5:8
The condemnation of Judah now gets more specific, with particular sins being singled out. Rich and powerful people acquired ever more wealth at the expense of the poor. It could be argued that a similar thing is happening in the West, with ever widening pay gaps between top and bottom. We need to understand that the Bible does not argue for a socialist state, and nor does it argue for a capitalist one either! There is nothing wrong with wealth in itself, where we go wrong is what we see wealth as being there for. We always to respect the lives and property of everyone. Indeed, property rights is one clear area of divergence between communism and the Bible. Communist states have a terrible habit of abolishing property rights, and this almost always results in famine. Community does matter, and the well being of all matters.
5:9,10
Decadent societies tend to build large houses. Even failed tinpot dictatorships will often have built themselves mansions or other extravagances while the rest of the population languished in poverty. Similar things seemed to have happened in Judah, well these mansions would become desolate. And the economy would collapse, with vineyards producing next to nothing.
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