Leviticus 26 begins with all of the wonderful blessings that Adonai promised to pour out on His people if they simply lived in accordance with His regulations and commandments: rain in season, bountiful harvests, an abundance of food, security, peace, lack of fear and wild animals, victory over enemies, productivity, increase in numbers, an abundance of food (such that they’d need to throw out the old to make room for the new), acceptance–not rejection, God Himself to walk among them and be their God, the yoke of slavery over their lives broken so that they could “walk upright”. Then, starting in verse 14, the flip side (what will happen if they do not obey and keep His commandments) is laid out: sudden terror, disease, planting in vain, victorious enemies (defeat), paranoia, loss of children and cattle, plague, dispersion, living in fear; basically the opposite of what they would have been blessed with. But even after the wicked sin and hard-heartedness of those on whom chastisement would fall, the Lord earnestly desires their return and “in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, [He] will not reject or abhor them so as to destroy them completely…but for their sake [He] will remember the covenant with their ancestors…” He continues to extend mercy and grace; though never deserved, it is His nature to do so.
Likewise, the book of Joel, in the midst of the prophecies of desolation and destruction that it predicts, reveals the heart of the Lord which is: “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love”, sure to “take pity on His people”, desirous to “repay for the years the locusts have eaten”, delighting to “pour out [His] Spirit on all people” and to pardon “their bloodguilt which I have not yet pardoned”. Joel 2:13, 18, 25, 28; 3:21.