v1-2: The message of the end; something final and decisive.

v3: Israel fully deserved all that befell her. She should have known better; for to her was committed the oracles of God.

v4: See 5.11, no pity. Her conduct and detestable practices; speaking of serious matters. We tend to play down the seriousness of sins. Since we cannot repay the wrongs we have done, for Christ has paid in full, we may lose the sense of this seriousness.

v5-8: The end has come, the unheard of disaster; the day of destruction has dawned, and the people are already suffering.

v9: The character of the Lord is revealed through His judgment; we see Him as holy and fair.

v10-11: See James 1.15; sin, now full-grown, has brought forth death. The people's persistent rebellion had these consequences. The rod is a reference to Babylon, now the dominant force in the Middle East.

v12-13: Normal life could not continue; buying and selling mattered little, for judgment has arrived.

v14: Israel made a vain attempt to fight, but the Lord was against her, their own plans and thoughts proved useless.

v15: Plague and famine and sword, see 5.2,12; there is no escape.

v16: Mourning over their iniquities, but after the disaster has come. We should be more conscious of our personal sins.

v17-18: A very few escape (6.8), but will have no strength, and live in fear. Their survival is due to God's mercy.

v19: Material riches proved useless; silver and gold thrown away. They previously trusted in these things, but they became a stumbling block, leading them into sin.

v20-22: In addition, their jewellery, again linked with idolatry, would make them ashamed.

v23-24: The land was full of bloodshed, their city full of violence; their form of religion promoted such things. True religion affects our behaviour, and changes it.

v25: They will seek peace, but find none.

v26: As disaster follows disaster, they try to seek God, but the prophet has no message for them; Heaven is silent.

v27: Judgment according to what they deserve.