The centrality of the Sabbath principle was mentioned in Leviticus 26:2. By mentioning the Sabbath at the end of this chapter, the Lord highlights one of the reasons for the nation’s punishment and exile. The nation spurned
(m’s) and abhorred
(g‛l) the Lord’s revelation. While the nation rejected the Lord’s Sabbath, the land, ironically, will enjoy its Sabbath while the people are in exile.
43 But the land shall be abandoned by them and enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them, and they shall make amends for their iniquity, because they spurned my rules and their soul abhorred my statutes.