The LORD enters into covenant lawsuit against His people, calling mountains and hills as witnesses: 'What have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer Me!' He recounts the saving acts of exodus from Egypt, of Balak's schemes thwarted by Balaam's blessing, of the journey from Shittim to Gilgal. The people's hypothetical question about what offerings might appease God—thousands of rams? rivers of oil? firstborn children?—receives the prophetic answer: 'He has shown you, O man, what is good: to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.' Yet wicked scales, lying tongues, and violence prevail, bringing desolation upon them for following Omri and Ahab's statutes.
Egypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
God's lawsuit against Israel, what He requires, confession and confidence.
