Rhetoric: Here Benjamin reprises the earlier theme (Mosiah 2:37) that those who chose to follow the “evil spirit” were rebels against Yahweh. Now Benjamin proclaims woe upon those rebels. Why does this curse appear in the middle of “glad tidings” of the atonement?
Benjamin has just taught that Yahweh-Messiah performs an atoning sacrifice (v. 12), the only means to salvation. Between establishing the need for an atonement and assuring his listeners that only Yahweh-Messiah can perform the atonement, Benjamin describes the power of blood and warns against rebellion. In this context, it seems likely that Benjamin is warning those in the assembly who might still feel allegiance to the other religion—one which emphasizes blood but without any power to atone. It is the cultural context that links blood with rebellion and, hence, explains Benjamin’s condemnation. Such an association seems missing from any other context.
Another explanation is that this interpolated curse could be simply an aside that occurred to Benjamin as he spoke. The speech is so carefully crafted, however, that positing a hasty insertion contradicts the rest of the carefully argued text.