The conditional lament 'O that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea' imagines the alternative history where Israel's obedience would have prevented exile. The images of flowing rivers and rolling waves suggest abundance and irresistible power flowing from faithfulness. This verse articulates the cost of disobedience while holding open the possibility of return to blessing. The conditional structure allows for restoration if Israel now attends to the word.

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