1:1 See Introduction: Title; Author and Date. 1:2–9 This is a courtroom scene in which the Lord is the plaintiff and the nation of Israel is the defendant. Instead of responding to God’s ultimate care and provision for them, these people have failed to give Him the loving obedience that is His due. 1:2 heavens … earth. God intended Israel to be a channel of blessing to the nations (19:24, 25; 42:6; Gen. 12:2, 3), but instead He must call the nations to look on Israel’s shame. children. The physical