Leviticus 26:14-39 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Prophetic maledictions.

The promises of God are prophecies of good; so are his threatening prophecies of evil. Prophecy, therefore, gives no countenance to fatalism, since it is made to depend upon conditions. God may, therefore, repent him of evils threatened, viz. when sinners repent of the sin that provoked him. So long as the Hebrews were faithful to their God, they found him faithful in mercy; when they rebelled, they found him no less faithful in judgment. What a commentary upon the verses before us is the history of the Israelites! Let us review—

I. THE JUDGMENTS DENOUNCED AGAINST THEM IN THEIR LAND . For their rebellion:

1 . They were to be visited with plagues.

2 . They were to suffer from invasion.

3 . They were to encounter the anger of their God.

4 . Their obstinacy was to bring upon them aggravated evils.

II. THOSE DENOUNCED AGAINST THEM IN THE LANDS OF THEIR CAPTIVITY .

1 . They were to be scattered amongst the heathen ( Leviticus 26:33 ).

2 . The sword was to/follow them there.

3 . They were to suffer astonishment (verses 36-39).

4 . Their sufferings were to be protracted.

5 . Meanwhile their land was to lie desolate (verses 31-35).