If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
The question arises at a moment of counsel to flee, when the upright are pressed to escape to the mountain like a frightened bird. That flight is urged because the wicked have made their bows ready to shoot in secret at those who are upright in heart. In that setting of hidden attack and threatened flight, the inquiry is what the righteous can accomplish when the foundations are torn down and ruined.
The divine answer is that the Lord still remains in His holy temple, with His throne established in heaven. From there He watches and examines all people, testing and proving the children of men. He examines and tries the righteous, yet He hates the wicked and everyone who loves violence. Upon the wicked He will send their allotted portion of judgment in the form of ensnaring ruin, fire and burning sulfur, and a dreadful, terrible storm. He acts in this way because He loves righteousness and looks with favor upon the upright.
The question arises at a moment of counsel to flee, when the upright are pressed to escape to the mountain like a frightened bird. That flight is urged because the wicked have made their bows ready to shoot in secret at those who are upright in heart. In that setting of hidden attack and threatened flight, the inquiry is what the righteous can accomplish when the foundations are torn down and ruined.
The divine answer is that the Lord still remains in His holy temple, with His throne established in heaven. From there He watches and examines all people, testing and proving the children of men. He examines and tries the righteous, yet He hates the wicked and everyone who loves violence. Upon the wicked He will send their allotted portion of judgment in the form of ensnaring ruin, fire and burning sulfur, and a dreadful, terrible storm. He acts in this way because He loves righteousness and looks with favor upon the upright.