Leviticus 26
BBCLeviticus 26:1
XI. BLESSINGS AND CURSINGS (Chap. 26)A. The Blessings for Obedience to God (26:1-13)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. Notice the progression in verses 14, 18, 21, 24, and 28. After warnings against idolatry (v. 1), sabbath-breaking, and irreverence (v. 2), the Lord promised the following blessings to the nation if it would keep His commandments: rain, fertility (v. 4), productivity, security (v. 5), peace, safety (v. 6), victory over enemies (vv. 7, 8), fruitfulness, and the presence of the Lord (vv. 9-13). Knox’s version of verse 13 is especially graphic: “Was it not I . . . that . . . struck the chains from your necks, and gave you the upright carriage of free men?”
Leviticus 26:14
B. The Curses for Disobedience to God (26:14-39)26:14-33 Disobedience would result in terror, disease, conquest by enemies, drought, barrenness, wild beasts, pestilence, invasion, and captivity. Verse 26 describes famine conditions. Bread would be so scarce that ten women would be able to bake their supply in one oven, ordinarily big enough for only one family’s use. Even more severe famine is pictured in verse 29, where cannibalism prevails (see 2Ki_6:29 and Lam_4:10 for the historical fulfillment of this warning). 26:34-39 Persistent disobedience on Israel’s part would result in their being taken captive by a foreign power. The land of Israel would enjoy a period of rest equal to the number of sabbatic years which the people disregarded. This is what happened in the Babylonian captivity. During the years from Saul to the captivity the people had failed to keep the sabbatic years. Thus they spent seventy years in exile, and the land enjoyed its rest (2Ch_36:20-21).
Leviticus 26:40
C. Restoration through Confession and Repentance (26:40-46)The final section of chapter 26 provided a way of recovery through confession and repentance for the disobedient nation. God would not completely forsake His people, but would remember His covenant promises to their ancestors.