Lev 26:40-45 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Lev 26:40-45: 26:40-45 The chapter ends with a message of hope: Even after Israel violated the covenant and experienced judgment, reconciliation and restoration remained possible if the people confessed and repented (see study note on 4:20). God’s grace had not been taken away. God did not want to destroy his people; he would restore them if they would only humble themselves and repent (see also 2 Chr 7:14 ).

a26:40-45►

b2 Chr 7:14►

c26:41►

dGen 17:9-14►

eExod 4:25-26►

fDeut 10:16►

g30:6►

hJer 4:4►

iEzek 36:25-27►

j26:42►

kGen 15:18►

lGen 17:19►

mExod 2:24►

nDeut 9:4-5►

‏ Leviticus 26:40-45

Summary for Lev 26:40-45: 26:40-45 ^a The chapter ends with a message of hope: Even after Israel violated the covenant and experienced judgment, reconciliation and restoration remained possible if the people confessed and repented (see study note on 4:20). God’s grace had not been taken away. God did not want to destroy his people; he would restore them if they would only humble themselves and repent (see also 2 Chr 7:14 ^b).
26:41 ^c Physical circumcision of males was the mark of God’s covenant with Israel (Gen 17:9-14 ^d; Exod 4:25-26 ^e). Stubborn hearts (literally uncircumcised hearts) do not love God and demonstrate it by persistent disobedience. God promised to “circumcise” Israel’s uncircumcised hearts so that the people could love him (see also Deut 10:16 ^f; 30:6 ^g; Jer 4:4 ^h; Ezek 36:25-27 ⁱ).
26:42 ^j God had begun his covenant with Abraham (then called Abram, Gen 15:18 ^k) and continued it with Isaac (Gen 17:19 ^l) and Jacob (Exod 2:24 ^m). Jacob’s twelve sons were the ancestors of Israel’s twelve tribes. Israel’s liberation from Egypt and settlement in Canaan were based on God’s promises to their ancestors, not on the Israelites’ own virtues (Deut 9:4-5 ⁿ).