Some translations say his heart was grieved but in the current translation I’m using it says “crushed” (v. 9). It’s not a literal statement but a statement of profound grief. He did everything for Israel, lavishing on her blessing after blessing. And what does she do? Run after other lovers every chance she got.

Israel worshiped and served other gods. She burned incense in the high places and looked to her gods for help under the oak trees. And the gods also validated just about every sinful and evil lifestyle – sexual immorality and child sacrifice. The gods they worshipped were ones that they made to justify the lusts of their heart. If Almighty God doesn’t allow these things, make a god and a religion that will.

Israel was in covenant with God. Stronger than a marriage. And after their depravity was some of the worst in the world and their unfaithfulness never ending, God’s judgment was declared. But he wanted to make one thing clear and he did so at great lengths through each of the prophets:

“I did not threaten to bring this disaster on them without reason” (v. 10).

And their judgment will look like the three things that have gone together in history for all of time – death by the sword/war, famine and disease. Whether people stay or whether they run, they will die by one of these as they all go together. Even today.

So was God justified in bringing judgment? In every single way. Let history record, it was the deep sin of the people that brought this on and it was not of God’s desire.

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When war comes, so does famine and disease. It’s coming.

And will we be angry at God? Or is God justified in all he does? Righteous when he brings judgment?