Holiness: Israel was to be God’s holy people.[1] As the LORD was holy, so they were to be holy (19:2). This meant separation from the practices of the nations both in moral issues of sexuality, idolatry, and civility as well as non-moral issues of diet and culture. In every way they were to be distinct from the pagan nations around them.[2] Moreover, God ordained that they live by His ordinances. Each year they were to celebrate His feasts as He ordained them. Their land transactions were to be governed by His laws of Jubilee. This was God’s call to holiness both in separation and dedication. But Israel rejected the purpose of God and continued in their rebellion for a long time (Is. 64:5), even unto the days of Christ (Luke 7:30). But where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded.[3]

Reward: God promised a just retribution for disobedience (26:14-17). If they chose rebellion, the land would spew them out even as it did with the pagan nations (18:26-28; 20:22). If they stubbornly refused to repent, they would be punished sevenfold (26:18, 21, 23-24, 27-28). The wages of sin were severe. But God also promised a spectacular reward for obedience: a fruitful and secure land (26:4-8), a great nation (26:9), and the presence of God in their midst (26:11-12). But Israel continued to rebel despite the many prophets God sent them (Jere. 7:25-26). But the Savior obeyed and He thus inherited all the blessings of God.[4] And as our Savior, He took that which was His and shared them with us, His beloved people (Mt. 5:5; Lk. 22:29; Jn. 14:2-3; Rev. 21:3).

[1] What the LORD said in 11:44-45 (“I am the LORD your God”), He repeats 20 times in these chapters.

[2] Cf. 18:3-5, 26; 20:22-23.

[3] Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law (Matt. 3:17; 5:18-19; Gal. 4:4) which Israel miserably failed to carry out (Matt. 23:2-3; John 5:45; 7:19; Acts 7:53; Rom. 2:23-24).

[4] Cf. Psalm 2:8; Daniel 7:14; John 8:29; Heb. 9:24.