The first verse is a direct contrast with God in chapter 2 vs 19-20. God calls them “inhabitants of the land”, a demotion from “beloved people”. Languish means to become weak and feeble. Blame starts at the top and finds its way through every level. The priests were put in charge of the Word of God and it’s distribution to the people. Oak tree represents strength, morale, resistance, and knowledge. Poplar represents strong roots that provide grounding, security, and resilience. Terebinth represents a memorial to the dead, knowledge of right and wrong, and was often used as a landmark.
Israel is breaking every boundary that God set up for their good. That has led to a break down in religion, families, communities, morality, and environment. Everyone says it’s everyone else’s fault. To quote my favorite line from the movie ‘Remember The Titans’, —“Attitude reflects leadership, Captain”. Vs 9a God says when the priests fail to teach knowledge of God, EVERY THING suffers. The Israelites looked to pieces of wood for wisdom. Yet, they sat under the whole tree, that God Himself provided in their neighborhood, complete with spiritual significance, and they couldn’t see anything but their own comfort. The domino effect that caused drunkenness, swearing, lying, murder, stealing, adultery, “bloodshed after bloodshed” started with lack of knowledge of God. And Israel is stubborn, wanting to live however they want, yet they expect God to feed them like a helpless lamb in a beautiful pasture. They have forsaken the Lord and He will change their glory to shame.
This chapter is a plug for Bible Literacy. Lack of knowledge of the Word of God destroys entire civilizations. The world around us feeds on the sin of the people who would bear the name of children of God. They love to see us fail. Vs 8. This chapter changes me because I want to be an honorable representation of the God who loves me. I don’t want any of these things to be said of me. But that starts with knowing God. You have to care enough to put the time in to know Him. He. Is. Worth. It. 
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