The reference to “your blessing” is not merely to the blessings that Lord bestowed upon the priests. Much more, it is a reference to the blessing that the priests were appointed to bestow upon the Lord’s people when they came to the temple (Numbers 6:23–27). The priests would lay a blessing upon the people, but the Lord would turn that blessing into a curse. The priests would say, “The Lord bless you and keep you.” But the Lord would turn that into a curse: “The Lord curse you and give you into the hands of your enemies.” The priests would say, “The Lord smile upon you in favour, and give you the good that you do not deserve.” But the Lord would exchange that for, “The Lord frown upon you in disfavour, and give you every evil that you deserve.” The priests would say, “The Lord turn his face toward you, and give you peace.” But the Lord would turn that around and say, “The Lord turn his face away from you, and give you troubled hearts and troubled lives.”
2 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.