Justin Houtz

Leviticus 26, Acts 27

DateVersionReading Plan
April 26, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Leviticus 26

Observation

In the first portion of the chapter (Lev. 26:1-13), the LORD through Moses gives commands for the people to live in obedience to Him. If they walked in the LORD’s statutes (not make/worship idols, keep His Sabbaths and reverence His sanctuary), He would give them rain in their seasons, trees would yield their fruit, there would be peace in the land and they would chase their enemies. However, if they would not listen to the LORD nor do all of these commandments and instead spurn and abhor them and break the covenant, the LORD would visit them with wasting disease, panic, enemy rule, vain sowing of fields, livestock-destroying beasts, pestilence and the like (Lev. 26:14-39).

But, if the people confessed of their treachery against the LORD, humbling their uncircumcised hearts and made amends for their iniquity, the LORD would remember His covenant with Jacob, Isaac and Abraham and remember the land. For their sake, He would remember the covenant with their forefathers whom He brought out of the land of Egypt that He might be their God (Lev. 26:40-45). The final verse is a summary statement that these were the statutes, rules and laws that the LORD made between Himself and His people through Moses on Mount Sinai (Lev. 26:46).

Application

The BBC points out some important details on these sections:

Twice as much space is devoted to warning as to blessing in this chapter. Adversity, the promised fruit of disobedience, is a tool which God uses, not to inflict revenge but to lead His people to repentance (vv. 40–42). National chastisement would be increasingly severe until the people confessed their iniquity.

It can be difficult to read of what adversity will arise from disobedience to God, but as the BBC necessarily illuminates, this is to lead the hearts of God’s people to contrition and repentance. How often it is that the things most challenging for us to hear are the most needful.

Acts 27

Observation

It was decided that they would set sail for Italy. They sailed with difficulty and Paul told them that he perceived that the voyage would be with injury and much loss, both of the ship’s cargo and their lives (Acts 27:10). But the centurion listened more to the pilot and owner of the ship than he did to Paul (Acts 27:11). Because the harbor was not suitable for spending the winter, the majority decided to set sail in the hopes of reaching Crete (Acts 27:12).

They thought they had obtained their purpose, but then a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. Being violently storm-tossed, they jettisoned cargo and the ship’s tackle. Having at this point being without food for some time, Paul told them that they should have listened to him and set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss (Acts 27:22). Paul then urged them to take heart, that there would be no loss of life among them, but only the ship. He told them that an angel of the God to whom he belonged told him not to be afraid but that they must run aground on some island (Acts 27:26).

Around midnight, the sailors suspected they were nearing land and took successive soundings of water depth (Acts 27:28). Fearing that they may run on the rocks, they let down the anchor and prayed for day to come (Acts 27:29). The sailors sought to escape, lowering the ships boat into the sea, but Paul compelled the centurion and soldiers that unless they stayed with the ship they would not be saved (Acts 27:22). The soldiers then cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go (Acts 27:32).

As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food as it would give them strength and that not a hair from their head would perish (Acts 27:33-34). Paul took bread, gave thanks to God in their presence, broke it and began to eat (Acts 27:35). The men ate, were encouraged and, after eating enough, lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea (Acts 27:38).

When it was day, they noticed a beach and worked toward running the ship ashore (Acts 27:39). However, in doing so they struck a reef, ran the vessel aground and ship began to break up (Acts 27:41). The soldier’s plan was to kill the prisoners before they could swim away and escape but the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan, wishing to save Paul (Acts 27:43). The centurion ordered those who could swim to make for the land, the rest on planks and pieces of the ship and all were brought safely to land (Acts 27:43-44).

Application

Paul’s breaking of bread and giving thanks to God in the presence of all on the ship is remarkable. Commentators point out that Paul set an example for public prayer and for thanking God for providing food and safety (FSB, BBC). These men were in the midst of suspense and had been without food, so one could only imagine how encouraging was this gesture by Paul. It is when things are most dire that we tend to clam up in self-preservation, but these are the times in which we should most direct our focus on the Lord’s goodness and provision, to be reminded that He is our strength and our portion forever.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You provide through Your Word what awaits the wicked and disobedient. Father, by Your Spirit, guide Your children to earnest desire for obedience and work in our hearts to conform us ever more to the image of Your Son. How wonderful it is that You are with us through ever storm, carrying us through and bringing to completion every good work You begin within us.

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