Because they have committed a trespass— Because they have grievously trespassed. The Vulgate and Chaldee have it, Because they have been prevaricators. "They are not mere sinners," says St. Jerome, "like other nations, but have been guilty of prevarication;" for it is one thing to neglect what a person is ignorant of, and another to contemn what we should worship.
REFLECTIONS.—Jerusalem in her beauty was the joy of the whole earth; but now that sin has defiled her, the flames are kindling to devour her palaces.
1. She is compared to a wild and barren vine, the most unprofitable and useless tree in the forest; unfit for any work, and only suited for fuel to the fire. And if when flourishing it be not fit for any service, how much less when reduced to ashes.
2. The application of this similitude to Jerusalem follows. This city, with the inhabitants thereof, as the unprofitable vine, is doomed to the flames, because of their great provocations. God's wrath is kindled; and his face, as an implacable enemy, set against them; they were wholly unprofitable, brought him no glory: yea, noxious as the plants of a wild vine; therefore their land shall be desolate, the fire devour them, and one calamity on another pursue them, till they are utterly consumed, and God terribly made known to them, in the judgments that he would execute upon them. Note; Wrath pursues impenitent sinners, till it is perfected in the everlasting burnings.