A. Yahweh’s Triumphant March Through Palestine (9:1-8)

Oracle (Maśśā', v.1) is repeated in this same grammatical expression in 12:1 and Mal 1:1 only. It signifies a “burden” imposed on the prophet compelling him to speak a message he might otherwise avoid (Baldwin, 162-63). Although there are many inspiring passages in chs. 9-11, their conclusion in 11:4-17 must have been an onerous word to speak.

See the commentaries for details on the geographical references in these verses. In general, Yahweh is pictured coming from the north, moving west and south along the Mediterranean coast, and finally arriving at the temple in Jerusalem (“my house,” v.8). Along the way, he defeats all of Israel’s traditional enemies, demonstrating his sovereign power and his love for Judah. The reassuring message of the paragraph climaxes in v.8: “Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.”