They were confounded, because they committed abomination: yea, rather they were not confounded with confusion, and they knew not how to blush: wherefore they shall fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall fall down, saith the Lord.
הֹבִ֕ישׁוּ כִּ֥י תוֹעֵבָ֖ה עָשׂ֑וּ גַּם־בּ֣וֹשׁ לֹֽא־יֵב֗וֹשׁוּ גַּם־הַכְלִים֙ לֹ֣א יָדָ֔עוּ לָכֵ֞ן יִפְּל֧וּ בַנֹּפְלִ֛ים בְּעֵת־פְּקַדְתִּ֥ים יִכָּשְׁל֖וּ אָמַ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Feeling ashamed, perhaps. In what way did they experience this shame? The proof lay not in mere words, but in their actions. The unfolding events themselves brought about their humiliation. Though conflict was imminent, they remained unwavering. Consider that a soul in a foul mood requires no additional signs to understand its state. Hence, it is stated, They shall fall by their fall.
Consequently, they will be among those who stumble, specifically the prophets who seek to mend the afflictions of my people and divert the impending calamities. When the time of reckoning arrives, they will meet their demise—that is, when what has been decreed comes to fruition, both the people and their deceivers, the false prophets, will together face severe judgment.
Were they conscious of their wickedness? Indeed, they were not only unashamed but lacked even the capacity to blush. This can be articulated more vividly in the original Hebrew. With countless transgressions committed, were they remorseful? No, they further compounded their iniquity through neglect, failing to recognize the gravity of their actions. I suggest they were incapable of feeling shame due to either a willful ignorance or a profound insensitivity rooted in longstanding sin. Yet, they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought low at the time of reckoning, declares the Lord.
Because, says the Lord, they were devoid of shame, possessing not only the act itself but also a complete lack of understanding and contrition: for this reason shall they be cast down alongside those who have gone before them. They will be brought low by their own sins, and when the moment of correction arrives, they shall meet the same end as all who have previously fallen. It is a grave sin to not only lack fear but also a desire to comprehend one's sins, failing to discern between righteousness and wrongdoing.
They felt embarrassment over their shame yet were unaware of their disgrace. Nevertheless, the prophet asserts that they will eventually face consequences for their actions. In the time of their reckoning, they will experience fatigue, declares the Lord. Following this, the rebellion of the Israelites becomes evident, while the calling of the Gentiles is anticipated (Jer. 6:16). These are the words of the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, observe, and seek the eternal paths; you will discern which way leads to righteousness, follow it, and you will find sanctification for your souls. There are numerous routes; these are the sacred Prophets, yet the truly righteous path is our Lord Himself. For He proclaims, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6).
Every prophetic route culminates in this path; it has also been indicated by Moses, the lawgiver, who stated, 'The Lord thy God will raise up a prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me' (Deut. 18:15). Furthermore, David, the king and prophet, along with Isaiah, Micah, Ezekiel, and all the Prophets, direct us toward this same path. Just as there is a single route to the grand cities, which we refer to as kingdoms and royal cities, with multiple pathways stemming from various villages and communities, similarly, there exists one way that leads to the Father—the only begotten Son of God. The blessed Prophets serve as specific paths that guide those who aspire to traverse them toward this direction. Thus, the prophetic message urges the Israelites to adhere to the prophetic trails, learn about the righteous way through them, and walk in it. However, the Israelites, as was their custom, stumbled and failed to comply with the Lord's command. 'Let us not go,' the Prophet counsels. Yet, he extends an alternative guidance:
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS