lf you ask people what is the greatest danger they face, few will say that is having ease and plenty of luxury. But in this chapter the Lord warns that those who are at ease in Zion, the capital of Judah and those at ease in Samaria, the capital of northern Israel, that they are in great danger (v2).

Calneh, Hmath and Gath (v2) were cities of powerful kingdoms that already had experienced destruction. The devil loves sharing the lie to people that disaster will not come on them, but for those who resist God, disaster willo surely come.

The ease and pleasure the people lived in is highlighted here with the beds of ivory, in eating lambs and calves (v4), in singing songs and making music (v5), in drinking wine and being anointed with oil (v6). God’s people may enjoy the good things of this world, but they must never be allowed to blind us from the seriousness of knowing the Lord and His judgment (v7).

God’s judgment not only comes on nations but right into individual homes, whether they be large or small (v9-11). The problem was that the people thought they could ignore the basic principles of life and still expect blessing (v12). Sin always, always, always brings consequences.

Those who trun from the Lord but believe they are getting on alright (v13), are warned that they will face greater challenges from the Lord.