Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Carrot and Stick
Read Leviticus 26:1-46

I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. Leviticus 26:12

Gong xi fa cai (wishing you prosperity)! Xin nian ping an (wishing you a peaceful New Year)! These are two popular greetings we hear during the Chinese New Year. I have also come across bu bu gao sheng (promotion at every step) usually said at birthdays, wishes for childbearing (said at weddings), and others. These express the desires of the human heart.

Our God is a master of exhortation. He promised rich blessings for Israel if she obeyed His commands. The blessings – wealth (good harvests), peace, children and dignity – corresponded exactly to those above! The ultimate blessing for the children of Israel, however, was that God would walk among them and be their God. This formed the basis of all other blessings.

Then came the warning. Disobedience would ‘attract’ a long list of curses, described in detail. This ‘imbalance’ was typical in Near Eastern treaties of that day, which were used as a format for the ‘treaty’ between God and Israel. Yet, the objective of punishment was discipline. The Hebrew for ‘scatter’ (v 33) literally meant ‘winnow’. Exile would separate the wicked (chaff) from the remnant, which would be restored following repentance.

The concept of blessing and punishment remains valid for Christians. God promises to provide our daily bread if we obey Him. If we are disobedient, He disciplines us like a loving Father. Yet many righteous Christians see much hardship and persecution in this life. They are to rejoice in their spiritual blessings and wait patiently for their rewards.

Matthew 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Renew your covenant with God. Thank Him for His blessings and submit to His discipline.