The depraved city

After the judgments on the surrounding nations are listed, the judgment on Jerusalem is finally declared. Verses 1-5 are the words of the prophet, and verses 6-8 are the words of the Lord Himself. (1) The opening word “Woe,” expresses both lament over a cursed destiny and a declaration of regret. The reason judgment comes upon Jerusalem is because it is “the rebellious and defiled city, the oppressive city.” (2) Four sins of Jerusalem are pointed out. (a) Jerusalem is a city that does not listen to the call of the prophets. If God’s people do not listen to the prophets who proclaim God’s word, it means they have abandoned the privileges and responsibilities of being God’s people (ref. Deut. 4:32-36). (b) It is also a city that does not accept the discipline spoken by the prophets. (c) It is a city that does not trust in the Lord – that is, a city without faith in the Lord. (d) It is a city that does not draw near to God. Instead of the Lord, they drew near to idols.

The corrupt leaders

The sins of four kinds of leaders are pointed out. (1) “Her leaders within her are roaring lions.” They had the duty to care for the people, but instead they attacked them like lions and acted with greed. (2) “Her judges are wolves at evening.” This means that the judges also acted according to selfish desires like nocturnal wolves. (3) “Her prophets are insolent, treacherous men.” The corruption of the prophets in that time was beyond measure (ref. Jer. 8:10). (4) “Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.” The priests, who should have taught the will of the Lord, failed to teach the distinction between the holy and the profane. In contrast to the corruption of Jerusalem, the righteousness of the Lord is emphasized: “The Lord is righteous within her; He will do no injustice.” No matter how unjust God’s people may be, the Lord is righteous. The Lord Jesus lamented over Jerusalem and said the following. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who have been sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling” (Matt. 23:37). Blessed are those who respond to the call of Lord Jesus.