God had as yet given no fiat for the destruction of Israel. On the contrary, He designed the temporary prosperity to be a strong inducement to Israel to return to Him. The restored boundaries were to be a foretaste of future blessings on condition of obedience. The writer seems to have had in mind Deut. 32:36-43. The time had not yet come for the Lord to blot out their “name from under heaven” (Deut. 29:20).

 This prosperity came despite Jeroboam’s wickedness (see v. 24 ). The wicked never know to what extent they owe their blessings to the prospering hand of God. The victories were no indication that God approved of the course of either king or people. Instead, these victories were God’s renewed invitation to His people to return to the original purpose of their calling.