33See, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will lop off the boughs with great power. The lofty trees will be felled, the tall ones will be brought low.
As you read this chapter you could come away thinking the LORD had something against forests and trees. He talks about chopping them all down, destroying the crops and creating devastation among the vegetation. But as you slow down and read a little more slowly, you will see that he is using these vegetations as pictures of the various peoples to whom he speaks. The devastation is coming on the people. They have rebelled and judgment is coming on them. If you miss this connection, you miss the point of the whole passage. The judgments are not against the trees and forest, but against the people. Often misunderstandings of Scripture happen when we read too fast and don’t bother using our imagination when we listen. We miss subtle cues that tip us off to the meaning intended. We might read this passage and say that the LORD is anti-environment. What a mistake that would be. He made this garden in which we live. He made it good, so why would he destroy it. He will bring judgment on the people. So slow down and make sure you are really listening to the text.
The Arnold Journey 