I. The word estranged implies a former condition of close relationship and affection, from which they have since fallen. You would not say of a mere acquaintance, if you ceased to see him, that he was estranged from you; but if the love of an old friend grow cold, if a child become indifferent to his home, or a husband fail in his devotion to his wife, you describe such a falling off as estrangement. In this temper certain elders of Israel presented themselves before the prophet of God. God's eye marked them as they came, and He warned His prophet instantly. God will not hear their prayer, nor answer them. Why? "Because they are all estranged from Me through their idols."
II. The question which God puts "Should I be enquired of at all by them?" expects the answer "No," and yet it is not the answer which He gives it. His answer admits us to a nearer view of His mysterious dealings with men. When men thus estranged and alienated from Him in heart present themselves in person before Him, He does not refuse them an audience. They pray, He hears their prayer is answered; but how fatal is the gift which He grants! "I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols."
III. "That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart." This is God's purpose in answering the evil desires of hearts alienated from His love. Their heart is to become the snare, the net in which they shall be caught, the pitfall in which they shall be entrapped. Could we look back on our years past we should see how many wishes, cherished while we professed to give them up for God, how many talents used in vanity, how many selfish prayers persisted in and gratified, had become like the meshes of a net to take our souls withal. Look back in time, turn your face towards God in real prayer, pray that He may not fulfil His threats, nor answer any other of your prayers, except you say, "Not my will, but Thine, be done."
C. W. Furse, Sermons preached at Richmond,p. 12.