Leviticus 26:40-46 - Homilies By R.a. Redford

The gracious invitation to repentance.

The covenant may be restored. Even in the midst of the declarations of Divine sovereignty and government, long-suffering mercy meets "the earliest and faintest breathings of a broken and penitent spirit."

I. Confirm by history (see Judges and Kings). The restoration from Babylon. All consummated in Messiah.

II. The free grace of God is the foundation of hope; "I am the Lord their God;" "I will remember;" "for all that I will not cast them away" "of faith, that it might be by grace."

III. The forgiveness of God dependent on the fulfillment of declared conditions. "If they shall confess;" "if their uncircumcised heart be humbled."

1 . Spirituality of religion maintained from the beginning.

2 . The purpose and. end of all Divine chastisements to produce an acceptable state of heart.

3 . The true penitence was the true circumcision, in other words, it was a renewal of the covenant, therefore included faith and acceptance of the Divine revelation and ordinances, Repentance and faith are one in the higher light of the gospel, for they are both "toward" the covenant in Christ Jesus.—R.