Leviticus 26:14-17

Punishment for Disobedience

14 “ ‘But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands,
15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant,
16 then I will do this to you: I will bring on you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.
17 I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.

Leviticus 26:14-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 26

In this chapter, after a repetition of some laws against idolatry, and concerning keeping sabbaths, and reverencing the sanctuary of God, Le 26:1,2; in order to encourage the Israelites to keep the various statutes and commandments in this book, and in the preceding, many promises are made of plenty, and peace, and safety from enemies, and of the presence of God with them, Le 26:3-13; and on the contrary, to such as should despise and break his commandments, the most grievous things are threatened, as diseases of body, destruction by their enemies, barrenness and unfruitfulness of land, the sore judgments of wild beasts, famine, sword, and pestilence, Le 26:14-39; and yet after all, when they should confess their sins, and were humbled for them, the Lord promises to remember the covenant he made with their ancestors, and would deal kindly with them, and not cast them away, and utterly destroy them, Le 26:40-46.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Malachi 2:2
  • 2. S ver 11
  • 3. S Genesis 17:7
  • 4. Deuteronomy 28:22,35; Psalms 78:33
  • 5. ver 39; 1 Samuel 2:33; Psalms 107:17; Ezekiel 4:17; Ezekiel 24:23; Ezekiel 33:10
  • 6. Judges 6:3-6; Job 31:8
  • 7. Leviticus 17:10; Ezekiel 15:7
  • 8. Deuteronomy 28:48; Joshua 7:12; Judges 2:15; 1 Kings 8:33; 2 Chronicles 6:24
  • 9. Joshua 7:4; Jeremiah 19:7; Jeremiah 21:7
  • 10. Psalms 106:41
  • 11. ver 36,37; Deuteronomy 28:7,25; Psalms 53:5; Proverbs 28:1; Isaiah 30:17
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