he calamities about to come upon the land. (1-9) The
wickedness of the people. (10-15) The distress of the proud,
luxurious women of Zion. (16-26)
Verses 1-9: God was about to deprive Judah of every stay and support.
The city and the land were to be made desolate, because their
words and works had been rebellious against the Lord; even at
his holy temple. If men do not stay themselves upon God, he will
soon remove all other supports, and then they must sink. Christ
is the Bread of life and the Water of life; if he be our Stay,
we shall find that is a good part not to be taken away, (Joh
6:27). Here note, 1. That the condition of sinners is
exceedingly woful. 2. It is the soul that is damaged by sin. 3.
Whatever evil befals sinners, be sure that they bring it on
themselves.
Verses 10-15: The rule was certain; however there might be national
prosperity or trouble, it would be well with the righteous and
ill with the wicked. Blessed be God, there is abundant
encouragement to the righteous to trust in him, and for sinners
to repent and return to him. It was time for the Lord to show
his might. He will call men to a strict account for all the
wealth and power intrusted to and abused by them. If it is
sinful to disregard the necessities of the poor, how odious and
wicked a part do they act, who bring men into poverty, and then
oppress them!
Verses 16-26: The prophet reproves and warns the daughters of Zion of
the sufferings coming upon them. Let them know that God notices
the folly and vanity of proud women, even of their dress. The
punishments threatened answered the sin. Loathsome diseases
often are the just punishment of pride. It is not material to
ask what sort of ornaments they wore; many of these things, if
they had not been in fashion, would have been ridiculed then as
now. Their fashions differed much from those of our times, but
human nature is the same. Wasting time and money, to the neglect
of piety, charity, and even of justice, displease the Lord. Many
professors at the present day, seem to think there is no harm in
worldly finery; but were it not a great evil, would the Holy
Spirit have taught the prophet to expose it so fully? The Jews
being overcome, Jerusalem would be levelled with the ground;
which is represented under the idea of a desolate female seated
upon the earth. And when the Romans had destroyed Jerusalem,
they struck a medal, on which was represented a woman sitting on
the ground in a posture of grief. If sin be harboured within the
walls, lamentation and mourning are near the gates.
he calamities about to come upon the land. (1-9) The
wickedness of the people. (10-15) The distress of the proud,
luxurious women of Zion. (16-26)