Leviticus 26:16
I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
The verse states the curse for disobedience: terror appointed over the people, wasting consumption and burning fever that consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart, and seed sown in vain because enemies eat it. The curse falls if they will not hearken and do all the commandments, but despise the statutes, abhor the judgments, and break the covenant. All the blessings and promises of the covenant are upon condition of obedience, and it makes every difference whether a people obey or disobey the law; sin in an enlightened people will in no wise be excused.
In its context the curse continues into God setting His face against them, their being slain before enemies, being ruled by those who hate them, and fleeing when none pursues. For continued disobedience it goes on into sevenfold further punishment, breaking the pride of power, making heaven as iron and earth as brass, and spending strength in vain with land and trees yielding no increase or fruit. Israel's prosperity and security depended on obedience; disobedience brings loss of God's prosperity, defeat, wasted strength and labor, and unfruitful land.
The curse was fulfilled in the Jews in John's and John the Baptist's day for departure from God and iniquity, when they were ruled over by a hostile people that hated them and suffered under foreign rule. While under that punishment they still claimed the blessings and promises given only to the obedient, faithful people. They did not recognize their afflictions as punishment for their sin.
The chapter was given as an admonition to later generations, and the same principle applies to God's people now, who have greater light and are therefore accountable for obeying its warnings. The same judgment can scatter the means entrusted to those who withhold them from God's work, so that crop losses and other material losses are examples of this judgment. Readers should therefore heed God's Word and act rightly toward those in need lest they face the same consequences. The time of the prophecy is nearly accomplished, and the rightful ruler will soon come to receive the kingdom and sit on His Father's throne.