You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. You will pursueThe Hebrew root for "pursue" is "רדף" (radaph), which conveys a sense of active, relentless pursuit. In the context of ancient Israel, this promise of pursuing enemies is not merely a physical chase but a spiritual assurance of God's empowerment. The Israelites, under God's covenant, are assured that they will not be passive in the face of opposition. This pursuit is a divine mandate, symbolizing the proactive nature of faith where believers are called to actively engage in spiritual warfare, trusting in God's strength to overcome adversaries. your enemies
The term "enemies" in Hebrew is "אֹיֵב" (oyeb), referring to those who oppose or are hostile. Historically, Israel faced numerous adversaries, from the Canaanite tribes to later empires. This promise is not just about physical foes but also represents spiritual and moral opposition. In a broader Christian context, "enemies" can symbolize sin, temptation, and the forces of evil. The assurance here is that with God, believers can confront and overcome these challenges, reflecting the New Testament teaching of victory in Christ. and they will fall
The phrase "will fall" comes from the Hebrew "נפל" (naphal), indicating a collapse or defeat. This is a promise of victory, not by human might but by divine intervention. The imagery of enemies falling suggests a complete and decisive triumph. Historically, this was seen in battles where Israel, against overwhelming odds, emerged victorious because of God's intervention. For Christians, this symbolizes the ultimate defeat of sin and death through Jesus Christ, offering hope and assurance of spiritual victory. by the sword
The "sword" in Hebrew is "חֶרֶב" (chereb), a common weapon in ancient warfare, symbolizing judgment and power. In the biblical context, the sword often represents God's judgment against unrighteousness. For Israel, it was a tool of divine justice, used to execute God's will against their enemies. In the New Testament, the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17) is the Word of God, emphasizing the power of Scripture in spiritual battles. This highlights the importance of God's Word as a weapon for believers to wield in their fight against spiritual darkness. before you
The phrase "before you" indicates a position of submission and defeat. In Hebrew, "לִפְנֵיכֶם" (lifneichem) suggests that the enemies will fall in the presence of the Israelites, underscoring God's promise of visible and undeniable victory. This assurance is meant to inspire confidence and faith in God's promises. For believers today, it serves as a reminder that God goes before us, ensuring that our spiritual battles are fought with His presence leading the way, providing peace and assurance of His ultimate victory. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God to whom the laws and promises in Leviticus were given. They were to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes. 2. EnemiesRefers to the adversaries of the Israelites, both physical and spiritual, who opposed God's people and His plans for them. 3. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a place of blessing and rest for the Israelites. 4. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai and communicated them to the people. 5. The CovenantThe agreement between God and the Israelites, where God promised blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. Teaching Points Obedience Brings VictoryThe promise of victory over enemies is contingent upon the Israelites' obedience to God's commands. In our lives, spiritual victories often follow our commitment to living according to God's Word. God's FaithfulnessJust as God promised to give the Israelites victory over their enemies, He remains faithful to His promises to us. We can trust Him to fight our battles. Spiritual WarfareWhile the Israelites faced physical enemies, we face spiritual ones. We are called to stand firm in faith, using the spiritual weapons God provides. Community and UnityThe promise was given to the community of Israel, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective obedience in experiencing God's blessings. Courage and ConfidenceKnowing that God is with us, we can face our challenges with courage and confidence, trusting in His power to overcome. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the promise in Leviticus 26:7 encourage you in your personal battles today? 2. In what ways can you apply the principle of obedience leading to victory in your spiritual life? 3. How does the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6 relate to the promise of overcoming enemies in Leviticus 26:7? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are living in obedience to God's commands? 5. How can you encourage your community or church to pursue unity and collective obedience to experience God's blessings? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, similar to the promises in Leviticus 26. Joshua 23Joshua reminds the Israelites of God's faithfulness in driving out their enemies, reinforcing the promise in Leviticus 26:7. Romans 8Paul speaks of believers being more than conquerors through Christ, echoing the victory over enemies promised in Leviticus. Ephesians 6The armor of God passage highlights the spiritual battle believers face, connecting to the idea of pursuing and overcoming enemies. People Egyptians, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, MosesPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Chase, Death, Enemies, Fall, Fallen, Flight, Pursued, Sword, SwordsDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 26:3-12 6703 peace, divine OT Leviticus 26:3-13 1349 covenant, at Sinai Leviticus 26:6-8 1335 blessing
5572 sword Leviticus 26:7-8 8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah Library Emancipated Slaves
I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.'--LEV. xxvi. 13. The history of Israel is a parable and a prophecy as well as a history. The great central word of the New Testament has been drawn from it, viz. 'redemption,' i.e. a buying out of bondage. The Hebrew slaves in Egypt were 'delivered.' The deliverance made them a nation. God acquired them for Himself, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureLii. Trust in God.
15th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. vi. 31. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." INTRODUCTION.--We read in ancient Roman history that a general named Aemilius Paulus was appointed to the Roman army in a time of war and great apprehension. He found in the army a sad condition of affairs, there were more officers than fighting men, and all these officers wanted to have their advice taken, and the war conducted in accordance with their several opinions. Then Aemilius Paulus …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent A Reformer's Schooling
'The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet
We shall now, in conclusion, give a survey of the third and closing discourse of the prophet. After an introduction in vi. 1, 2, where the mountains serve only to give greater solemnity to the scene (in the fundamental passages Deut. xxxii. 1, and in Is. 1, 2, "heaven and earth" are mentioned for the same purposes, inasmuch as they are the most venerable parts of creation; "contend with the mountains" by taking them in and applying to [Pg 522] them as hearers), the prophet reminds the people of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
The duty of Covenanting is founded on the law of nature; but it also stands among the arrangements of Divine mercy made from everlasting. The promulgation of the law, enjoining it on man in innocence as a duty, was due to God's necessary dominion over the creatures of his power. The revelation of it as a service obligatory on men in a state of sin, arose from his unmerited grace. In the one display, we contemplate the authority of the righteous moral Governor of the universe; in the other, we see …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings
THE following list contains the passages in the Old Testament applied to the Messiah or to Messianic times in the most ancient Jewish writings. They amount in all to 456, thus distributed: 75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiorgrapha, and supported by more than 558 separate quotations from Rabbinic writings. Despite all labour care, it can scarcely be hoped that the list is quite complete, although, it is hoped, no important passage has been omitted. The Rabbinic references …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 26:7 NIVLeviticus 26:7 NLTLeviticus 26:7 ESVLeviticus 26:7 NASBLeviticus 26:7 KJV
Leviticus 26:7 Commentaries
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