The curses found in Leviticus 26:17 mirror the blessing in verses 6-8. If they keep God’s law, the nation would know the blessing of God’s presence and his protection from their enemies. Now, the Lord warns the nation that if the Hebrews break the covenant, they will experience God himself as their enemy. In his judgment, the Lord will cause the Israelites to be defeated by their enemies and will cause them to lose their national identity.
17 I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies. Those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you.