Firstly, the people of Judah are stirred up in this prophecy to consider the sad condition in which the entire land was at that time, because of the fearful plague of all manner of vermin and drought. Further, they are exhorted to true repentance, fasting and praying with the promise of pardon, the removal of the general calamity, and the forwarding of abundant blessings, in case they would follow the prophet’s counsel. After that, secondly, the Spirit of the LORD prophecies further at this occasion, of the blessed state of the church under the MESSIAH, of the sending forth of the Holy Spirit, and the preservation of the church in the dismal latter days, together with the judgment of God upon all wicked enemies, and the everlasting happiness of His church.