This chapter is one of almost unremitting judgement on Israel, a fact that is even more apparent in the original Hebrew which adopts a very staccato style. Ie it is like a machine gun of judgement.
For years Israel had rebelled against the Lord for a time, then the occasional good king would come along who would introduce some reforms, only for the nation to lapse back into rebellion. At last enough is enough and judgement would come. The nation would be judged for her conduct and detestable practices.
"Then you will know that I am the Lord". There are two ways to know the Lord. One is to repent and submit to Him. To trust Him and follow His ways. Then we will know Him as a Father, as the One who cares for us in a deeper way ever imaginable. The alternative is to carry on going our own way, then one day we will finally run up against the buffers and meet Him as judge. On that day we will see that He was right and we were wrong. It is far better to take the first option!
Some might object that how can a God of love not show any pity? But the tragedy is that God has been showing pity and patience for years, but the nation failed to take advantage of it. Pity has failed, judgement must come. The nation will know that it is not random events that are afflicting them, but the Lord Himself.
As then, as now, people immerse themselves in consumerism, in selling and buying, in making money. They think they are secure because of their wealth and money making abilities, but this will be no protection at all against the judgement of God.
There will be no escape from the judgement, neither inside the city, nor outside in the country. The people had used wealth to make idols, instead of using it to bring justice and mercy to people.
So judgement will come upon the land.
For years Israel had rebelled against the Lord for a time, then the occasional good king would come along who would introduce some reforms, only for the nation to lapse back into rebellion. At last enough is enough and judgement would come. The nation would be judged for her conduct and detestable practices.
"Then you will know that I am the Lord". There are two ways to know the Lord. One is to repent and submit to Him. To trust Him and follow His ways. Then we will know Him as a Father, as the One who cares for us in a deeper way ever imaginable. The alternative is to carry on going our own way, then one day we will finally run up against the buffers and meet Him as judge. On that day we will see that He was right and we were wrong. It is far better to take the first option!
Some might object that how can a God of love not show any pity? But the tragedy is that God has been showing pity and patience for years, but the nation failed to take advantage of it. Pity has failed, judgement must come. The nation will know that it is not random events that are afflicting them, but the Lord Himself.
As then, as now, people immerse themselves in consumerism, in selling and buying, in making money. They think they are secure because of their wealth and money making abilities, but this will be no protection at all against the judgement of God.
There will be no escape from the judgement, neither inside the city, nor outside in the country. The people had used wealth to make idols, instead of using it to bring justice and mercy to people.
So judgement will come upon the land.
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