1. A sharp rebuke is addressed to those apostates who, in pride, vaunt themselves against the righteous, (vs. 3-4).
a. The language of verse 3 is far from complimentary; yet, it clearly describes the idolatry of God’s own covenant people -especially under kings Ahaz and Manasseh, (comp. Malachi 3:5; Matthew 16:4).
b. Why should such a people sneer, jeer and stick out their tongues at the righteous? (vs. 4a; 2 Chronicles 36:16-17).
c. Are they not a disloyal brood - children of SIN and DISGRACE? (vs. 46).
2. Verses 5 and 6 are addressed to the devotees of the cult of nature - who follow their own lusts.
a. With burning lust they sought out their idols under every green tree, (vs. 5a; 2 Kings 17:9-12).
b. In the valley of Tophet, outside Jerusalem, they burned their children in the brazen arms of Moloch - while beating drums to drown out their agonizing cries! (vs. 5b; 2 Chronicles 28:3; 2 Chronicles 33:6; comp. 2 Kings 17:31).
c. They chose idols from smooth stones and poured out their libations before them, (vs. 6a).
d. Can the true and living God, their Creator and Preserver, be expected to bear this with patience?
3. The gross wickedness of their adulterous worship of nature is portrayed in verses 7-8; here it becomes more evident, however, that the prophet uses literal language to graphically set forth a SPIRITUAL DEPARTURE.
a. The complaint is not only against illicit sexual experience, but also of the nation’s infidelity to her divine HUSBAND!
b. It is entirely possible that there is a reference here to the Asherah worship in which carvings of human sexual organs played a prominent roll, and which also led to the exposure of the secret organs of the worshippers themselves.
c. The charge is that, deserting her Lord, Israel has spread wide her adulterous bed and, while gazing upon the symbols of her harlotry, bargained with those whose embraces she loved! (vs. 8; contrast Deuteronomy 6:5-6; Deuteronomy 6:9; Deuteronomy 11:18-20).
4. To what limitless extremes they were willing to go (away from God) in these cultic exertions! (vs. 9-10).
a. Anointing themselves for Molech, they have sent him presents of oil and perfume (vs. 9a) - indicating their actual offering of sacrifice to a heathen deity!
b. Sending her ambassadors afar, she has debased herself to the very depths of Sheol - which evidently suggest necromancy.
c. Exhausting as were her labors to collect all sorts of foreign icons, with which she desecrated the very temple of Jehovah, she never stopped to consider the vanity of her actions!
d. Quickened by the strength of Him whose name she has so wretchedly dishonored, Israel has not fainted with discouragement, but has pursued her harlotry with vigor!
e. Before passing too harsh judgment on a privileged people who could so thoughtlessly dishonor their Lord, it might be best to recognize and judge the various forms of infidelity piously indulged by too many professing Christians - even churchmen, in our day. How zealously do many pursue unworthy goals, by unworthy methods, in order to gain the recognition, prestige and applause of this world - thus, effectively "denying the Lord that bought them"!