It is well known throughout Chaza”l that the way Hashem enforces reward and punishment is measure for measure. An incredible example of this is depicted in the 7th chapter of Tanna D’vei Eliyahu Rabba. Another related factor to take into account is “The measure that a person measures is the way Hashem measures him.” This is elaborated upon in the 11th chapter of Tanna D’vei Eliyahu Rabba.
We find this system of reward and punishment further emphasized and explained in this week’s double portion of Behar and Bechukosai. The Torah portion of Behar begins with discussing the sabbatical and jubilee years (שמיטה ויובל). Then in perek 25, pasuk 17 it discusses the negative commandment of not hurting people with words in personal relationships (לא תונו איש את עמיתו). Then in pasuk 18 it states: “You shall perform My decrees, and observe My laws and perform them; then you shall dwell securely on the land. “
The Chizkuni on pasuk 18 says that “performing My decrees” refers to the mitzvos that have to do with The Land [of Israel] that should be observed during shmittah and yovel. An example of “observing My laws” is this mitzva in pasuk 17 of not aggrieving your fellow Jew. The end of the pasuk is teaching us that the reward for observing Hashem’s mitzvos is that we will not have any fear of being exiled from The Land of Israel. (Click here for Hebrew text.)
In the beginning of the second Torah portion, which is the conclusion of the Book of Vayikra, Bechukosai, it writes: “If you follow My decrees and observe My laws and perform them; then I will provide your rains in their time, and the land will give its produce, and the trees of the field will give its fruit. Your threshing will last until satiety, and you will dwell securely in your land” (Vayikra 26:3-5). The Chizkuni explains, that “if you do what I have put upon you to do, then even the clouds, the land, and the trees that were created for you will do for you what is upon them to do. “Rain will come in its proper time” for if it does not come in their proper, rain can cause the grain to rot. “Your threshing will last until satiety etc.” Just as you will be constantly observing My mitzvos without fail, so too your blessing will come to you without fail and there will not be any delay from one blessing to the next.
Finally, when the pasuk concludes “and you will dwell securely in your land” the Chizkuni observes, “beforehand in parshas Behar (25:18) it had written ‘then you shall dwell securely on the land,’ it now reiterates and highlights its words and adds “in YOUR land” the land that belongs to YOU. But in years of famine people are exiled as it says [by the punishment od Kayin], ‘It (the ground) shall no longer yield its strength to you, you shall be a vagrant and a wanderer on earth’ (Breishis 4:12). It also says in Iyov (15:23), ‘He wanders about for food – where is it?'” (Click here for Hebrew text.)
In order for the Jews to be deserving of such blessings on a constant and consistent basis, measure for measure, they have to be constantly and consistently fulfilling Hashem’s will with proper intent, love and fear of Hashem. This would take much focus in order to get into the proper habit and rhythm, to be constantly growing in Torah and Mitzvos. If they are so focused, then why does Hashem feel this highlighted addition of “YOUR land” is needed to be emphasized; what would it add to the person who is so focused already in doing good, striving to serve Hashem properly, and live a full and meaningful life? If, on the other hand, the pasuk is specifically talking to those that need to work on themselves to get to the level of deserving constant and consistent blessing, then just highlighting and adding “to dwell in YOUR land” wouldn’t necessarily do anything. Because one has to first work on his proper focus in order to ensure constancy and consistency; it’s not guaranteed that this addition will cause him to focus.
A prerequisite for ensuring consistent and constant blessing for consistent and constant Torah observance is without a doubt a focus on Torah observance and a resolve to make sure one stays on that high level and only tries to grow. However, chizuk, reinforcement of the good that results from the causes that are deserving of the reward, is always healthy to strengthen the commitment. Positive reinforcements highlighted on a personal level, i.e. emphasizing “YOUR land,” is always a positive thing. And it is constructive because just as there are infinite levels one can gain in His relationship with Hashem, there is never enough chizuk to make sure the relationship lasts.