What is the context?
The Lord strikes His hands together against the city’s unjust gain and bloodshed. The wealth accumulated through harm has become part of the accusation against it.
He asks whether the people’s courage and strength will endure when He acts. Their present ability to profit and dominate cannot determine the outcome.
He announces scattering among the nations and the purging of uncleanness. Before the same nations among whom the city will be exposed, the people will come to know that He is the Lord.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Henry connects the warning with the ruinous outcome of choosing one’s own desires as master. Wesley understands the question about strength as exposing the inability to withstand the evils now coming.
The passage overturns the appearance that successful wrongdoing has made Jerusalem secure. The Lord’s announced action is the answer to that confidence.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.