Reproof and Consolation.

It hurt the souls of prophets to see violations of justice and piety. They understood that breach of

the law by a minority was a bad example and temptation for the others. They saw that immorality

was  dragging  the  country  to  spiritual and physical catastrophe. Therefore, in the strongest of

words and with relentless sincerity they rebuked the sinners and openly talked about the severity

of punishment for their lawlessness.

  Below are several rebuking statements, characteristic of the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah:

.Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are cor-

rupters... Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole

head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there

is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been

closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment... Bring no more vain oblations;

incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assem-

blies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. (Isaiah 1:4-6, 1:13-18).

Menacing are God's words said through the prophet Jeremiah shortly before the fall of Jerusalem:

.Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD... are these... Will ye steal,

murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk af-

ter other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is

called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house,

which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?.

Seeing the hardening of the people.s hearts, the prophet bitterly mourned their perdition in these

words:

.Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day

and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh that I had in the wilderness a

lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they

be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men... And they will deceive every one his

neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and

weary themselves to commit iniquity... Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the

LORD:  shall  not my  soul  be  avenged  on  such  a  nation  as  this?  I  will  make  Jerusalem

heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an in-

habitant. (Jeremiah, Chapters 7 and 9).

But the prophets not only reproved. When it came to public adversities and woe, they were quick

to give consolation to those who repented with hope for God's mercy, promised Divine help and

foretold a better future.

.Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,

and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she

hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins. O Zion, that bringest good tid-

ings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up

thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your

God! Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him:

behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a

shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom. (Isaiah

40:1-2; 9-11).