The Lord continues to describe the curses Israel will face if the nation turns from the Lord and from obeying His commandments. Unfortunately, Israel rebelled against the Lord and suffered through the troubles listed in this chapter.

What Does It Say?

1. Israel would go out _______ way against her enemies, but would flee _________ ways before them.
2. They would grope at ___________ as the blind grope in ____________.
3. The Lord will bring them to a __________ which neither they nor their fathers had known and they will serve other gods of ________ and _________.
4. The stranger within Israel will _______ to Israel and Israel will not _______ to the stranger. He shall be the _______ and Israel will be the _________.
5. All these curses will come on Israel to destroy her because they have not hearkened to the _________ of the Lord God.

What Does It Mean?

1. Verses 27-28 list seven different physical afflictions that will come on Israel: the botch of Egypt, the emerods, the scab, the itch, madness, blindness, and astonishment of heart. Using English dictionaries, Bible dictionaries, and good common sense, see how many of these sicknesses you can explain.
2. In her oppression (v.33), Israel shall be “mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see” (v.34). Madness is, of course, insanity or craziness. Jeremiah, upon seeing the sufferings of the people of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem, said, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart” (Lamentations 3:51Mine eye affecteth mine heart because of all the daughters of my city.
   See All...). What are some of the things we see today and how do they affect us? How could one go mad by what they saw?
3. Israel will become “an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations” (v.37). A proverb is usually a concise wise saying. How can Israel become a proverb to the nations? What is a byword and how does it apply to this prophecy?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. When Israel loses here sons and daughters into captivity, thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand” (v.32). What causes this sense of helplessness? What situations cause this sense of helplessness in people today? What is God’s answer for it?
2. They will have sons and daughters born to them, but they will not enjoy them because they will be taken into captivity (v.41). Think of a spiritual application. What takes people into captivity today? What are the effects of this captivity? What three steps would you tell people to take if they were in captivity to some sinful habit?