It is sad when you see the Lord that so loved Israel and delivered her from captivity in Egypt, now pictured as her enemy (v4-5). This highlights for us all how terribly the Lord who is holy views sin. When you realise that the One who in judgment sends sinners to eternal hell, is also the Christ who died on the cross for the salvation of sinners, you begin to realise sin is far more shocking and serious in God’s eyes than we first imagined.

It speaks of the Lord scorning His altar and disowning His sanctuary (v7). This shows us that the god who delights in faithful worship, would rather have no place of worship rather than receive worship from a faithless and insincere people. That certainly brings a challenge to each of us about how we approach God in worship. God takes worship so seriously and so must we. This verse 7 seems to imply that the Lord preferred the mockery of his enemies to fill His temple rather than the mockery of His wayward people.

There is a real struggle in this chapter. The writer sees in what has happened to Israel the fulfilment of God’s promise of judgment (v17) and so they should not be surprised. Yet on the other hand he struggles with the suffering he sees (v20-23). these words though do not come from a faithless heart but from one which still encourages seeking the Lord (v19).