The language of our text is parabolic rather than historic. It presents us with a picture of a city under siege and the deliverance it enjoyed and the treatment of the one who was the means of deliverance. It is but the repeating of a sadly familiar story in a different format. It is a setting forth of the oft repeated turn of events experienced by the people of God throughout the ages and their sinful despisings of the mercy of God they have so often enjoyed. I believe that it is especially applicable to Ulster at this present time. If truth were told, we can see our sinful disregard of God's past mercies and our folly in embracing the lies and deceits of our archenemies illustrated for us here. May the Lord help us to turn from them by heeding the words of this text.