Statutes Rules Laws הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֮ וְהַתּוֹרֹת֒

We are in chapter twenty-six of Leviticus with our word for today which is a phrase made up of three words. הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֮ וְהַתּוֹרֹת֒ the statutes, and rules and laws. Although our phrase is only used this once in our chapter today we find these words together translated in the same way 11 times in the Old Testament. Let’s start with our chapter since it is the first time we find our words together in our phrase in the Bible. Leviticus 26:46 These are הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֮ וְהַתּוֹרֹת֒ the statutes and rules and laws that the Lord made between himself and the people of Israel through Moses on Mount Sinai. This is first of two summaries of the book of Leviticus which is in the second to the last chapter of the book. Our three words interpret all the previous details as guiding the people in their relationship YWHW (reality God, true God). We see our phrase used in the same way through out the Old Testament. We also see our three words together used by David in his last words to his son Solomon. 1 Kings 2:1-3 When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping חֻקֹּתָ֤יו his statutes, his commandments, וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֣יו his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written בְּתוֹרַ֣ת in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn. Notice the benefit of prospering tied to following God’s direction. In our next use of our three words together as the explanation why God allowed Assyria to come in and destroy the tribes of Israel. 2 Kings 17:34, 37 They do not fear the Lord, and they do not follow כְּחֻקֹּתָם֙ וּכְמִשְׁפָּטָ֔ם וְכַתּוֹרָ֣ה the statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the Lord commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel … And the statutes and the rules and the law and the commandment that he wrote for you, you shall always be careful to do. You shall not fear other gods, and you shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you … However, they would not listen. In our next use of our three words together they are used as part of Jehoshaphat’s restoring things to where God desired them, in his instructions to the Levites and priests. 2 Chronicles 19:9-10 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, הַחֻקִּ֨ים וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֜ים וְהַתּוֹרָ֤ה [literally we have statutes or rules and law. The translators just rearranged the wording] law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt. Our next use is another example of the people not following God’s direction. 2 Chronicles 33:8-9 if only they will be careful to do all that I have commanded them, all הַתּוֹרָ֛ה וְהַֽחֻקִּ֥ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖ים the law, the statutes, and the rules given through Moses.” Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel. Our next uses show the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah that focused the people back to God. These passages are great examples of how important godly leadership really is. Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the תּוֹרַ֥ת Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach חֹ֥ק וּמִשְׁפָּֽט his statutes and rules in Israel. Nehemiah 9:13 You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים rules and true וְתוֹר֣וֹת laws, good חֻקִּ֥ים statutes and commandments, and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. I’ll close with this great passage about God’s heart for his people which also has our three words of our phrase in it. God loves his people and wants them to have an amazing blessed life that others can see the benefits of. Deuteronomy 4:6-8 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has חֻקִּ֥ים וּמִשְׁפָּטִ֖ים statutes and rules so righteous as all הַתּוֹרָ֣ה this law that I set before you today?