But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
Ver. 12. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword] In gladium transibunt, they shall pass away by the sword; that is, some evil end shall befall them, and worthily, because they would not be warned, which is both a presage and desert of utter ruin. Lesser and lighter judgments (where they work not) are foretokens of greater and heavier at the heels of them; as the black horse in the Revelation followeth the red. And as clouds cluster against a storm, one following in the neck of the other, unless the sun break forth and scatter them; so do God's judgments usher in one another and every less a greater, unless repentance and better obedience take up the matter.
And they shall die without knowledge] Heb. because they were without knowledge; and wilfully so. It was not a bare nescience, but an affected ignorance, that undid them. Some render it, Non praesentientes, they shall die suddenly, and before they have bethought themselves. It should be our care that death do not suddenly surprise us. No guest comes unawares to him who keeps a constant table. Every sharp affliction is a warning piece, and let us so conceive of it, Stillicidia praecedunt ruinam.