bless His heart;  He loves us SO much!

:3(c) ~ "and keep My commandments,"

Action: keep (8104) ~ preserve, take heed, pay attention, observe, look narrowly, watch(man), protect

What: commandment (4687) ~ whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) -- (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept, order, obligation.

:3(d) ~ "and do them;" 

Action: do (6213) ~ accomplish, practice, perform, carry out, bring about
What: commandments ~ same as above ... GOD wants us, not only to keep His commandments safe and close, in our hearts and minds.  He also wants us to do them, which requires our action!

Sounds simple, yes?  Well, it is.  And ... it is not.


WALK ... KEEP ... DO:  these are all verbs ... action words!

Walk in them, keep them and do them ...

Doesn't seem so simple ... after all ... 

OK, we have plenty here to ruminate on.  Let us just relax here and chew over the conditions that we have so far, before we go on to the on the blessings that the LORD promises to us.  I am feeling full to overflowing, myself ... I need to digest what is my part in this lesson.  Wow ...

A Quick Review ~ To Do List:
GOD commanded us: 1. No idols
2. Keep His Sabbaths
3. Reverence His Sanctuary

Here, the LORD gives us the privilege (and responsibility) of choice (if we):
4. Walk in the His statutes
5. Keep His commandments
6. Do His commandments

For study purposes, we may want to keep a list handy.  We are no longer bound by the Law (thank You, Jesus).  However, according to God's principles and promises, every choice we make does have consequences.  Which makes this measure of manna, as all of God's Word, a truly a "Super-Food."

Surely, knowing that our Lord is the Great I AM is enough.  I should do as He says.  He made me.  He knows what is best for me ... but, is that enough for me?  Is that knowledge and belief really all I truly need, to obey Him?  Do I really believe Him?  How do I show it?  Do I act on His commands and instructions, or (gulp) do I sometimes walk away and forget, or ignore, Him?  I would like to want to be obedient in all these things, before even knowing what He promises will follow my obedience.

So, dear friends, I am going to make myself an action list.

How and where do I walk?  Do I always walk humbly with my God? (Micah 6:8)  How, exactly, do I depend on Him?  Have I been heeding God's statutes, or do I still rebel?

Am I always aware of God's commandments?  Where do I keep them ... on my wall or bookshelf?  Or, in my heart and forefront of my mind?  What do I do about protecting our right to display them? (oh my, this is getting a little uncomfortable)

OK, how exactly do I do His commandments?  Have I memorized them?  Have they yet become habits, that I do without thinking ... or not?  How can I improve my performance of my Father's commandments?

On these things, I must sit quietly and meditate ... or, as Nike says; JUST DO IT!!!


Until we meet again, may God bless you, Tot ons weer ontmoet, mag God jou seën (Afrikaans)

I am blessed every day

with some new revelation of God's Word.

I will be sharing my measure of manna

with all who come to my "tent."

Please, let me know if you have been blessed

by the way it was prepared for you this day.

 ~Shalom~