Leviticus 26:1–2 recalls the first laws in chapter 19 (vv. 3–4, regarding parents, Sabbath, and idolatry), but in reverse order and with revering the Lord’s sanctuary in place of revering one’s mother and father (as in Lev. 19:30). This chiasm frames the intervening chapters, containing a wide variety of laws governing many aspects of life. So when 26:3 refers to keeping God’s laws as the condition for enjoying the covenant blessings, the whole collection of divine statutes is in view. Repetition of two of the Ten Commandments at the outset in verses 1–2—against idolatry and for keeping the Lord’s Sabbath—is significant. Obeying these commands is crucial for showing loyalty to God.

Most of chapter 26 consists of conditional blessings for faithfulness to the Lord’s covenant stipulations (…