God’s Reasons for Punishing Israel
2I have known only you3:2 Ex 19:5–6; Dt 4:32–37
out of all the clans of the earth;
3Can two walk together3:3 Lv 26:23–24
without agreeing to meet?
when it has no prey?
Does a young lion growl from its lair
unless it has captured something?
5Does a bird land in a trap on the ground
if there is no bait for it?
Does a trap spring from the ground
when it has caught nothing?
If a disaster3:6 Is 14:24–27; 45:7 occurs in a city,
hasn’t the Lord done it?3:6 Lm 3:37–39
7Indeed, the Lord God does nothing
without revealing his counsel
who will not fear?
who will not prophesy?3:8 Jr 6:10–11; 20:9
and on the citadels in the land of Egypt:
and see the great turmoil in the city
this is the Lord’s declaration —
those who store up violence and destruction3:10 Hab 2:8–10; Zph 1:9; Zch 5:3–4
in their citadels.
11Therefore, the Lord God says:
An enemy3:11 Am 6:14 will surround the land;
he will destroy3:11 Am 2:14 your strongholds
and plunder your citadels.3:11 2Kg 17:5–6; 18:9–12
12The Lord says:
As the shepherd snatches two legs
or a piece of an ear
from the lion’s mouth,3:12 1Sm 17:34–37
so the Israelites who live in Samaria
will be rescued
with only the corner of a bed3:12 Ps 132:3
or the3:12 Or Israelites will be rescued, those who sit in Samaria on a corner of a bed or a cushion3:12 Hb obscure of a couch.3:12 LXX, Aq, Sym, Theod, Syr, Tg, Vg read or in Damascus3:12 Est 1:6; 7:8; Am 6:4
this is the declaration of the Lord God,
the God of Armies.
on the day I punish Israel for its crimes;
the horns of the altar3:14 Lv 8:15; 16:18–19; 1Kg 1:50–51; 2:28; Ps 118:27 will be cut off
and fall to the ground.3:14 Hs 10:1–2
and the summer house;3:15 Jdg 3:20
This is the Lord’s declaration.
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