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They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.
Verse Takeaways
1
When Leaders Profit from Sin
Commentators unanimously explain that the priests had a corrupt incentive. They 'fed on the sin' of the people because more sin led to more sacrifices, which was their source of income. Instead of rebuking wrongdoing, they encouraged it for personal gain, creating what John Calvin called a 'collusion' between corrupt leaders and a willing people. This serves as a stark warning against any spiritual leadership that prioritizes its own benefit over the holiness of its people.
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Hosea
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5
18th Century
Presbyterian
They eat up the sin of My people - The priests made a gain from the sins of the people, lived on them and by them, conniving at or …
19th Century
Anglican
The increase in numbers and prosperity probably refers to the priesthood, who, as they grew in numbers, became more alienated from the true God. Th…
16th Century
Protestant
This verse has led many interpreters to think that all the particulars we have noticed should be restricted to the priests alone, but there is no s…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
They eat up the sin of my people That is, the priests did so, as the Targum, the priests of Jeroboam; they ate up th…
Both priests and people rejected knowledge, so God will justly reject them. They forgot the law of God. They neither desired nor endeavored to reta…