And though they say, The LORD lives; surely they swear falsely.
Read Chapter 5
Cyprian of Carthage
AD 258
Disasters occur either to discipline the obstinate people or punish evil people. The same God declares in the Holy Scriptures, “I have struck your children in vain. They have not received correction.” The prophet devoted and dedicated to God answers these words in the same way and says, “You struck them, but they have not grieved. You scourged them, but they have refused to receive correction.” See, God inflicts stripes, and there is no fear of God. - "To Demetrian 7"
Falsely. Some may confess my name. But they swear falsely, chap. iv. 2. (Calmet)
Unless the requisite conditions be observed, an oath is unlawful. (Worthington)
Who among us has amended his life, or what part of the Roman world, no matter how afflicted, is corrected? As we read, “For all have declined, they have become useless at same time.” Therefore, the prophet cries out to God and says, “You have struck them, and they have not sorrowed. You have consumed them, and they have refused to accept discipline. They have hardened their faces harder than a rock and were unwilling to return.” Present affairs show how truly this applies to us. - "The Governance of God 7.12"
