Before the decree bring forth, [before] the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.
Ver. 2. Before the decree bring forth] The decree is great bellied, and will shortly bring forth, if not prevented. There is an execution towards; and if course be not timeously taken, ye are like to pay, not the debt only, but charges and damages. Look to it quickly "before the decree," &c. Here are three cautionary "befores," as there are four comfortable "yets" to be read Zechariah 1:17. God yet offers them mercy, as Alexander did those he warred against, while the lamp burned; and as Tamerlane, while the white flag was hung out. See Jeremiah 18:7,8 .
Before the day pass as the chaff] Before that day of the Lord that is near, very near, Zephaniah 1:14,15. Pass upon you, and ye become as chaff before the wind, as the dust of the mountains before the whirlwind. O fan you, fan you; for else God will fan you after another fashion; search you, or he will soon search you with candles, Zephaniah 1:12; gather yourselves together, or he will gather your souls with sinners, and your lives with bloody men, Psalms 26:9. Would men but judge themselves God would not judge them, 1 Corinthians 11:31; did they but see their sins to confession they should never see them to their confusion, Proverbs 28:13, would they but meet God, as Abigail did David, they might disarm his indignation. Saving a little pains in this case doubleth it; and the best that can come of negligence is repentance. It is better that we should try ourselves, than that he should try us in his furnace of temptation, or other affliction. Do it, therefore, "before the day pass as the chaff," or before the chaff or stubble pass in that day, pass before the wind wherewith God shall winnow you, who would not winnow yourselves. The scholar that will not scan his own verses shall find that, his master will scan them to his cost. And the tradesman that will not cast up his books shall have his books to cast up him at length.
Before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you] As a mighty torrent of fire, such as you are never able to avoid or abide. Abused mercy turneth into fury; neither will God suffer his patience to stand still for a sinning stock. Twice in a breath these hypocrites are here told what to trust unto for more surety.