Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Because they rebelled against the words of God -
1. God showed them their duty and their interest, and commanded them to obey his word; but they cast off all subjection to his authority, acted as if they were independent of heaven and earth, and broke out into open rebellion against him.
2. He counsealed and exhorted them to return to him: but they contemned his advice, and turned his counsel into ridicule.
3. As lenient means were ineffectual, he visited them in judgment: hence it is added,