29:17-19
God repeats the words about sword, famine and plague. Far from being a brave band of brothers, they would be abhorrent to all the nations. Note that God’s people, and that includes you and me, are meant to be on display to the nations. Jesus taught this in Matt 5:14-16. Israel was meant to be an example of godliness to the nations, instead she was an example of sinful rebellion. They had not listened to God’s words, and the exiles were reminded that they had not either. The difference was that the exiles were submitting to God’s judgement.
29:20,21
The false prophets are called out by name. There is no dealing with this quietly in a corner so that no one knows. Ahab and Zedekiah are named, and they will be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar, and then killed before the eyes of the Israelites. We might think that this goes against Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:15-20, but this is not so. This was no first time offence, but the latest stage in a lifetime of rebellion.
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