Answer :
Final answer:
If the Israelites defied the Lord, they would face severe repercussions such as sword, famine, and plague as described in biblical texts. Defiance resulted in divine punishments like widespread death, as seen in the episodes of the Exodus and historical events like the Babylonian Captivity.
Explanation:
The general condition that would exist for the Israelites if they defied the Lord and His will, according to the passages provided, would be quite severe. Instances from the books of Ezekiel (EZ), Leviticus (LE), Judges (JG), Genesis (GE), Numbers (NU), and Exodus (EX) indicate a range of divine punishments including suffering by the sword, famine, plague, and even the earth swallowing up people. This is exemplified by scriptures such as EZ 6:12-13, where disobedience results in death by various means; EZ 9:4-6 authorizing widespread slaughter; and NU 16:27-33, where rebels are swallowed by the earth.
Furthermore, additional passages such as EX 9:22-25 and EX 12:29 demonstrate the Lord's capacity to bring about plagues and widespread death as punishment. The Exodus signifies a turning point for the Hebrew people, where after enduring hardships and divine retributions, they were expected to worship the Lord and follow His commandments strictly or suffer the consequences. Examples in history, such as the Babylonian Captivity, also echo the narrative of retribution for infidelity to the covenant with Yahweh.
