At this point the prophet resumed the denunciation of the people and their sins, which had been suspended that he might relate his vision of Jehovah of Hosts and give the prediction concerning Immanuel. We now learn how God’s hand was stretched out upon them in anger and discipline. In chapter 5, woe was pronounced upon them six times, and now we get the hand of God stretched out in wrath four times over verses 12, 17, 21, and 10:4. There seems to be an increase of severity as we proceed.
The ten tribes had been chastised with much destruction, but in their pride they declared that it gave them the opportunity to rebuild on a much improved scale. They spoke then just as men are speaking today as they view the destruction wrought in the recent war. The Lord warned them that their ally, Rezin of Syria, would be overthrown, a token of the overthrow coming upon themselves.
But again the people did not accept the discipline and turn to God who sent it. Consequently they would be deceived by prophecy that was false, and from the highest to the lowest face a cutting off and disaster. But this too would fail of any true effect.
Hence further miseries would come upon them and intertribal strife. The wrath of the Lord would darken the land and yet be as a fire and the people as fuel. And still His anger would remain.
The copyright for this material is assigned to Scripture Truth Publications. Used by permission.