Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
Ver. 23. For why should there be wrath] Heb. Boiling or foaming anger, great indignation, as it is rendered, and made the utmost degree of the Divine displeasure, Deuteronomy 29:28. Of all things God cannot endure to be slighted, and to have his service neglected; this blind nature saw, and was, therefore, sedulous herein to prevent wrath. Aristotle hath this divine precept, Pρωτα περι θειων επιμελει, Make religion thy first and chief care, that thou mayest prosper, &c. (Arist. Polit. l. 7. c. 8). Let our worship scorners look to it: Do they provoke the Lord to wrath? Are they stronger than he? Will they bring God's vengeance upon us all?
Against the realm of the king and his sons] For God is higher than the highest, and will rain down indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doth evil, or that neglecteth to do good, Romans 2:8,9; for not serving of God, not sacrificing, is a sin, Mal 3:18 Ecclesiastes 9:2. And sin doth as naturally draw and suck judgments to it, both personal and public, as the lodestone doth iron, or turpentine fire.