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7 illustrations for sermon preparation
Israel possessed intellectual knowledge—their scribes could recite the Law—yet this knowledge never reached the heart.
Exell identifies the distinguishing mark of such hollow speech: the avoidance of Scripture's most penetrating term—*sin* (*hamartia*, missing the mark before God).
Consider the empty house: bills posted in windows reading "To let," black windows gaping without blinds or curtains, long matted grass overtaking the lawn, doors creaking on hinges as if reluctant to wake.
The prophet identifies a moral catastrophe: men and women who possess eyes yet refuse to see Yahweh's *providentia* (providence) ordering all things in heaven and earth.
The Husbandman planted a choice vine on a fruitful hill, fenced it carefully, built a watchtower, and hewn a winepress—yet it brought forth wild grapes (*beushim*, worthless fruit) instead of the expected harvest of righteousness.
Alexander observes, this sin must be abjured both for its destructive effects and as the worst form of pride.
We hear denunciations of unfaithfulness and immediately agree; yet we fail to recognize ourselves in those very terms.
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