There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
The teachings in Exodus 19-24 were given to Moses in the mount, written in a book to guard against doing injustice and to guide people in dealing with one another, and they were given by Christ Jesus Himself, the same Teacher who gave the directions on Mount Sinai and who afterward spoke in human flesh. Exodus 23:26 belongs to that body of instruction from the Word that men are to obey.
The verse stands within the promise of Exodus 23:22-28 that if Israel obeyed, God would go before them and fight for them by sending hornets to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan. That promise belonged to Israel's first approach to the land, when its peoples were not yet widely prepared to resist.
In the land God gives Israel no pregnancy will miscarry and none will be barren, with healthy births and fertility, and God will bring each person to the full appointed measure of days. These are among the blessings pledged under the covenant's conditions of obedience. Fertility and a fulfilled lifespan belong to the promised benefits of obedience in Israel's covenant relationship with God.
The promise is conditional on obedience under the covenant, on keeping God's statutes and commandments and honoring Him as Ruler. Teaching and keeping the commandments is the condition for His promised reward and relationship with His people. Obedience was the condition for being established in Canaan as a pure, happy, and holy people.
In its immediate context the promise also includes removal of disease, so that there is no feeble person among the tribes. The teachings including this verse are to be studied and presented before the people now just as verily as they were needed by the children of Israel in the days of Moses. This is to be done with all contention ceasing and with brethren loving one another with softened and subdued hearts.
The fact that Christ is healer does not remove the need to restrict animal appetites under this conditional promise. Following self-chosen ways instead of God's conditions dishonors God and brings sickness, disease, and plagues.
The teachings in Exodus 19-24 were given to Moses in the mount, written in a book to guard against doing injustice and to guide people in dealing with one another, and they were given by Christ Jesus Himself, the same Teacher who gave the directions on Mount Sinai and who afterward spoke in human flesh. Exodus 23:26 belongs to that body of instruction from the Word that men are to obey.
The verse stands within the promise of Exodus 23:22-28 that if Israel obeyed, God would go before them and fight for them by sending hornets to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan. That promise belonged to Israel's first approach to the land, when its peoples were not yet widely prepared to resist.
In the land God gives Israel no pregnancy will miscarry and none will be barren, with healthy births and fertility, and God will bring each person to the full appointed measure of days. These are among the blessings pledged under the covenant's conditions of obedience. Fertility and a fulfilled lifespan belong to the promised benefits of obedience in Israel's covenant relationship with God.
The promise is conditional on obedience under the covenant, on keeping God's statutes and commandments and honoring Him as Ruler. Teaching and keeping the commandments is the condition for His promised reward and relationship with His people. Obedience was the condition for being established in Canaan as a pure, happy, and holy people.
In its immediate context the promise also includes removal of disease, so that there is no feeble person among the tribes. The teachings including this verse are to be studied and presented before the people now just as verily as they were needed by the children of Israel in the days of Moses. This is to be done with all contention ceasing and with brethren loving one another with softened and subdued hearts.
The fact that Christ is healer does not remove the need to restrict animal appetites under this conditional promise. Following self-chosen ways instead of God's conditions dishonors God and brings sickness, disease, and plagues.