The most severe consequence is that of completely losing their promised land and going into exile in the land of their enemies. Yet even that is for a good purpose and outcome: the restoration of the land. If the people are no longer there, the land can make up for all the neglected and ignored sabbath years, so that it becomes fertile and ready to be fruitful again when the people return. And the other purpose of the exile is the restoration of the people. As the shock of exile pushes them to recognise and confess their sins, the humbled people will recognise that God has not rejected them and is right there to renew His covenant with them. It's a mind-blowing thought that what appears to be a horrible and cruel outcome is actually evidence of God's kindness and unfailing love - His heart to see both the people and the land restored and renewed.
The flip side of the sober warnings in this chapter is the long list of blessings that will result if the people are obedient. Much of it is what you would expect of a people whose all-powerful God is watching out for them, protecting them and providing for them: rains in season bringing abundant crops, safety from wild animals, victory over their enemies... But the greatest blessing of all is found at the end of the list, in vs 11 - 12:
There is no greater blessing than the presence of God with us. Knowing this, it's striking that God did not make the loss of His presence the greatest penalty for the people, but limited it to the loss of their land. Even amidst the people's disobedience and failure, even in exile, God sought to be with His people and to restore them. What a touching picture of the heart of a Father who loves and cherishes us.
