Seek good and avoid evil, so that you may live. Then the Lord, the God of hosts, as you have claimed, will be with you.
Commentaries
3:1 - 6:14
Title.
This section explains why the northern kingdom will be judged. The first three oracles start with the phrase “Hear this word” (3:1; 4:1; 5:1). These are followed by three “woes” as warnings (5:7; 5:18; 6:1) to those who refuse to listen.
5:7 - 5:17
First Woe: Justice in the Courts.
The “woes” are a warning about the judgment that will fall on those who keep on sinning. In this first case, justice has become “poison” (7) because judges ignore the truthful witness (10) and “trample on the poor” (11). God states that they will not enjoy what they have gained through usury and bribery (11-12). Verses 8-9 are a doxology that shows the Almighty as both creator and destroyer.
Commentaries
Title.
This section explains why the northern kingdom will be judged. The first three oracles start with the phrase “Hear this word” (3:1; 4:1; 5:1). These are followed by three “woes” as warnings (5:7; 5:18; 6:1) to those who refuse to listen.
First Woe: Justice in the Courts.
The “woes” are a warning about the judgment that will fall on those who keep on sinning. In this first case, justice has become “poison” (7) because judges ignore the truthful witness (10) and “trample on the poor” (11). God states that they will not enjoy what they have gained through usury and bribery (11-12). Verses 8-9 are a doxology that shows the Almighty as both creator and destroyer.