Covenant 所立的约 (1–13).
God used the word covenant eight times in this chapter. It reminded the people of their special relationship with Him and the responsibilities belonging to that relationship. If they obeyed the terms of the covenant, they would remain in the Promised Land and enjoy His blessings. God does not promise material success to His new covenant people today, but He does promise to be with us and meet our every need.
神在本章用了“所立的约”这词约有8次。这提醒会众他们与神的特殊关系，和其中所包含的责任。如果他们遵守神立约的条件，他们将得以留在应许之地，并享受神的祝福。今天，神没应予许新约下的百姓世俗上的成功，但祂答应要与我们同在，并满足我们一切所需。
Chastening 管教 (14–39).
God’s covenant included both blessing and chastening, for God will not share His goodness with rebellious children. Enjoying the gifts while insulting the Giver is both selfish and idolatrous. We should obey God, not to “deserve” His blessings or even to avoid His chastening, but to show our love to Him and our desire to please His heart.
神的约包括祝福和惩罚，因为神不会与叛逆的孩子分享自己的善良。享受礼物的同时却侮辱那位赐下礼物的，既自私又盲目。我们必须顺服神，但其目的不是为了得到“应得”的祝福，也不是为避开神的管教。我们顺服是为了表明对神的爱，并乐意讨祂的喜悦。
Confession 认罪 (40–46).
A gracious God always leaves the door open for restoration. That is one loving purpose of His chastening hand (Heb. 12:1–13). The people may break their promises to God (v. 15), but God will never break His promises to His people (v. 44). God forgets our sins but remembers His covenant! This is not an excuse for sin, but it is an encouragement for sinners to repent and return to the Lord.
一位满有恩典的神总希望我们会与祂和好。这就是祂管教我们背后的用心和爱意（来12:1-13）。人可以违背向神所许的愿（15节），但神却从不违背祂对子民所赐下的应许（44节）。神能不记念我们的罪，但却牢记自己所立的约！这不能成为我们犯罪的借口，而是要鼓励罪人悔改，归向耶和华。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- In Leviticus 26, to obey God is to “walk in His statutes” (v. 3), but to disobey Him is to “walk contrary” to the Lord and despise His statutes (vv. 15, 21, 23–24, 27–28, 40–41). The word translated “contrary” means “a hostile meeting with the intention of fighting.” If I’m walking one direction and God is walking another, I’m moving away from His presence; and God isn’t about to change His direction! If I continue to walk contrary to Him, I’m going to have serious problems; for “can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) Let’s pray that we will walk with Him.
在利未记26章中，顺服神就是“遵行祂的律例”（3节），但违背神是在鄙视主的律例、“背弃” 祂（15，21，23-24，27-28，40-41节）。“背弃”这词意思是“有意对抗的敌对”。如果我走向一方而神走向另一方，我便逐渐远离了祂；但，神不会改变祂的方向！如果我继续与主背驰，我将面临严重的问题，因为“二人若不同心，岂能同行呢？”（摩3:3）请祷告，叫我们会与主同行。
- “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb. 12:6; see Prov. 3:11–12). Israel’s special relationship to Jehovah brought with it the obligation to obey His voice and glorify His name. “You only have I known [chosen] of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities” (Amos 3:2). Privilege brings with it responsibility, and no nation has enjoyed more spiritual privileges from the Lord than the people of God. Let’s thank God for His love.
“因为主所爱的，他必管教，又鞭打凡所收纳的儿子”（来12:6；见箴3:11-12）。以色列与耶和华特殊的关系随之带来的是听从神、荣耀祂名的义务。“在地上万族中，我只认识你们；因此，我必追讨你们的一切罪孽。”（摩3:2）。特权总与责任相并，而再也没有国家能比神子民所享受的属灵特权更多了。让我们感谢神对我们的爱。
- Even in the worst situations, however, there is always hope; for the Lord is “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Ex. 34:6–7). His covenant with His people never changes; and if we confess our sins and repent, He will forgive and restore (Lev. 26:40; 1 Kings 8:33–34; Neh. 9:2; 1 John 1:9).
即使在最糟的情况下，我们还是有希望的，因主“是有怜悯有恩典的神，不轻易发怒，并有丰盛的慈爱和诚实，为千万人存留慈爱，赦免罪孽、过犯，和罪恶”（出34：6-7）。祂与子民所立的约永不改变。我们若承认自己的罪并悔改，祂必赦免并与我们和好（利26:40；王上8:33-34；尼9:2；约一1:9）。
