Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah
The Lord announces that He will remove every support from Judah, including food, military strength, wise officials, and honored leaders. In their absence boys and unstable men will rule, the people will oppress one another, and no one will want to assume leadership over such visible ruin.
F1or behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts 2the mighty man and the warrior, 3the commander of fifty and the dignitary, 4“I will make mere lads their leaders, 5The people will oppress one another, 6A man will seize his brother 7On that day he will cry aloud:
Jerusalem and Judah are said to have stumbled because their speech and deeds defy the LORD's glorious presence. Their faces testify against them, their sin is brazen like Sodom, the righteous are assured eventual good, and the wicked warned of disaster, while the people groan under childish and misleading rule.
8For Jerusalem has stumbled 9The expression on their faces testifies against them, 10Tell the righteous it will be well with them, 11Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! 12Youths oppress My people,
The LORD rises as prosecutor and judge against the elders and princes of His people. They are charged with devouring the vineyard and crushing the poor, exposing leadership not as protection for the weak but as one of the chief objects of divine accusation.
13The LORD arises to contend; 14The LORD brings this charge 15Why do you crush My people