Leviticus 26:3-6
3 If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, 4 then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. 6 I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land.
Reflection: The Goodness of God
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro
Oh boy…. I grew up in a church environment where I seldom heard about the goodness of God. Now, anytime I write about my past I feel like I should offer the caveat that it is possible that I was not paying good enough attention. But to my mind, the heavy emphasis was on the judgment of God and his holiness. We should, of course, bear in mind these things… that God is holy and just. Furthermore, if there is a fire coming, one would be wise to know about it and buy fire insurance. However, we should not tun to God primarily because of the impending judgment or fire. We are reminded that “the goodness of God leads people to repentance.” At least this is the opening rational for our coming to Christ… that he is good.
Leviticus 26 describes to the Children of Israel how God’s goodness will be displayed if they stay faithful to him. This is the opening rational… a litany of wonderful blessings for God’s people if they stay faithful. God offers prosperity of resources, harvest, security, calm, protection and peace. The chapter continues with a cascade of blessings promised if they simply remain faithful. This is the opening salvo. Later in the chapter we read a barrage of negative consequences if they do not remain faithful. That list is as dreadful as the former list is wonderful. Nevertheless, I note that coming to God is at first invitational. God beckons and woos his people with his goodness. Only after the goodness of God invites us does the severe warning come. I contend that my church upbringing reversed the order: emphasize judgment… and sprinkle in a good God. While both (God’s goodness and judgment) must be clearly stated, we are wise to do as God does… emphasize the goodness of God and then warn people of the consequences of rejecting God. Let me know if you agree!
Prayer
God in Heaven, you are good and holy and just. May we be wise stewards of rightly balancing how we extol all of your virtues, while affirming your goodness.
