Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
The stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed time - the instinct of the migratory birds leads them with unfailing regularity to return every spring from their winter abodes in summer climes (Song of Solomon 2:12). But God's people will not return to Him even when "the winter" of His wrath is past, and He invites them back to "the spring" of His favour.
In the heaven - emphatic. The birds whose very element is the air, in which they are never at rest, yet show a steady sagacity which God's people do not.
The crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming - namely, of migrating and of returning.
My people - this honourable title aggravates the unnatural perversity of the Jews toward their God. Know not ... - (Jeremiah 5:4-5; Isaiah 1:3, "The ox knoweth his owner, and the donkey his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider").