4. The "theft" immediately meant is similar sacrilege to that
complained of in
Ne 13:10;
Mal 3:8.
They robbed God by neglecting to give Him His due in building His
house, while they built their own houses, forswearing their obligations
to Him; therefore, the "houses" they build shall be "consumed" with
God's "curse." Probably literal theft and perjury accompanied their
virtual theft and perjury as to the temple of God
(Mal 3:5).
Stealing and perjury go together; for the covetous and fraudulent
perjure themselves by God's name without scruple (see
Pr 30:9).
enter . . . the house--In vain they guard and shut
themselves up who incur the curse; it will inevitably enter even when
they think themselves most secure.
consume . . . timber . . . stones--not
leaving a vestige of it. So the "stones" and "timber" of the house of a
leper (type of the sinner) were to be utterly removed
(Le 14:15;
compare
1Ki 18:38).
JFB.
Picture Study Bible