The prophet made plain the fact that our heavenly Father allows His judgments to fall, "that the nations may know themselves to be but men." Psalm 9:20. "If ye walk contrary unto Me, and will not hearken unto Me," the Lord had forewarned His people, "I, even I, . . . will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste." Leviticus 26:21, 28,33.

Profeten gjorde det klart, at vor himmelske Fader lader sine straffedomme falde for at "lade folkene kende, at de er mennesker". Sl. 9,21. Herren havde givet sit folk denne advarsel: "Hvis I alligevel handler genstridigt imod mig og ikke adlyder mig," "vil jeg sprede" "eder selv" "blandt folkeslagene, og jeg vil gå bag efter eder med draget sværd. Eders land skal blive en ørken, og eders byer skal lægges, i ruiner." 3Mos. 26,21. og 33.