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"I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease"

Text: Zechariah 1:15

THE SECOND PART OF THE MESSAGE OF ZECHARIAH

The message that Zechariah was instructed to proclaim had two parts. The first part revealed God’s plan for Zion. He would be zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. The second part had to do with the nations that had destroyed Judah.

” I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease;
For I was a little angry,
And they helped—but with evil intent.”
Zechariah 1:15

1. “I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease”

a) God was no longer angry with Judah.

b) He expressed that he was very angry at the nations at ease.

2. “The nations at ease”

a) This was a reference to the Babylonian empire.

i) Though Babylon was the main leader.

ii) There were other nations who were allied to Babylon.

b) This was also a reference to the Medo-Persian empire.

i) They had conquered the Babylonians.

ii) But they were as cruel initially towards those who were conquered.

c) The Medo-Persians were now at ease.

i) But the cruelty of the past could not be excused.

ii) The wickedness of the conquerors caused God to be exceedingly angry.

3. “For I was a little angry”

a) This is a reference to God’s anger toward Judah for its idolatry.

b) God’s anger was righteous and it was controlled.

4. “And they helped”

a) God had allowed “the nations” to conquer Israel and Judah.

b) They did help to fulfil God’s plan of chastening His people.

5. “But with evil intent”

a) The nations were held responsible for their evil intent.

b) They had no right nor excuse to be very cruel to those they had conquered.

c) The Lord was exceedingly angry with them for this reason.