* They feared.
41 1Ki 18:21 Ho 10:2 Zep 1:5 Mt 6:24 Lu 16:13
* whom they carried, etc. or, who carried them away from
thence.
The new inhabitants of the land imitated the idolatrous
Israelites, by associating their idols with Jehovah, as the
objects of worship. The remainder, however, of the verses
seem to relate to the Israelites after they were carried
captive. They still persevered in idolatry and disobedience;
and not being purified, were left to be consumed in the
furnace. It is said that the Israelites "did not fear the
Lord," yet the heathens, who followed their example, are said
"to have feared the Lord." The Israelites did not so much as
fear the wrath of Almighty God; but, on the other hand, the
poor pagans feared the power of his wrath, and to avert it
paid some ignorant worship, according to the wretched
instructions given them. As this was an external
acknowledgement of his power and Godhead, and a homage paid to
him,he was pleased in consequence to withdraw his judgements
from them.--SCOTT
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