chap. i. 1 4).[1] And because His love for Zion is so great, He is jealous on her account, and His anger is stirred to the heat of "fury " against the nations, for the reason already stated in the first vision, namely, because when He was but " a little displeased " and gave over " the dearly beloved of His soul " for a time into the hands of her enemies (Jer. xii. 7), the nations among whom they were scattered " showed them no mercy," but rather " helped forward the affliction."
We have dwelt fully on these solemn and fervent words of Jehovah and their application, not only to the great world-powers of antiquity, but to the nations of Christen dom, in my exposition of the first vision, so we need not tarry on this point here. But I may take the opportunity of again emphasising one fact in connection with the warn ing to the nations contained in these words, and this is the testimony which history supplies, that God's jealous anger and hot displeasure against the nations, because of their oppression and cruelty to Israel, is to be greatly dreaded.
"Where," to repeat a few sentences, " are the great nations of antiquity who have lifted up their hands against the Jewish people? "
And in modern times the ancient word which God spake to Abraham is still verifying itself in the experience of nations as of individuals: " I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse."
And the fervent inalienable love of Jehovah for His people will manifest itself, not only in His wrath and indignation against the nations who have oppressed and persecuted them, but in the full restoration of the longinterrupted communion.
" Thus saith Jehovah,
- ↑ Only n^n? nan, fyemah gedolah, " great heat of anger," or " fury," is here substituted for Vnj jsjs, qetseph gadol (chap. i. 14), there rendered, "very sore displeased" in the English versions, but literally "great anger," though not quite so strong an expression as here.
