What is the context?
The focus turns to a message against Jacob and Israel, with Ephraim and Samaria named directly. These are the people of the northern kingdom. Their response to loss is proud confidence that they can replace what has fallen with something better.
The fallen bricks and felled sycamores become a boast about finished stone and cedars. The problem is the attitude expressed in the rebuilding: the people answer a warning with confidence in their own ability to recover, while refusing to face what has gone wrong before God.
The Lord raises up enemies, and Israel is attacked by Aram from the east and Philistia from the west. The closing line says His anger has not turned away and His hand remains upraised. This refrain returns in verses 17 and 21, holding the warnings together.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Henry and Wesley understand the rebuilding speech as a refusal to be humbled. Wesley describes the speakers as expecting to repair their losses to their own advantage; Henry stresses the danger of remaining proud under circumstances meant to turn people back to God.
The NABRE notes likewise read these verses as part of a series of judgments against the northern kingdom, with continued rebellion explaining the repeated refrain. The central issue across these readings is the people’s response to God, rather than the choice of building materials.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.