The Congregation Hears an Invader's Terror

Rejected instruction makes incense from Sheba unaccepted

Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

The oracle does not demean ritual itself or Jewish law. Offerings fail because words and torah were rejected. Nations and congregation are summoned as witnesses, not as replacements for Judah.

A cruel northern people produce paralysis and labor-like anguish

I will lay stumblingblocks before this people. Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth. They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion. We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.

Fear and labor pain do not reveal moral failure in the terrified. The unit does not tell people in danger that their anguish is unbelief. The northern army is still not a modern country. 'Fear is on every side' names the siege climate, not a personality defect.