Throughout the Pentateuch, God vividly demonstrates His faithfulness to the covenant He establishes with humanity. We see His promises, His deliverance, and His instructions—each one underscoring a deep commitment to relationship. Leviticus 26:3-4 outlines the blessings tied to walking in His commandments: “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, 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.”Yet, in our modern context, this can often feel like an impossible standard.
Knowing our inherent inability to perfectly keep God’s commands by our own effort, we might be tempted to view this as unfair—a setup for failure that leads only to the wrath and punishment implied for breaking the covenant. It can seem as though we are destined to fall short, unable to receive the promised blessings.
However, just as the Sanctuary in ancient Israel provided a divinely ordained means for the nation to stand holy before God through sacrifice and atonement (a type of what was to come), the antitype, Christ Jesus, offers us a far greater privilege. Philippians 2:13 assures us, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” In this new covenant established through Christ, the burden of perfect obedience shifts. It is not solely on our faltering strength, but on the power of God working within us.
Through Christ, we are not left to face the impossible task of earning blessings through flawless obedience. Instead, He empowers our very desire and ability to live in accordance with His will, offering forgiveness when we stumble and the strength to rise again. The new covenant, therefore, is not a contract destined for failure, but a testament to God’s ultimate faithfulness. It provides not just a way to cover our shortcomings but the very power to live in joyful alignment with His heart.
Reflection:
Do you ever feel the weight of God’s commands and the sense of your own inadequacy? How does understanding Christ as the fulfillment of the Sanctuary’s purpose shift your perspective on your standing before God? Reflect on the phrase, “God who works in you, both to will and to work.”How does this truth alleviate the pressure of self-reliance in your spiritual walk?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, the contrast between the clear demands of Your law and my frail human nature can be daunting. I confess that I often feel the weight of my inability to perfectly obey, and at times, the blessings promised in Your Word seem unattainable. Thank You for revealing, through the Sanctuary and ultimately through Your Son, Jesus Christ, a different way—one that is not solely dependent on my flawed efforts.
Lord Jesus, I am deeply grateful that You are the antitype, the true means by which I can stand holy before God. Thank You for not just covering my failures but for Your Spirit working within me, giving me both the desire and the strength to live in a way that honors You. May I release the burden of self-reliance and embrace the freedom of knowing that Your grace is sufficient. Thank You for Your unfailing faithfulness in establishing this new covenant—a covenant of grace and empowerment.
In Your precious name, Amen.