Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Ye shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary as clear covenant duties required of God's people, standing together with making no idols and walking in His statutes and keeping and doing His commandments. By such obedience people on earth bear witness to His goodness. All the promises and blessings of the surrounding chapter are conditional upon that obedience, and His love and special promises do not excuse sin in an enlightened people nor guarantee favor while they disobey.
Obedience brings rain in due season, increase of land and trees, harvests reaching from threshing to vintage and from vintage to sowing, full bread, and safe dwelling in the land. Above all He sets His tabernacle among His people, does not abhor them, walks among them, and is their God while they are His people. Refusing to hear and do the commandments, despising the statutes, abhorring the judgments, and breaking the covenant brings terror, consumption and burning ague, failing eyes, sorrow of heart, sown seed eaten by enemies and vain sowing, defeat before enemies, rule by those who hate them, and flight when none pursues.
Israel's afflictions and subjection to hostile rulers were a fulfillment of those threatened curses for departure and iniquity. In the time of John the Jews were experiencing that curse while still claiming the promised blessings of obedience instead of humbling themselves. Profession without good works testifies against the disobedient, for fruit determines the character of the tree, and without fruit of good works they will be hewn down and cast into the fire.
The chapter is an admonition for people living at the end of the world. Its time of prophecy is nearly accomplished, and soon He whose right it is to reign will come to receive the kingdom and sit on the throne of His Father. The chapter should be read carefully because it plainly defines duty and warns against hard-heartedness, calling for brotherly love and practical care for a brother in need.
Ye shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary as clear covenant duties required of God's people, standing together with making no idols and walking in His statutes and keeping and doing His commandments. By such obedience people on earth bear witness to His goodness. All the promises and blessings of the surrounding chapter are conditional upon that obedience, and His love and special promises do not excuse sin in an enlightened people nor guarantee favor while they disobey.
Obedience brings rain in due season, increase of land and trees, harvests reaching from threshing to vintage and from vintage to sowing, full bread, and safe dwelling in the land. Above all He sets His tabernacle among His people, does not abhor them, walks among them, and is their God while they are His people. Refusing to hear and do the commandments, despising the statutes, abhorring the judgments, and breaking the covenant brings terror, consumption and burning ague, failing eyes, sorrow of heart, sown seed eaten by enemies and vain sowing, defeat before enemies, rule by those who hate them, and flight when none pursues.
Israel's afflictions and subjection to hostile rulers were a fulfillment of those threatened curses for departure and iniquity. In the time of John the Jews were experiencing that curse while still claiming the promised blessings of obedience instead of humbling themselves. Profession without good works testifies against the disobedient, for fruit determines the character of the tree, and without fruit of good works they will be hewn down and cast into the fire.
The chapter is an admonition for people living at the end of the world. Its time of prophecy is nearly accomplished, and soon He whose right it is to reign will come to receive the kingdom and sit on the throne of His Father. The chapter should be read carefully because it plainly defines duty and warns against hard-heartedness, calling for brotherly love and practical care for a brother in need.