God always forewarns before he judges. His warning is designed to bring us to our senses, and it is given so often in kindness. Even here when judgment was at the door, and the hour was very late, he was willing to forgive individuals. The judgment was not going to be averted now, but there was a remnant, and they would be protected by the God who holds the destiny of each one individually in his hand.
‘Before the decree bring forth’ – there was a short time of opportunity for them to start listening to the prophet, and come to God for mercy. That language tells us he was willing to receive them even now. It is a terrible thing for us to leave it too late to turn to God, and it should be wonderful news to us that there is even short time longer during which he will hear our cries and by sympathetic to them. There is a decree goes forth from God, and after that there is noting in heaven or earth that can change his mind.
‘Before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.’ We must take seriously the warnings of God. What could be more foolish than to scorn them, and to mock God for language like this? Don’t we realise that we are completely at his disposal? Does a man dangling by a rope over a precipice mock the one who is holding the rope? God’s anger is not something we can cope with. We have never yet felt the full force of it if we still have life in this world. We take for granted our peace of mind, but he can disturb us more profoundly than we can even imagine. There is a day and you know that day is coming, but you don’t know exactly when. How can you gamble with your eternal future by continuing a minute longer in your stubborn resistance to the will of God?