COMMENTARY FOR A PREVIOUS READ – SABBATH LESSON (2022)
ISRAEL’S PUNISHMENT AND RESTORATION
Scripture reading: Leviticus 26:1-31.
Memory verse: Luke 21:24.
1. What blessings and protection were promised to Israel if they obeyed the Lord? Leviticus 26:3-12.
2. If they failed to obey, what would be their punishment? Verses 14-17.
3. For what length of time would they be chastised? Verse 18.
4. What expression shows the severity of God’s judgment on them? Verses 19, 21, 24, 28.
Note. The multiple use of the expression “seven times” does not mean literally seven times. “Seven” in the Scriptures means completeness of their chastisement; thus this is used in an emphatic sense to express tire Completeness of their chastisement. The seven times (a day for a year — Ezekiel 4:5, 6) or 2,520 years, began with the Babylon captivity under Nebuchadnezzar in 606 B.C. (NOT 486 B C.), and ended with the evacuation of the Turks in PALESTINE under General Allenby in World War I, the year 1914.
5. During these years what was said of their land? Leviticus 26:31-35.
6. What would this severe punishment cause them to do? Verses 28, 29.
7. What other expressions are used to show the severity of their punishment? Jeremiah 31:27, 28.
8. During these years of captivity, how did they stand before God? Verses 35-37.
9. What is said of their identity among the nations during this time? Isaiah 61:9.
10. What is the real purpose of this affliction? Hosea 5:15.
11. Why should God not destroy them utterly during these years? Leviticus 26:44, 45.
12. What prophecy of David is now being fulfilled? Psalms 102:15, 16.
THE COMMENTARY
To fully understand this lesson,
1. Where it says time, it means one year. One year is 360 days. When we read Genesis, we find that the floods remained on earth for 150 days, which is said to be five months (See Genesis 7:11, 24; 8:3,4.)
2. So seven times means 360×7=2520days. And when we take one day to represent 1 year (Ezekiel 4:5, 6), then 2520 days is equal to 2520 years.
3. Judah was captured by Nebuchadnezzar in the year 606 BC (recall Daniel, Mishael, Hannaniah and Azzariah captivity). Correct the year to 606BC and not 486BC.
4. Note in 1914, the Ottoman Turks were evacuated from Palestine (the land of Israel) in the start of World War 1 in 1914. This culminated in the total takeover of Palestine by British Empire in December 1917.
5. Pause for a moment, ELOHIM punished Israelites (for their transgressions) for 2,520 years! A whooping 56 generations (taking one generation to be 45 years).
6. But He promised not to utterly destroy them
7. He is building Zion now. In preparation to truly RESTORE THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL. With Messiah as King to the whole world and Jerusalem as His Capital City. Messiah will rule the world, here on earth for 1000 years. After this 1000 years, then He will relinquish the reigns of Power to His Father, who will then rule forever.
8. As you read this lesson, note at how severe the punishment of Elohim is. Were it not for the shed blood of Messiah, none of us would ever attain the standards of holiness for Eternal life. Our Saviour’s sacrifice draws us near to Our Heavenly Father. His blood reconciles us to the Heavenly Father. We are counted worthy by the shed blood. And to confirm it, we are showered with the gift of Holy Spirit.
9. To understand how Jerusalem was to be trodden down by the gentiles till times of gentiles be fulfilled, a separate post is available, entitled: JERUSALEM TO BE TRODDEN DOWN BY GENTILES TILL GENTILE TIMES ARE OVER
10. Be blessed as you read this lesson.
Shabbat Shalom.
COMMENTARY by Bro Mutonga.
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