The Lord brought clear charges against his people. Israel had become a community marked by lies and dishonesty. Because of this, they faced rejection and destruction.
The people gained wealth through dishonest means. They used unfair business practices and relied on threats and violence. These actions were not fitting for people who claimed to belong to God (see 2 Kings 6:25; Hosea 12:7–8; Amos 8:5–6).
They were unable to change because lying had become their normal way of life (compare Proverbs 6:16–19). As a result, Israel was corrupt in every part of its life.