Leviticus concludes with God presenting Israel with a choice. The choice was either delight or despise God’s Law. If Israel would obey God’s Law then He would bless them. If, on the other hand, Israel disobeyed God’s Law then He would curse them. There were big implications with that little word “if.”
If Israel obeyed God’s Law then they would be blessed. Israel’s obedience would produce plenty of harvest (26:3-5). Peace and protection from surrounding nations depended upon their compliance to the Law (26:6-7) Power in unity rested on Israel’s observance of the Law (26:8). The nation would be prosperous, and in need of nothing if they just kept the Law (26:9-10). More importantly, they would have the distinct privilege of having God dwell in their midst by adhering to God’s Law (26:11-13). Faithfulness to God and His Law would make Israel a blessed people.
Nevertheless, Israel would be cursed if they disobeyed God and His Word. Defiance produced disease (26:16). Disregard generated defeat (26:17). Insubordination brought about discipline (26:18-20). Rebellion assured distress (26:21-26). Disdain generated desolation (26:27-36). Apostasy caused defenselessness (26:37-39). Faithlessness to God and His Law would make Israel a cursed people.
The Lord invoked another small word with large ramifications – “but.” Blessings flowed from obedience. Cursing proceeded from disobedience. But if Israel humbled themselves, and confessed their sins, then God would remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Repentance resulted in restoration (26:40-45).
Brothers and sisters, like Israel, we all have disobeyed God’s Law. The apostle Paul wrote, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal. 3:10). We were under the curse of the Law, but Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us (Gal. 3:13). We were faithless, but He remained faithful (2 Tim. 2:13). Furthermore, if we have sinned, we too can humble ourselves in repentance, and He will be faithful to forgive us of all of our sins (1 Jn. 1:9).