A dramatic legal proceeding unfolds as a profound warning is issued to a divided nation. The prophet summons the entire population and their surroundings to stand at attention, calling upon God Himself to serve as the ultimate witness to the events about to occur.
The prophet begins by calling out to all the peoples. The primary approach among commentators is that this does not refer to the various nations of the world, but rather to the individual tribes of Israel and Judah. Each distinct tribe is considered a people in its own right [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. Interestingly, an identical call was once made by an earlier prophet, Micaiah son of Imlah, though they were two distinct figures living in entirely different generations [אבן עזרא, אברבנאל].
The summons then extends to the earth and everything that fills it. This is specifically directed at the Land of Israel, with its fullness referring to the people and creatures living upon it. Addressing the land itself is a metaphor meant for its inhabitants [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. There is a subtle shift in the way the prophet calls out. He demands direct hearing from the tribes, who are his primary audience, while asking the land to listen from afar. The entire land is included in this dire warning because the impending disaster is destined to spread across all its borders [מלבי״ם].
At the heart of this declaration is the presence of God as a witness. Most commentators agree that God serves as a living testimony that the prophet faithfully completed his mission, spoke in His name, and gave the people fair warning [רש״י, רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, חומת אנך]. Another layer of meaning suggests that God is not merely a passive observer in this trial. Instead, He is actively warning and rebuking the nation Himself [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
A discussion arises regarding where God is stationed as He bears witness. The widespread view is that He looks down from heaven to observe and testify [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. Expanding on this, some explain that God issues His warning from His heavenly sanctuary just moments before stepping out of His place to judge the earth [מלבי״ם]. In contrast to the heavenly perspective, another approach suggests that the location is the physical Temple in Jerusalem. Because the prophecy concerns the future destruction of both the northern and southern kingdoms, God bears witness against them from their shared earthly center of holiness [אברבנאל].