Leviticus 25:18
You are to keep My statutes and carefully observe My judgments, so that you may dwell securely in the land.
You are to keep
The Hebrew word for "keep" is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to guard, protect, or observe. This term implies a vigilant and active engagement with God's commandments. In the ancient Near Eastern context, keeping a covenant was akin to maintaining a sacred trust. For the Israelites, this was not merely a passive acknowledgment but an active, ongoing commitment to live in accordance with God's will. The call to "keep" underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience as foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

My statutes
The term "statutes" comes from the Hebrew "חֻקִּים" (chuqqim), which refers to decrees or ordinances that are divinely instituted. These are not just arbitrary rules but are seen as expressions of God's holy and unchanging nature. In the historical context of Leviticus, these statutes were given to set Israel apart as a holy nation, distinct from surrounding cultures. They were to be a reflection of God's character and a guide for righteous living.

and carefully observe
The phrase "carefully observe" translates the Hebrew "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to do, make, or execute. This emphasizes the meticulous and intentional practice of God's laws. It suggests a thorough and conscientious application of God's judgments in daily life. The Israelites were called to a high standard of diligence in their obedience, reflecting a heart fully devoted to God.

My judgments
"Judgments" is derived from the Hebrew "מִשְׁפָּטִים" (mishpatim), which refers to legal decisions or ordinances. These are the specific applications of God's law, often dealing with justice and ethical conduct. In the biblical context, God's judgments were seen as fair and righteous, providing a framework for societal order and personal morality. They were intended to ensure justice and equity within the community.

so that you may dwell
The phrase "dwell" comes from the Hebrew "יָשַׁב" (yashab), meaning to sit, remain, or inhabit. This word conveys a sense of stability and permanence. For the Israelites, dwelling in the land was not just about physical residence but about enjoying the fullness of God's promises and blessings. It implies a settled and secure life under God's provision and protection.

securely
The Hebrew word for "securely" is "לָבֶטַח" (labetach), which means in safety or confidence. This term reflects the peace and assurance that comes from living in accordance with God's will. In the ancient world, security was a rare and precious commodity, often threatened by external enemies and internal strife. God's promise of security was a profound assurance of His faithfulness and care for His people.

in the land
The phrase "in the land" refers to the Promised Land, a central theme in the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The land was not just a physical territory but a symbol of God's promise and blessing. It represented a place where God's people could live out their calling as a holy nation. The land was to be a place of rest, abundance, and divine presence, contingent upon the people's obedience to God's statutes and judgments.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God (Yahweh)
The speaker of the command, emphasizing His authority and covenant relationship with Israel.

2. Israelites
The recipients of the command, who are to obey God's statutes and judgments.

3. The Land of Canaan
The promised land where the Israelites are to dwell securely if they obey God's commands.

4. Moses
The mediator through whom God delivers His laws and statutes to the Israelites.

5. Sabbath Year and Jubilee
Contextual events in Leviticus 25, where God commands rest for the land and release of debts, illustrating trust in His provision.
Teaching Points
Obedience and Security
Obedience to God's statutes is directly linked to security and peace in life. Just as the Israelites were promised security in the land, believers today find spiritual security in following God's Word.

Trust in God's Provision
The context of the Sabbath Year and Jubilee teaches reliance on God's provision. Trusting God means believing He will provide even when we rest from our labors.

Holistic Observance
Observing God's commands involves both action and heart attitude. It's not just about external compliance but internal commitment to God's ways.

Covenant Relationship
The statutes and judgments are part of a covenant relationship. Our obedience is a response to God's faithfulness and love.

Application in Modern Life
While the specific laws of Leviticus may not apply directly, the principles of obedience, trust, and reliance on God are timeless and applicable in our daily walk with Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of dwelling securely in the land relate to our spiritual security in Christ today?

2. In what ways can we practice trusting God's provision in our lives, similar to the Sabbath Year and Jubilee?

3. How can we ensure that our obedience to God is both external and internal, reflecting a true heart commitment?

4. What are some modern-day "statutes and judgments" that God calls us to observe, and how can we apply them in our lives?

5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament reinforce the principles found in Leviticus 25:18?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 5:32-33
Reinforces the importance of walking in obedience to God's commands for a prosperous life.

Psalm 119:1-2
Highlights the blessings of following God's laws and seeking Him with all one's heart.

Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus affirms the importance of the Law and the Prophets, emphasizing obedience to God's commands.

Hebrews 4:9-11
Discusses the concept of rest, connecting the Sabbath rest to a spiritual rest in Christ.

James 1:22-25
Encourages believers to be doers of the Word, not just hearers, for a blessed life.
The Sabbatic YearJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 25:1-7, 18-22
A Sabbath of Rest unto the LandW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 25:2-55
Deliverance from SinHoward James.Leviticus 25:2-55
Freedom Through ChristT. De Witt Talmage.Leviticus 25:2-55
Jubilee GladnessJ. Cairns.Leviticus 25:2-55
Land Laws Among Other NationsM. M. Kalisch, Ph. D.Leviticus 25:2-55
Land TenureT. T. Munger.Leviticus 25:2-55
Laws of Trade-WagesHom. ReviewLeviticus 25:2-55
Lessons from the Sabbatical YearF. W. Brown.Leviticus 25:2-55
Liberty Through ChristRichard Newton, D. D.Leviticus 25:2-55
Man Need not Despair of -ProvidenceBp. Babington.Leviticus 25:2-55
Practical Reliance Upon GodIndian Witness.Leviticus 25:2-55
Released from DebtChristian AgeLeviticus 25:2-55
Results of Jubilee YearT. Guthrie, D. D.Leviticus 25:2-55
Sojourners with GodHomilistLeviticus 25:2-55
The Hebrew System of Land TenureR. Reid.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Joyful SoundC. S. Robinson, D. D.Leviticus 25:2-55
The JubileeHomilistLeviticus 25:2-55
The JubileeHomilistLeviticus 25:2-55
The Jubilee a Type of the GospelWm. Sleigh.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Jubilee Year: its Fourfold SignificanceW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Oppressor Rebuked and the Oppression RemovedC. F. S. Money, M. A.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Purpose of the Sabbatical YearM. M. Kalisch, Ph. D.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Resemblance Between the Year of Jubilee and the GospelT. B. Baker.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Sabbath of the FieldsH. Macmillan, D. D.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Sabbatic Year and JubileeJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Sinner's Chains are Self ForgedPreacher's Lantern.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Year of JubileeA. G. Brown.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Year of JubileeA. H. Currier.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Year of JubileeWalter Roberts, M. A.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Year of JubileeD. C. Hughes, M. A.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Year of JubileeT. Binney.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Year SabbathDr. Ide.Leviticus 25:2-55
What Shall We Eat the Seventh Year?A. G. Brown.Leviticus 25:2-55
The Year of JubileeR.A. Redford Leviticus 25:8-34
The JubileeR.M. Edgar Leviticus 25:8-55
Year of JubileeW. Clarkson Leviticus 25:8-55
Year of Jubilee: Ii. the World's RedemptionW. Clarkson Leviticus 25:8-55
Year of Jubilee: Iii. the Blessed KingdomW. Clarkson Leviticus 25:8-55
People
Israelites, Levites, Moses
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Mount Sinai
Topics
Careful, Carry, Confidently, Decisions, Decrees, Dwell, Dwelt, Judgments, Laws, Obey, Observe, Ordinances, Perform, Rules, Safe, Safely, Safety, Securely, Statutes, Thus, Wherefore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 25:18

     8454   obedience, to God

Leviticus 25:18-19

     4208   land, divine responsibility
     5511   safety
     8257   fruitfulness, natural

Leviticus 25:18-22

     4510   sowing and reaping

Leviticus 25:18-27

     4464   harvest

Library
Sojourners with God
'The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is Mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with Me.' --LEV. xxv. 23. The singular institution of the Jubilee year had more than one purpose. As a social and economical arrangement it tended to prevent the extremes of wealth and poverty. Every fiftieth year the land was to revert to its original owners, the lineal descendants of those who had 'come in with the conqueror,' Joshua. Debts were to be remitted, slaves emancipated, and so the mountains
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

God's Slaves
'For they are My servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as bondmen.' --LEV. xxv. 42. This is the basis of the Mosaic legislation as to slavery. It did not suppress but regulated that accursed system. Certainly Hebrew slavery was a very different thing from that of other nations. In the first place, no Jew was to be a slave. To that broad principle there were exceptions, such as the case of the man who voluntarily gave himself up to his creditor. But even
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Kinsman Redeemer
'After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him.'--LEV. xxv. 48. There are several of the institutions and precepts of the Mosaic legislation which, though not prophetic, nor typical, have yet remarkable correspondences with lofty Christian truth. They may be used as symbols, if only we remember that we are diverting them from their original purpose. How singularly these words lend themselves to the statement of the very central truths of Christianity--a slavery
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Boniface viii Ad 1294-1303.
PART I In Celestine's place was chosen Benedict Gaetani, who, although even older than the worn-out and doting late pope, was still full of strength, both in body and in mind. Benedict (who took the name of Boniface VIII) is said to have been very learned, especially in matters at law; but his pride and ambition led him into attempts which ended in his own ruin, and did serious harm to the papacy. In the year 1300 Boniface set on foot what was called the Jubilee. You will remember the Jubilee which
J. C. Roberston—Sketches of Church History, from AD 33 to the Reformation

The Kinsman-Redeemer
'Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of Hosts is His name: He shall thoroughly plead their cause.'--JER. l. 34. Among the remarkable provisions of the Mosaic law there were some very peculiar ones affecting the next-of-kin. The nearest living blood relation to a man had certain obligations and offices to discharge, under certain contingencies, in respect of which he received a special name; which is sometimes translated in the Old Testament 'Redeemer,' and sometimes 'Avenger' of blood. What the etymological
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Day of Atonement
Now, I shall invite your attention to the ceremonies of this solemn day, taking the different parts in detail. First, we shall consider the person who made the atonement; secondly, the sacrifice whereby the atonement was typically made; thirdly, the effects of the atonement; and fourthly, our behaviour on the recollection of the atonement, as well set forth by the conduct prescribed to the Israelites on that day. I. First, THE PERSON WHO WAS TO MAKE THE ATONEMENT. And at the outset, we remark that
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king,
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

Sin and Forgiveness Between Brethren.
(Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 15-35. ^a 15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [Having warned against giving offense, Jesus now shows how to act when offense is received. The fault is to be pointed out to the offender, but for the purpose of gaining him--not from a desire to humiliate him. The offended is to seek the offender, and the offender is likewise to seek the offended (Matt. xv. 23, 24),
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

"And the Redeemer Shall Come unto Zion, and unto them that Turn,"
Isaiah lix. 20.--"And the Redeemer shall come unto Zion, and unto them that turn," &c. Doctrines, as things, have their seasons and times. Every thing is beautiful in its season. So there is no word of truth, but it hath a season and time in which it is beautiful. And indeed that is a great part of wisdom, to bring forth everything in its season, to discern when and where, and to whom it is pertinent and edifying, to speak such and such truths. But there is one doctrine that is never out of season,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Baptism
Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them,' &c. Matt 28: 19. I. The way whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemptions, is, in the use of the sacraments. What are the sacraments in general? They are visible signs of invisible grace. Is not the word of God sufficient to salvation? What need then is there of sacraments? We must not be wise above what is written. It is God's will that his church
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

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

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