OTC Devotion: Fast Track Week 8: Day 3

Too often, we breeze through Leviticus with it's detailed instruction of animal sacrifice and legal code. It is one of the most quoted books in the bible in the NT. The second half of the Great Commandments comes from Leviticus 19:18. It is a book where love, grace and mercy run through it like a golden thread in a large tapestry.

Look at Leviticus 26 for example. God begins by talking about the blessings of obedience. If Israel sticks to God's commands then they are promised abundant harvests (plenty of food), peace, prosperity and an intimate relationship with God. We make a mistake if we look at this like a parent bribing a child. It's God outlining the original blueprint to life. Following His direction was always meant to lead us to a good life and good relationships (that's the point of the Garden of Eden).

Even in the punishment for disobedience, grace is a constant thread. He states and restates: "if you still continue..." Notice the underlying grace. He's not saying, "Mess up once and its over." He's promising patience and faithfulness. The whole sacrificial system is installed to deal with the wrongs He knows they will commit.

God ends Leviticus 26 by saying He knows they will blow it big but He won't reject their relationship. He will still find the means to bring them back home and restore their relationship. They are never in a hopeless situation. They may have to endure hardship but God won't let them go.

Grace is a constant theme throughout the whole bible. You just have to know how to look for it. It's like my son who can spot an exotic car on the highway traveling 70 mph in the opposite direction. He sees it because he's looking for it. What are you looking for?