Since You Know the Wrath of God ....

The Destiny of Those Who Reject God

These are not easy verses to read.   They are found in Zechariah 14:12–15 (NIV),

¹² This is the plague with which the Lord will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. ¹³ On that day people will be stricken by the Lord with great panic. They will seize each other by the hand and attack one another. ¹⁴ Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected—great quantities of gold and silver and clothing. ¹⁵ A similar plague will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.

"The prophet next revealed how God will deal with the antikingdom forces of vv.1-3: First, he will strike them with a "plague" (v.12), just as he did the Assyrian army of King Sennacherib in 701 B.C. (Isa 37:36). Second, the Lord will strike the enemies of himself and his people with "great panic" (v.13), causing them to "attack each other" (cf. Judg 7:22; 1 Sam 14:15-20; 2 Chronicles 20:23). Third, the rest of the people of Judah will rally to defend the capital (v.14; cf. 12:2)." [1]

"Zechariah is emphasizing that the destruction of God’s enemies will be final and complete. Even now Christians enjoy victory in faith (1 John 5:4) and await the final subjugation of God’s enemies by Christ (1 Cor. 15:24–28)." [2]  Keil and Deit agree.  They write, "To express the idea of their utter destruction all the different kinds of plagues and strokes by which nations can be destroyed are grouped together." [3]

Again we insist as do McComiskey and Keil & Delitzsch that the author is rhetorically describing the awfulness of the end of those who are hostile to God not necessarily should be read literalistically. This is no way minimizes the terror and the horror.  In fact it enables the read to have increased awareness and fear.  Even as John described as he was given access to see the end: “From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.” (Revelation 16:21, NIV).

Father how does one pray having read the import of these words.  Is this not given to Your Church, “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others . . ..” (2 Corinthians 5:11, NIV). “Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.” (Psalm 76:10, NIV).  Your holiness demands justice; and Your holiness demands due penalty.  In this passage we are again given insight into the consequence of sin and rebellion.  O that men would  “. . . thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” (Psalm 107:31, NIV).  Father, allow the weight and the terror of these words to drive us to Gospel-centered living; Gospel-centered evangelism; and a holy fear of You.  For Your glory and Your praise. 

 

 

 

 

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1.  Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Zechariah/Exposition of Zechariah/V. Two Prophetic Oracles: The Great Messianic Future and the Full Realization of the Theocracy (9:1-14:21)/B. The Second Oracle: The Advent and Reception of the Messiah (12:1-14:21)/2. The Messiah's return and his kingdom (14:1-21)/d. The punishment of Israel's enemies (14:12-15), Book Version: 4.0.2

2. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Zec 14:15). Nashville: T. Nelson.

3. Biblical commentary on the Old Testament, by C.F. Keil and F. Delitzsch. Trans. from the German by James Martin [et al.].Published 1878 by T. & T. Clark in Edinburgh ., Page 410