Denial and False Prophecy
- Israel and Judah have dealt treacherously, denying Hashem and claiming no evil will befall them.
- Prophets become wind, with no speech in them.
- Hashem places His words as fire in the prophet’s mouth, and the people shall be wood—it shall consume them.
🌍 A Nation from Afar
- Hashem brings a mighty, ancient nation whose language is unknown.
- Their quiver is like an open grave; they are mighty men.
- They will devour harvests, children, flocks, cities—with the sword.
- Yet Hashem will not make a complete end.
🛐 Reason for Judgment
- When asked why Hashem has done this, the answer: “As you have forsaken Me and worshipped foreign Hashems… so shall you serve strangers in a land not yours.”
👂 Foolishness and Lack of Fear
- The people are foolish, without understanding—eyes that see not, ears that hear not.
- Hashem reminds them of His power: He set sand as a boundary for the sea.
- Yet the people have a revolting, rebellious heart and turned away.
🌧️ Ingratitude and Sin
- They do not fear Hashem who gives early and latter rain and keeps harvest laws.
- Their iniquities have brought these judgments; sins have withheld good.
🕳️ Deceit and Exploitation
- Wicked men lie in wait like traps, ambushes catching people.
- Their houses are full of deceit—thus they grow rich and fat.
- They do not plead for the orphan or judge the poor rightly.
😱 Appalling Corruption
- Hashem again asks: “Shall I not punish for these?”
- An appalling and horrible thing has occurred: false prophecy, corrupt priesthood, and the people love it so.
- The haunting question: “What shall you do in the end thereof?”