“Any one of the house of Israel,
Or of the aliens
Who reside in Israel,
Who separate themselves
From me,
By taking their idols
Into their hearts,
Place their iniquity
As a stumbling block
Before them.
Yet they come
To a prophet
To inquire of me
By him.
I,
Yahweh,
Will answer them
Myself.
I will set my face
Against them.
I will make them
A sign,
A byword.
I will cut them off
From the midst
Of my people.
You shall know
That I am Yahweh.”
Yahweh repeated himself. He left no doubt about his feelings. Anyone from the house of Israel, or those foreigners living in Israel who followed the Israelite law, who separated themselves from Yahweh, would receive a direct response from Yahweh. Their iniquity or wickedness of putting idols before Yahweh would be a stumbling block in their relationship. Why had they come to see the prophet? Yahweh would speak directly with them. They would become a sign and a byword, as they would be separated from the Israelite community. They would be cast out and shunned, because they would be cut off from the other Israelites. They should soon realize that Yahweh was God, and no one else.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 