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Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil on their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.
Verse 1. Evil. Septuagint “labours.” Hebrew “vanity, or an idol.” Bible.—That is called unprofitable, which is very detrimental. Worthington.—Morning, suddenly and with zeal. Calmet.—Is. Hebrew “has power,” (Chal.) “they have not raised their hands to God.” Septuagint Arab.
They covet fields and seize them, and houses, then take them away. They oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Verse 2. Oppressed. Lit. “calumniated,” ( Bible.) as Jezabel did Naboth. 3 Kennicott. 21:13.
Therefore the LORD says: “Behold, I am planning against these people a disaster, from which you will not remove your necks, neither will you walk haughtily, for it is an evil time.
Verse 3. Time. It was very near. Micheas saw the ruin of Samaria, under Theglathphalassar and Salmanasar.
In that day they will take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, saying, ‘We are utterly ruined! My people’s possession is divided up. Indeed he takes it from me and assigns our fields to traitors!’”
Verse 4. Say. The Israelites sing this mournful canticle to verse 7 which the prophet composes for them, to shew the certainty of the event. It is very difficult. Calmet.—The whole synagogue speaks. Menochius.—Depart. How do you pretend to say that the Assyrian is departing, when indeed he is coming to divide our lands amongst his subjects? Challoner.—The Cutheans were sent into the country. 4 Kennicott. 17:24. Calmet.—Septuagint “and there was none to hinder him from returning, our lands were divided.” Bible.
Therefore you will have no one who divides the land by lot in the LORD’s assembly.
Verse 5. None. Thou shalt have no longer any lot or inheritance in the land of the people of the Lord. Challoner.—Strangers had taken possession. Calmet.—Virgil has the like affecting thoughts. Ec. 1. Impius hæc tam culta novalia miles habebit? Bible.
“Don’t prophesy!”—they prophesy— “Don’t prophesy about these things. Disgrace won’t overtake us.”
Verse 6. Drop. That is, the prophecy shall not come upon these. Such were the sentiments of the people that were unwilling to believe the threats of the prophets. Challoner.—The princes order the prophets not to inculcate so many miseries. Worthington.—Hebrew “Make it not rain: they will make it rain: they will cause no rain like this: confusion shall not cease.” The people beg that the prophets would not announce such judgments: but, ( Calmet.) correcting themselves, they bid them to say what they please, ( Bible.) as nothing can befall them more terrible. Here the canticle ends. Calmet.—Septuagint “shed no tears, nor let them weep for these things, for she will not cast away reproaches, who says the house of Jacob has provoked the spirit,” and so forth Bible.
Shall it be said, O house of Jacob, “Is the LORD’s Spirit angry? Are these his doings? Don’t my words do good to him who walks blamelessly?”
Verse 7. Straitened. Is he inclined to danger? The prophet replies, if God punishes, it is because the people will not repent. Calmet.—His mercy is extended to penitents, as well as to the just. Worthington.
But lately my people have risen up as an enemy. You strip the robe and clothing from those who pass by without a care, returning from battle.
Verse 8. Away. You have often stripped people of their necessary garments; and have treated such as were innocently passing on the way, as if they were at war with you. Challoner.—He alludes to Israel attacking Juda without cause, and killing 120,000 at once, while they took 200,000 women and children (verse 9) captives, whom Oded indeed persuaded them to release. 2 Chronicles 28:6. Septuagint are very obscure in this chapter. Calmet.
You drive the women of my people out from their pleasant houses; from their young children you take away my blessing forever.
Verse 9. Cast out, and so forth Either by depriving them of their houses; or, by your crimes, giving occasion to their being carried away captives, and their children, by that means, never learning to praise the Lord. Challoner.—The Jews accustomed them to sing God’s praises early, while they were still innocent. Psalms 8:2. Misery might cause them to complain of Providence. Perhaps the prophet alludes to the custom of divorces. Malachi 2:15.
Arise, and depart! For this is not your resting place, because of uncleanness that destroys, even with a grievous destruction.
Verse 10. Corruption. Your sins will not permit you to remain any longer, and strangers shall defile this land. Calmet.
If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood lies, saying, “I will prophesy to you of wine and of strong drink,” he would be the prophet of this people.
Verse 11. Would God, and so forth The prophet could have wished, out of his love to his people, that he might be deceived in denouncing to them these evils that were to fall upon them: but by conforming himself to the will of God, he declares to them that he is sent to prophesy, literally to let drop upon them, the wine of God’s indignation, with which they should be made drunk; that is, stupified and cast down. Challoner.—Prot. “If a man, walking in the spirit of falsehood, do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and strong drink, he shall even be a prophet of this people.” But I cannot thus deceive you. Bible.
I will surely assemble all of you, Jacob. I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as a flock in the middle of their pasture. They will swarm with people.
Verse 12. Assemble. God shews his mercy, in gathering his Church out of all nations. Worthington.—At least the Jews shall be converted, (Romans 11:25. Saint Jerome Eus. Dem. ii. 50.) or they shall be butchered by the Assyrians. Sanct.—Men. The country was very populous when the Romans destroyed the Jews. They had returned by degrees. Calmet.
He who breaks open the way goes up before them. They break through the gate, and go out. Their king passes on before them, with the LORD at their head.
Verse 13. Open. Hebrew “break down.” Bible.—Divide. Hebrew “make a breach.” They shall return boldly, and in triumph. Calmet.