And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Ver. 29. And testifiedst against them] Toldest them of their sins, foretoldest them of their dangers, didst all that could be done to do them good; but nothing would do.
Yet they dealt proudly] See Nehemiah 9:16 .
And hearkened not] intus existens prohibuit alienum, Hear, and give ear, be not proud, Jeremiah 13:15 .
But sinned against thy judgments] i.e. Thy statutes, though made with so much reason and respect to our good, that if God did not command them, yet were it every way our best way to practise them: Isaiah 48:17, "I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way which thou shouldest go." As who should say, It is for thy profit that I command thee this or that, and not for mine own.
Which if a man do] But that, as now, he cannot do, and, therefore, not be saved by the law, Romans 10:5. Our Saviour indeed said to that young justiciary, "This do, and thou shalt live," Luke 10:28. But that was all one, saith Luther, as if Christ had said unto him, Vade et morere, Go upon thy death; for do this of thyself, and live thereby, thou art never able.
And withdrew the shoulder] When called to take up Christ's yoke, or to bear his cross. See the note on Zechariah 7:11 .
And hardened their neck] To sinews of iron they added brows of brass.