40 'And—they have confessed their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they have trespassed against Me, and also, that they have walked with Me, in opposition, 41 also I walk to them in opposition, and have brought them into the land of their enemies—or then their uncircumcised heart is humbled, and then they accept the punishment of their iniquity,— 42 then I have remembered My covenant 'with' Jacob, and also My covenant 'with' Isaac, and also My covenant 'with' Abraham I remember, and the land I remember.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 26:40-42
Commentary on Leviticus 26:40-46
(Read Leviticus 26:40-46)
Among the Israelites, persons were not always prosperous or afflicted according to their obedience or disobedience. But national prosperity was the effect of national obedience, and national judgments were brought on by national wickedness. Israel was under a peculiar covenant. National wickedness will end in the ruin of any people, especially where the word of God and the light of the gospel are enjoyed. Sooner or later, sin will be the ruin, as well as the reproach, of every people. Oh that, being humbled for our sins, we might avert the rising storm before it bursts upon us! God grant that we may, in this our day, consider the things which belong to our eternal peace.