Leviticus 26

14–39 The punishments described in these verses are all natural or man-inflicted catastrophes that were commonly experienced in the ancient world. God used these events as a means of punishing the Israelites for violating and breaking His covenant (verses 15,25), the covenant He had made with their forefathers and then reconfirmed at Mount Sinai. If they broke God’s covenant they would not only forfeit the covenant blessings He had promised them but they would also incur His wrath and judgment.

The modern reader of these verses may wonder how God could even consider bringing such disasters on His own chosen people. The answer is that God wanted to deter His people from disobeying Him. Just as the rewards of verses 3–13 were designed to encourage obedience, so the punishments of verses 14–39 were designed to discourage disobedience. To punish someone is not a sign of cruelty; it is a sign of love (Proverbs 3:11–12; Hebrews 12:5–6). Through punishment, God sought to draw His people back to Himself so that once again they could receive His blessings.

The punishments demonstrated God’s love. They also demonstrated God’s holiness and His anger against sin. In addition, the punishments demonstrated God’s faithfulness: God had said He would punish the Israelites if they sinned; He also said He would restore them if they confessed their sin (verses 40–42). God is always faithful to His word. But the responsibility for our behavior rests with us: if we refuse to be reformed by God’s punishments, then we can expect to be destroyed by them.

A similar and even more detailed list of punishments is found in Deuteronomy 28:15–68; there they are called “curses.” Later in Israel’s history, all of these punishments, or curses, would eventually be inflicted on the rebellious and disobedient Israelites.

In verse 29, God says that the Israelites will resort to cannibalism; they will even eat the flesh of their own sons and daughters! According to Deuteronomy 28:51–57, this would come about during the siege of Israelite cities, when the inhabitants became desperate from hunger. The Lord would allow foreign invaders to come into Canaan and scatter the Israelites (verse 33); those Israelites who were not destroyed would go into exile (verse 39)—as indeed happened.

In the end, all of these punishments and curses came to pass. God knew in advance that His people would bring these curses on themselves; thus this whole section serves as a PROPHECY of future events.¹⁰¹

What are we modern readers to make of these terrible punishments,curses,that God warns will come upon those who disobey Him? They should serve as warnings for us too. The specific punishments will be different, of course, but what we must learn from this chapter is that no one can sin and get away with it; punishment will come—usually in this life—but, if not, certainly in the next. Modern people pursue pleasures; they want them now. But they don’t think of the future, the consequences. This chapter reminds us to think of the consequences of our actions.

40–45 Even in the midst of terrible punishment the Israelites can have hope. God’s heart is always tender; He always holds out the offer of forgiveness and restoration. Concerning even the most rebellious people He says, “. . . if they will confess their sins . . . I will remember my covenant with them” (verses 40,42). God always responds to sincere confession, and He “remembers” (see Exodus 2:23–25 and comment). Confession is the key to God’s forgiveness (see Leviticus 5:5–6 and comment).

For our confession to be sincere, our uncircumcised hearts¹⁰² must be humbled (verse 41). Before we can turn to God in repentance, our hard hearts must be softened. God’s main purpose in punishing us is to soften and humble our hearts so that we will turn to Him and confess our sin.

In verse 42, God promises to remember His covenant with ABRAHAM, Isaac and Jacob.¹⁰³ Even if most Israelites did not confess their sin, God would still not . . . destroy them completely (verse 44); God would spare a remnant of Israel (Isaiah 10:20–21; Romans 11:4–5). God would not allow Israel to be destroyed completely because Israel was God’s means, God’s instrument, to bless and to save the world—through one Israelite, Jesus Christ.

46 This verse is a summary statement regarding all the laws given by God at Mount Sinai—that is, all the laws recorded in the books of Exodus and Leviticus and the first nine chapters of Numbers. These laws were to be obeyed by the Israelites as their part of the covenant God had made with them. Because these laws were transmitted to the people by Moses, they are known collectively as the Law of Moses, or the Mosaic Law (see General Article: The Purpose of the Mosaic Law).