Promises and Redemption (Lev. 26-27)

Chapter twenty-six begins by invoking three of the first five of the Ten Commandments. One might say that Moses is going back to basics. By verse three onward, Moses highlights the blessings and curses for Israel if they keep or violate the Law. This closely resembles Deuteronomy 28. The “engraved stone” of verse two would have been a paving stone with a mosaic design set in the floor of a sanctuary. The threat of beasts of prey in the land, such as lions and bears, would pose no threat to the population (26:6). This reminds the reader of how young David had to learn to combat lions to protect the flock. God promising to multiply them (26:9) harkens back to creation and the royal commission given to humanity (Gen. 1:28). The crux of all of Leviticus is spelled out in 26:11–12. While Israel was previously under a yoke of burdensome labor, God has broken it so that they can now stand upright (26:13). 

Moses shifts from the blessings to curses at 26:14–15. In the following verses, we see the antithesis of verse nine (26:15–17). The simile in 26:19 is a common feature of Assyrian curses and appears also in Deuteronomy 28:23. All of the curses that God sends to Israel if they fail to keep the covenant are meant to be curative of that attitude (26:23–24), but if they persist, God’s judgment will grow more severe. God will once more pause to see if Israel repents, then He will move towards wrath (29:27–28). Even if He goes to the most extreme measure, He will still save them as He has from Egypt (29:44–45). A covenant is both a promise and a threat, and Moses reminds us at the end of this section that each party to the covenant has obligations to the other. 

The final chapter has been studied and attempted to be interpreted within the whole of the book. Many commentators treat it as an appendix to the book. It focuses on voluntary offerings and on the tabernacle’s taxed obligations. However, the book’s final line wraps it up. It’s seen as a formal conclusion that encompasses the whole book while preparing us for Numbers. Leviticus began at the Tent of Meeting and migrated to Sinai. Numbers begin in the wilderness.