Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
The "smooth stones" (chalaqei-nachal) likely refers to sacred stones used in pagan worship, possibly phallic symbols associated with fertility cults. The wordplay on chalaq (smooth/portion) is intentional—these stones are their "portion" (chelqech) and "lot" (goral), mocking Israel's true inheritance as God's portion (Deuteronomy 32:9, Psalm 16:5). Drink offerings and meat offerings were elements of legitimate Yahweh worship (Leviticus 23:13, Numbers 15:1-10), here grotesquely perverted to honor idols. The final rhetorical question, "Should I receive comfort in these?" reveals divine pathos—God expresses wounded grief over His people's betrayal. The Hebrew niccham means "to be comforted" or "to relent." God asks whether He should simply accept this betrayal and withhold judgment. Reformed theology recognizes both God's immutability and His covenantal grief over sin, distinguishing anthropopathic language from any suggestion of divine changeability.
Historical Context
Stone worship was widespread in ancient Near Eastern religions, with sacred standing stones (masseboth) marking holy sites. The Canaanites used such stones to represent Baal and other deities. Streams and valleys were considered especially sacred in fertility religion because water symbolized life-giving power. The perverted use of legitimate sacrificial terminology shows how Israel syncretized Yahweh worship with pagan practices rather than maintaining covenant purity. This syncretism characterized much of Judah's history, particularly during periods when weak or wicked kings tolerated or encouraged such abominations.
Questions for Reflection
What does it mean that God grieves over sin while remaining unchangeably holy?
How can legitimate religious practices become empty or even sinful when our hearts are far from God?
What is our true portion and inheritance according to the New Covenant?
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Analysis & Commentary
The "smooth stones" (chalaqei-nachal) likely refers to sacred stones used in pagan worship, possibly phallic symbols associated with fertility cults. The wordplay on chalaq (smooth/portion) is intentional—these stones are their "portion" (chelqech) and "lot" (goral), mocking Israel's true inheritance as God's portion (Deuteronomy 32:9, Psalm 16:5). Drink offerings and meat offerings were elements of legitimate Yahweh worship (Leviticus 23:13, Numbers 15:1-10), here grotesquely perverted to honor idols. The final rhetorical question, "Should I receive comfort in these?" reveals divine pathos—God expresses wounded grief over His people's betrayal. The Hebrew niccham means "to be comforted" or "to relent." God asks whether He should simply accept this betrayal and withhold judgment. Reformed theology recognizes both God's immutability and His covenantal grief over sin, distinguishing anthropopathic language from any suggestion of divine changeability.