DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For October 15, 2023 : Topic – CONDITIONS FOR BLESSINGS AND CURSES
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 82
CONDITIONS FOR BLESSINGS AND CURSES
Memory Verse: “If ye be Willing and obedient, ye Shall eat the good of the Land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured With the sword: for the Mouth of the LORD hath Spoken it” (Isaiah l:19,20).
TEXT: Leviticus 26:1-46
Today’s study deals with observance of the Sabbath, Reverence for God’s house, benefits of obedience, danger Of disobedience to the word of God, and warning against Idolatry. The promise of blessings was intended to lead the Children of Israel into obedience to the word of God while the Warning of divine judgment was to stop them from Disobedience which will eventually lead to suffering. However, in the midst of it all, the riches of God’s mercy stand Out, holding out forgiveness to anyone who in the past stood against God’s commandments but returns to God in Humility, repentance and faith in Christ (Leviticus 26:44,45).
PROMISES FOR THE OBEDIENT
Leviticus 26:3-13; Exodus 15:26; 23:22-27; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; John 15:16;
Hebrews 12:28
God has purpose for everything He does. Before He gives Promises to His children, He first give them commandments to obey. In our text, He gave commandments concerning Idolatry and observance of the Sabbath. “See, I have set Before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:15,19). There are two paths before Every youth: the path of obedience and the path of disobedience. He condemns all forms of Idolatry. “Ye shall Make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone In your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 26:1).
Question 1: Why should youths stay away from Idolatry?
Youths must flee idolatry because it is expressly forbidden And it gives the honour due God to idols. Today, idolatry in its Many forms and shades is still an ever-present danger Against Christian youths who desire to get to heaven. Youths Who are hero worshippers, carried away with the fashion of the world, love some specific sporting activities more than Attending fellowship, and those who are covetous are idol Worshippers. “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from Idolatry”. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 Corinthians 10;14; 1 John 5:21). Youths who persist in any Form of idolatry will end up in hell. Aside warning against idolatry in all its forms, it was Essential for preservation of true worship, proper observance of the Sabbath and reverence for the Lord’s house. “Ye shall Keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: for I am The LORD” (Leviticus 26:2). The Sabbath was meant to be a Sacred pause from routine labor in order to afford them the privilege of worship and rest. After the Lord’s resurrection, the early church began to observe the first day of the week as “the Lord’s day” instead of the seventh day (Revelation l:9- 11; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2). Except for the work of Mercy and to save lives, we are not to work on the Lord’s Day (Isaiah 58:13,14). “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the Saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are About him” (Psalm 89:7). As we come to worship God, we Must do it in humility and godly fear. We are called to Reverence God’s house (Leviticus 19:30), God’s name (Psalm 111: 9) and God’s word (Psalm 138:2). God promised to bestow upon them a variety of blessings, so long as they continue to obey Him. “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them” (Leviticus 26:3). As a faithful God, He is able to fulfill every promise He makes to His people. It pleases God when s people cheerfully obey His commandments. A humble, sincere and careful obedience to the word of God is more pleasing and acceptable to God than many burnt offerings and sacrifices. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Question 2: From our text, mention blessings God promised the children of Israel for their obedience to His commandments.
God promised the children of Israel that: (1) They would enjoy abundance of agricultural harvest resulting from divine outpourings of sufficient rain: (2) Their field would be fruitful throughout the year; (3) Their stock of old grains would still be plenty until the next harvest would bring in fresh supplies; (4) Their physical safety would be enriched with peace and absence of fear; (5) The land would not be infested by dangerous beasts; (6) They would have victory in the event of any war with their enemies; and (7) God would multiply and establish His covenant with them and give them great comfort of His presence always. From our text, we see that God rewards obedience and submission to His word by blessing us with all the good desires of our hearts. The promises of God cover all areas of our lives – spiritual, social, physical and academics.
Question 3: Identify areas you want God’s promises to be fulfilled in your life?
It is the will of God to bless us abundantly. The promises of God covers: Salvation From Sins (Micah 7:18,19), Sanctification Of The Heart (Deuteronomy 30:6), Spirit’s Baptism (Joel 2:26,29), Fruitfulness In Soul-winning And Service (Daniel 12:3), Security (Psalm 91:1-16), Provision (Philippians 4:19), Success In Examinations (Deuteronomy 28:13). Sound Wisdom And Understanding In All Things (2 Timothy 2 7), Supernatural Healing And Health (Exodus 15:26) and Success In All Endeavor (Matthew 6:33). “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
PUNISHMENT FOR THE DISOBEDIENT
Leviticus 26:14. 39; Deuteronomy 28:15-28, 58,59; 1 Kings 13:7-26; Isaiah 1:16-20
As God sets before the children of Israel blessings for their Obedience; in the sane way, He sets before them punishment For their disobedience. Disobedience is a great sin against the Almighty God. Disobedience is classified among sins such as Rebellion, stubbornness, witchcraft and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). In these last days, it is common to find youths disobey God, church leadership and their parents at will. “This know Also, that in the last days perilous times shall come for Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, Boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, Unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, Trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, Despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power Thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Disobedience begins with neglect of or improper attention to Instructions which degenerates into outright disobedience to God’s command.
Question 4: Mention specific areas where youths disobey God’s word.
Some specific areas youths disobey the word of God Include refusing to accept and believe in Christ (Acts 17:30). Disobedience to parents and church leaders (Ephesians 6:1- 3; Hebrews 13:17), disobedience to school authorities, etc. All these evils will attract the judgement of God. “Let us hear the Conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every Secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14). “I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eves, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall Sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. And will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies…” (Leviticus 26:16,17). The sin of disobedience brings punishment from God.
Question 5: What are the punishments for disobedience?
As Christian youths, if we are disobedient to the word of God, we lose fellowship with God, our names are removed from the book of life, the privilege of serving the Lord is withdrawn and if there is no repentance, hell will be the final end. Adam and Eve disobeyed the commandment of God and they were driven out of the Garden of Eden. Saul, the first king of Israel, was rejected as a king for failing to obey God’s command to execute judgment on the Amalekites. The young prophet was killed by a lion because of his disobedience (1 Kings 13:24-26). The only solution to avoid God’s judgment is repentance and a change of life (Isaiah 1:16-19). Christian youths are to pray for the grace of God for spiritual strength to defeat all temptations to disobey God.
PARDON FOR THE REPENTANT
Leviticus 26:40-46; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 3:19, 26; 17:30,31
“If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land” (Leviticus 26:40,42).
Question 6: What steps should a sinner and backslider Take to receive forgiveness and restoration?
In spite of the severity of God’s punishment, those who had been disobedient can turn those curses into blessings. This is Through the acknowledgment and confession of the sin of disobedience. Restoration to the blessings of God is Conditional. It is wonderful to note that our text ends with Gracious promises of the return of God’s favor to His people. If they genuinely repent of their disobedience, the Lord is ready to forgive and give a new life. “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the Transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in Mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all Their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18,19).