The Lord describes his people as lost sheep who have been led astray by their shepherds. This is once again a reference to the failure of Israel’s leadership, both political and religious, to lead the nation in covenant faithfulness. The reference of going from mountain to hill
is probably speaking of the pagan worship that took place in Judah.1 The result is that they have forgotten their fold,
who is the Lord.
This betrayal of the Lord left his people vulnerable to outside attack. Those who did attack, such as the Babylonians, claimed to be justified in doing so because the people had sinned against the Lord, their habitation of righteousness, the Lord, the hope of their fathers.
It may well be that the Babylonians had a clearer perception of the enormity of the rebellion of the Lord’s people than they had themselves
.2 This recognition by foreign nations of Israel’s failure does not amount to acknowledging the Lord. It is simply an assessment based on the message of Israel’s own prophets. And even though this assessment of Israel’s faithlessness and how deserving they were of judgment was indeed correct, the Lord had also promised that, although Israel was guilty, all who devoured his people would be devoured themselves.3
7 Tous ceux qui les trouvaient les dévoraient, Et leurs ennemis disaient: Nous ne sommes point coupables, Puisqu'ils ont péché contre l'Eternel, la demeure de la justice, Contre l'Eternel, l'espérance de leurs pères.