For the answer we must return to the ancient vow spoken after the attack on the land, Israel’s first massive warning of coming judgment. Here now is the context of that vow: The LORD sent a word against Jacob, and it has fallen on Israel. All the people will know—Ephraim and the inhabitant of Sam...
She was quiet as well, thinking it right to give him a chance to rest from speaking but, at the same time, concerned that if she waited too long, he might not continue. Finally she broke the silence. “You are planning to tell me the second part of the mystery,” she asked. ...