In this message, Under the Law: Israel’s Five Courses of Punishment (Pt. 1), we begin a focused study of Leviticus 26:14–46, examining God's covenant with the nation of Israel and the five progressive courses of punishment outlined under the Law. This introductory message lays the historical and biblical foundation, tracing the origin of Israel’s national calling from Genesis 12 through their deliverance from Egypt and their decision at Mount Sinai to enter into a performance-based covenant with the LORD. Emphasizing the vital “If/Then” principle of the Law, the message shows how Israel’s choice to pursue blessing through their own works sets the stage for the conditional blessings and curses detailed in Leviticus 26. This passage not only reveals a prophetic framework for Israel’s history but also enhances our understanding of much of the Old Testament. Whether this is your first exposure to the topic or a needed refresher, this teaching aims to deepen your appreciation for God's dealings with Israel and the importance of rightly dividing His Word.

In this message, Under the Law: Israel’s Five Courses of Punishment (Pt. 2), we explore the key terminology in Leviticus 26:14–46 that frames Israel's covenantal relationship with God and the progressive nature of His disciplinary dealings with them under the Law. Building on the historical and theological context established in Part 1, this teaching focuses on the performance-based “If/Then” principle that governed Israel’s blessings or punishments in the land God gave them. Special attention is given to the repeated references to "the land," which underscore the central role of territory in Israel’s calling and covenantal accountability. We also introduce and define the concept of the Five Courses of Punishment, drawn from the text’s structured use of the phrase “seven times more,” which signals increasing levels of chastisement. These escalating stages reflect Israel’s ongoing failure under the Law and serve to bring them, ultimately, to humility and a renewed dependence on the name of the LORD. Despite the severity of the judgments, the passage ends with hope: God's faithfulness to His unconditional covenant with Abraham will prevail. This message lays crucial groundwork for understanding how God’s justice and grace unfold across Israel’s history.

In this message, we outline the five courses of punishment as presented by our primary text and discuss the key details associated with each course.  The design of the message is to simply lay out what the law prescribes as the successive punishments Israel should expect through disobedience to the law.  The path forward is grim, but such is always the case when the LORD must deal with man according to his works.  In Israel we learn the futility of attempting to commend ourselves to God on the basis of our ability to perform.  Sinners always come short of the glory of God!  The only hope for Israel is in the name of the LORD.

In this message, we dive into the first course of punishment from a historical perspective.  After a brief recap of the intervening history between Sinai and entrance into the land under Joshua, we examine the fundamental failures that led to the arrival of the first course.  Joshua's generation served the LORD, but not without flaws.  They made mistakes and failed in key areas that led to problems in the following generation.  With the new generation in the land and the incomplete victories still having their effect upon them, Israel succumbs to the idolatry that surrounds them.  When the transgress the law, the prescribed punishments begin to roll in.  Examining details surrounding this topics is the primary subject of this hour of study.

In this message, we dive Israel's failures during the first course of punishment and look at the historical timeline of scripture to discern that what happens following is not totally according to expectation per the law.  The law said that if the first course did not cause Israel to return to the LORD, then the expectation should be the intensified arrive of the second course.  This, of course, is not what took place right away.  Instead, an 80-100 year period of unprecedented prosperity & blessing is poured out upon Israel.  How can this be, seeing they are just as sinful and rebellious and incapable of keeping the law as ever?  The answer is found in the reserve clause that the LORD provided for in the law whereby He may deal with them different (for a time) than what the law says that they deserve.  The importance of this in relation to the reigns of David & Solomon are explored as we behold the glory of the goodness of the LORD in His grace and truth.

In this message, we wrap up the final details of the Intermission of Mercy during the reigns of David & Solomon and begin considering the failures of Solomon that leads Israel back into the second course of punishment.  The days of glory enjoyed by Israel begin to rapidly deteriorate near the end of Solomon's life and the troubles seeded during his reign begin to sprout into the full arrival of the second course.  Join us as we explore these topics and relate them back to the primary passage of the series.  In all this, we see the LORD's word working itself out in time; not haphazardly, but according to everything laid out in the law contract. 

In this message, we survey Israel's response to the second course of punishment and evaluate this against the trigger specified in the law that would bring the third; namely, the issue of Israel walking contrary to the LORD.  Through a series of views that we are given into the activities of the time, we can clearly see that Israel is still not being reformed by the chastisements.  Consequently, the third must come; and so it does in the days of Elisha.  Study with us as we examine these important topics.