Looking a few verses back, we find the following verse and explanation: [7] And I will feed the flock of slaughter for this, O ye poor of the flock. And I took unto me two rods, one I called Beauty, and the other I called a Cord, and I fed the flock.
(NOTE) [7] Two rods: Or shepherd’s staves, meaning the different ways of God’s dealing with his people; the one, by sweet means, called the rod of Beauty: the other, by bands and punishments, called the Cord. And where both these rods are made of no use or effect by the obstinacy of sinners, the rods are broken, and such sinners are given up to a reprobate sense, as the Jews were.
drbo.org/chapter/43011.htm
Douay-Rheims uses “beauty” instead of “favor” as the name, but the meaning appears to be the same. Carrot and stick - first they ignored the carrot, so it was broken, then they ignored the stick, so it was broken, and bad stuff happened.
