I will reduce your cities to rubble and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will refuse to smell the pleasing aroma of your sacrifices. I will reduce your cities to ruinsThis phrase is a stark warning from God about the consequences of disobedience. The Hebrew word for "reduce" (שָׁמֵם, shamem) conveys a sense of desolation and astonishment. Historically, this reflects the fate of cities like Jerusalem when the Israelites turned away from God. The ruins serve as a physical manifestation of spiritual decay, reminding us that without God, even the mightiest cities can fall. and lay waste your sanctuaries
The term "sanctuaries" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash) refers to holy places set apart for worship. In the context of ancient Israel, this would include the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. The destruction of these sacred spaces signifies a severe breach in the relationship between God and His people. It underscores the idea that true worship is not about the physical location but the heart's condition. and I will refuse to smell the pleasing aromas of your offerings
The "pleasing aromas" (רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ, reyach nichoach) are a recurring theme in Levitical sacrifices, symbolizing God's acceptance of offerings. The refusal to "smell" these aromas indicates a rejection of insincere worship. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the sense of smell was associated with divine favor. This phrase serves as a powerful reminder that God desires genuine devotion over ritualistic compliance. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe speaker in this verse, expressing His judgment and the consequences of Israel's disobedience. 2. IsraelitesThe recipients of the message, God's chosen people who are warned about the consequences of their actions. 3. CitiesRepresents the dwelling places of the Israelites, which will be reduced to ruins as a result of their disobedience. 4. SanctuariesThe holy places where the Israelites worship God, which will be laid waste due to their unfaithfulness. 5. OfferingsThe sacrifices made by the Israelites, which God will no longer accept or find pleasing. Teaching Points The Seriousness of DisobedienceThis verse highlights the severe consequences of turning away from God. It serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness. The Holiness of WorshipGod desires genuine worship from His people. Empty rituals and offerings are not pleasing to Him if they are not accompanied by a sincere heart. God's Sovereignty and JusticeThe verse underscores God's authority to judge and His commitment to justice. It reminds us that God is both loving and just. The Importance of RepentanceThe rejection of offerings signifies the need for true repentance. God desires a contrite heart over mere ritualistic practices. Hope in RestorationWhile this verse speaks of judgment, it also points to the possibility of restoration through repentance and returning to God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Leviticus 26:31 reflect the character of God in terms of justice and holiness? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship and offerings to God are genuine and pleasing to Him? 3. How do the themes of judgment and restoration in Leviticus 26 relate to the New Testament teachings on repentance and forgiveness? 4. What are some modern-day "sanctuaries" or practices that might become empty rituals if not accompanied by true faith? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Leviticus 26:31 to our personal lives and communities today, especially in terms of obedience and repentance? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, similar to the themes in Leviticus 26. Jeremiah 7The prophet Jeremiah speaks about the futility of offerings when the heart is far from God, echoing the rejection of offerings in Leviticus 26:31. Isaiah 1God expresses His disdain for empty rituals and offerings when they are not accompanied by genuine faith and obedience. Ezekiel 5Describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, fulfilling the warnings given in Leviticus 26. Hebrews 10Discusses the insufficiency of sacrifices without true repentance and faith, pointing to Christ as the ultimate sacrifice. People Egyptians, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, MosesPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Aroma, Aromas, Bring, Cities, Delight, Desolate, Desolation, Destruction, Fragrance, Fragrances, Holy, Lay, Odors, Odours, Offerings, Perfumes, Places, Pleasing, Pleasure, Ruins, Sanctuaries, Savor, Savour, Smell, Soothing, Sweet, Towns, WasteDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 26:31 5183 smell
5830 delight
6232 rejection of God, results
7438 sanctuary Leviticus 26:14-39 5827 curse
6026 sin, judgment on Leviticus 26:27-33 5508 ruins Leviticus 26:27-35 7520 dispersion, the Leviticus 26:27-42 6702 peace, destruction Leviticus 26:30-31 7442 shrine Leviticus 26:31-33 5979 waste
8840 unfaithfulness, to God 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 26:31 NIVLeviticus 26:31 NLTLeviticus 26:31 ESVLeviticus 26:31 NASBLeviticus 26:31 KJV
Leviticus 26:31 Commentaries
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