But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants
the prophets
That is, the predictions which he ordered his prophets to declare in his name, that their fathers should die by the sword, or famine, or pestilence, or be carried captive, which he purposed in himself, and threatened them with: did they not take hold of your fathers?
overtake them, seize upon them, and have their accomplishment in them? not one thing has failed, or come short of being fulfilled, of all that was determined, or said should be done: and they returned and said;
that is, as many of them as perished not, but were carried captive; at least many of them, who either were thoroughly converted, and turned from their evil, or however in appearance: and who were obliged to own, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our
ways, and according to our doing, so hath he dealt with us:
as he purposed, so he performed, and that with great justice and equity, being what their evil ways and doings righteously deserved; see ( Isaiah 14:24 ) .