And I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance of the covenant. Though you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. I will bring a sword against youThe phrase "I will bring a sword against you" signifies divine judgment and warfare. In the Hebrew context, the "sword" (חֶרֶב, chereb) is often a symbol of war and destruction. It represents God's active intervention against His people due to their disobedience. Historically, the sword was a common instrument of warfare in ancient times, and its mention here underscores the severity of the consequences for breaking the covenant. This phrase serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which God views His covenant relationship with Israel. to execute the vengeance of the covenant
The term "vengeance" (נָקָם, naqam) in Hebrew conveys the idea of retribution or justice. "The vengeance of the covenant" implies that the consequences are not arbitrary but are directly tied to the covenantal agreement between God and Israel. This covenant, established at Sinai, included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (see Leviticus 26:3-24). The execution of vengeance is a fulfillment of the covenant's terms, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His word, both in blessing and in judgment. When you withdraw into your cities
This phrase paints a picture of retreat and defense. In ancient times, cities were fortified places of refuge during times of war. The act of withdrawing into cities suggests a defensive posture, indicating that the people are under siege. This imagery highlights the desperation and fear that accompany divine judgment. It also serves as a metaphor for spiritual retreat, where instead of turning to God, the people seek refuge in their own strength and resources. I will send a plague among you
The sending of a "plague" (דֶּבֶר, deber) is a direct action from God, often used in the Old Testament as a tool of judgment. Plagues were seen as divine interventions that demonstrated God's power and sovereignty. In the context of Leviticus, a plague represents a further escalation of judgment, moving from external threats to internal afflictions. This serves as a call to repentance, urging the people to recognize their dependence on God and the futility of relying on their own defenses. you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy
The phrase "delivered into the hand of the enemy" signifies complete defeat and subjugation. In Hebrew, the word "delivered" (נָתַן, natan) means to give or hand over. This indicates that God Himself is allowing the enemy to prevail as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness. Historically, this was realized in various captivities and oppressions faced by Israel. Spiritually, it serves as a warning of the dangers of turning away from God, leading to vulnerability and loss of divine protection. Persons / Places / Events 1. God- The speaker in this verse, who is addressing the Israelites and outlining the consequences of disobedience to His covenant. 2. Israelites- The recipients of God's message, who are warned about the repercussions of breaking the covenant. 3. Sword- Symbolizes war and conflict, representing divine judgment. 4. Cities- Places of refuge for the Israelites, which will become places of siege and plague if they disobey. 5. Enemy- Represents the foreign nations that will conquer and oppress the Israelites as a result of their disobedience. Teaching Points Covenant FaithfulnessThe importance of remaining faithful to God's covenant is paramount. Disobedience leads to severe consequences, as outlined in this passage. Divine JudgmentGod's judgment is not arbitrary but is a response to covenant unfaithfulness. Understanding this helps us grasp the seriousness of sin. Repentance and RestorationWhile this verse speaks of judgment, the broader context of Scripture emphasizes God's desire for repentance and restoration. Spiritual WarfareThe "sword" can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual battles we face. Staying aligned with God's will is crucial in overcoming these challenges. Community ResponsibilityThe collective nature of the covenant means that the community's actions affect everyone. This calls for mutual accountability and support in faithfulness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical context of Leviticus 26:25 enhance our comprehension of God's covenant with Israel? 2. In what ways do the themes of judgment and mercy in Leviticus 26 relate to the New Testament teachings on grace and repentance? 3. How can we apply the concept of covenant faithfulness in our personal and communal lives today? 4. What are some modern-day "swords" or challenges that might arise from straying from God's path, and how can we guard against them? 5. How does the idea of community responsibility in Leviticus 26:25 influence our approach to accountability within the church? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter also outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, reinforcing the covenantal theme. Jeremiah 34Describes a historical instance where the Israelites faced consequences for breaking the covenant, illustrating the fulfillment of warnings like those in Leviticus 26. Ezekiel 14Discusses the concept of divine judgment through sword, famine, and plague, echoing the themes of Leviticus 26:25. 2 Chronicles 36Chronicles the fall of Jerusalem, an event that exemplifies the fulfillment of the warnings given in Leviticus 26. People Egyptians, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, MosesPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Agreement, Avenge, Avengeth, Breaking, Bring, Cities, Covenant, Delivered, Disease, Effect, Enemy, Execute, Executing, Gather, Gathered, Hands, Haters, Midst, Pestilence, Plague, Punishment, Quarrel, Sword, Towns, Vengeance, Withdraw, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 26:25 1349 covenant, at Sinai Leviticus 26:14-39 5827 curse
6026 sin, judgment on Leviticus 26:23-25 5493 retribution Leviticus 26:23-26 4438 eating 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 26:25 NIVLeviticus 26:25 NLTLeviticus 26:25 ESVLeviticus 26:25 NASBLeviticus 26:25 KJV
Leviticus 26:25 Commentaries
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