Focused Passage
Covenant Blessings, Covenant Discipline, Exile, Confession, and Remembered Mercy
The chapter begins by prohibiting idols and commanding Sabbath observance and sanctuary reverence. It then promises covenant blessings for obedience: rain, harvest, peace, victory, fruitfulness, God's dwelling presence, and covenant fellowship. The chapter then turns to escalating covenant discipline if Israel refuses to listen: terror, disease, defeat, drought, wild beasts, sword, plague, famine, siege, cannibalism, sanctuary desolation, land desolation, scattering among nations, and exile. Yet the chapter concludes with hope: if Israel confesses sin and humbles their uncircumcised hearts, the LORD will remember His covenant with Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, and the land. Even in exile He will not reject or destroy them completely, because He remains the LORD their God.
Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources
40But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me—
41and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity,
42then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.
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