THEOSISVissarion (Nechaev)
After offering blessings to His chosen people for their fidelity to the covenant, the Lord warns them of the consequences of their unfaithfulness. The specifics of these warnings will be illuminated in the subsequent verses. In verses 14 and 15, it is made clear under what circumstances the impending calamities shall fall upon the Israelites. Such tribulations will occur if they disobey God, fail to adhere to His commandments, including His moral, ceremonial, familial, and civil laws. They will not only refuse to repent for their transgressions, but will also resist the Lord's judgments, become aggrieved by His decrees, and declare them overly burdensome. Consequently, they will be tempted to disregard all the commandments of the Lord and choose not to fulfill them henceforth.
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Ultimately, they will break their covenant with the Lord, reject His service entirely, and renounce all the obligations they had solemnly accepted at Sinai. It is evident that this matter extends beyond mere private sins against the divine law while still holding faith in the one true God; it involves a significant departure from that faith, a move away from the true worship of God, and a slide into idolatry. Such transgression is exceedingly grave and will not go unpunished. What retribution does the Lord forewarn them of?