But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.
Ver. 7. But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee.] They will not. See the like, John 5:40; John 8:44. A man's will is his hell, saith Bernard. And it is easier, saith another, to deal with twenty men's reasons, than with one man's will. What hope is there of those that will not hear; or, if they do, yet have made their conclusion beforehand, and will stir no more than a stake in the midst of a stream?
For they will not hearken unto me.] Speaking unto them in the Scriptures. See Hos 8:12 Mat 10:24-25 John 15:18, &c. Let this speech of God to the prophet comfort faithful ministers, contra cervicosos et cerebrosos istos hypocritas, that reject or resist their preaching. What are we that we may not be slighted, whenas Christ himself the arch-prophet is?
Impudent.] Heb., Stiff of forehead. This was a point next the worst. Illum ego periisse dice cui periit pudor, said that heathen: a he is an undone man who is past shame.
a Curtius.