Israel’s Unfaithfulness

Judah says she is not defiled, but the LORD points to her visible ways and compares her desire to a wild animal in heat. Even when warned to restrain herself, she refuses, saying she loves strangers and will keep going after them.

“²³How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; ²⁴a wild donkey at home in the wilderness, ²⁵You should have kept your feet from going bare

Kings, priests, prophets, and people alike are put to shame like a caught thief because they speak to wood and stone as though these had given them birth. When trouble comes, the LORD asks where the many gods of Judah's cities are now.

²⁶As the thief is ashamed when he is caught, ²⁷say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ ²⁸But where are the gods you made for yourselves?

The LORD asks why they still bring a case against Him when all of them have rebelled, and even His discipline has not been received. Like a bride who would never forget her adornment, Judah should not forget her God, yet she has forgotten Him for countless days.

²⁹Why do you bring a case against Me? ³⁰“I have struck your sons in vain; ³¹You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: ³²Does a maiden forget her jewelry

Judah is shown as skilled in chasing illicit love, stained with the blood of the poor, and still claiming innocence. Her restless movement toward Egypt will fail like her turn toward Assyria, and she will depart with hands on her head because the LORD has rejected those in whom she trusts.

³³How skillfully you pursue love! ³⁴Moreover, your skirts are stained ³⁵you say, ‘I am innocent. ³⁶How impulsive you are, ³⁷Moreover, you will leave that place