Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.
Israel in the verse is the ten tribes, with Ephraim standing as the symbol of the apostate nation in its leadership in apostasy. The good thing cast off is God's law and covenant. That casting off includes rejecting the Lord's Sabbath and accepting a humanly instituted sabbath in its place. The claim to know God was contradicted by actions that broke His covenant and law.
In rejecting what is good, Israel was broken in judgment and unable to discern the disastrous outcome of its evil course. Strangers were devouring its strength unnoticed, like gray hairs coming unnoticed upon a man. Because what is good was rejected, the enemy pursues as the consequence of that disobedience. Utter destruction was imminent, and the ten tribes would soon become wanderers among the nations.
The same pattern applies in the last days when people exalt human laws above God's law. Those who remain loyal to God's commandments then face persecution for refusing to honor the humanly established Sabbath. That loyalty brings injustice in court and loss of favor.
Israel in the verse is the ten tribes, with Ephraim standing as the symbol of the apostate nation in its leadership in apostasy. The good thing cast off is God's law and covenant. That casting off includes rejecting the Lord's Sabbath and accepting a humanly instituted sabbath in its place. The claim to know God was contradicted by actions that broke His covenant and law.
In rejecting what is good, Israel was broken in judgment and unable to discern the disastrous outcome of its evil course. Strangers were devouring its strength unnoticed, like gray hairs coming unnoticed upon a man. Because what is good was rejected, the enemy pursues as the consequence of that disobedience. Utter destruction was imminent, and the ten tribes would soon become wanderers among the nations.
The same pattern applies in the last days when people exalt human laws above God's law. Those who remain loyal to God's commandments then face persecution for refusing to honor the humanly established Sabbath. That loyalty brings injustice in court and loss of favor.