艾倫是第五代果農，負責管理自家的櫻桃、桃子和蘋果園。多年來，他和家人不斷精進種植果樹的技巧，並獲得了最高產量。他們精心培育樹苗為將來做好準備，架設防鹿的圍欄，並投資購買特殊的風扇，以便在霜凍威脅作物時，保持空氣溫暖。儘管如此，他們仍無法保證豐收。無論是天氣、授粉昆蟲和病蟲害等因素，都不是他們能夠掌控的。

然而，整個自然界盡在上帝的掌控之中。祂知道我們需要物質上的供給，比如良好的農作物，但祂鼓勵我們將目光放得更高，仰望那至極的美善，也就是祂自己。利未記詳述上帝賜給以色列人的律例典章，涵蓋獻祭、敬拜、人際關係，甚至刑事審判等諸多領域。遵守上帝的指示會帶來祝福，包括得著豐收的供應（26章3-4節），但悖逆就會招致咒詛，由敵人享受他們的勞動成果（16節）。上帝的賜福遠不只是豐收（10節），還包括要與祂的子民同住的應許（11節），並且要「眷顧」他們（9節）。

以色列民一次又一次地犯錯，而我們也是如此。但我們可以悔改、順服並且回轉，再次享受上帝同在的恩典（40-42節）。祂同在的恩典已在耶穌裡完全彰顯，如今仍藉著聖靈臨到我們。

Alan is a fifth-generation fruit farmer who manages his family’s cherry, peach, and apple orchard. Over the years, his family has perfected growing trees with maximum yield. They’ve carefully planted saplings for the future, put up a deer fence, and invested in special fans that help keep the air warm when frost threatens their crops. Even so, they’re never assured of a good harvest. Factors like weather, pollinators, and disease are beyond their control.

Yet all of nature is under God’s control. He knows we need physical provision like healthy crops, but He encourages us to look even higher to the ultimate good—Himself. The book of Leviticus contains decrees that God gave the Israelites governing everything from sacrifice and worship to relationships and criminal justice. Obeying His direction would lead to blessing, including provision of a bountiful harvest (26:3-4), but disobedience would result in a curse, where their enemies would enjoy the fruit of their labor (v. 16). More than just plentiful crops (v. 10), God’s blessing included a promise to dwell with His people (v. 11) and look on them “with favor” (v. 9).

The Israelites messed up again and again. So will we. But we can repent, submit, and turn back again to enjoy the gift of His presence (vv. 40-42), manifested in Jesus and now expressed through the Holy Spirit.