One more sign was given to the prophet (verse 1), a token that Israel’s summer was past, her fruit was gathered; and as God looked at it, He said, “The end is come upon My people Israel.” (Compare with Genesis 6:13). The songs of the present would soon give place to howlings of misery, of woe, when the long-promised judgment of this people should take place. There would then be no word of complaint against God; the many dead would be cast out in silence. There can be no complaint at the just judgment of Jehovah when it falls.
One more word of warning from Him Who reads the thoughts and intents of the human heart is given in verses 4-6; but would the hearers listen, and humble themselves? “Jehovah hath sworn by the glory of Jacob, Certainly I will never forget any of their works!”
Verses 8 to 14 and chapter 9:1-10 express in striking language the judgment to fall on Israel; part of it is as yet unexecuted, for God has not visited His earthly people to the full measure for their sins. Isaiah 17 and 28, Jeremiah 30, Joel 2 and Zechariah 13:8-9 may be referred to among many passages relating to future judgments upon the earthly people of God; Ezekiel 20:33-38 gives the particular dealing with the ten tribes of Israel, who, unlike the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, will be punished outside of the land of their inheritance.
In verse 8, the “flood” is the river of Egypt, the Nile, comparison being made of the promised day of trouble with the annual rising of that stream, “and it shall surge and sink down, as the river of Egypt” (JND) (See also chapter 9:5). The word of God was despised, and His prophets were rejected; the people were, in retribution, to suffer for lack of that divine guidance they had refused (verses 11-14).