Zechariah 1:15

15. An inevitable concomitant of Jehovah’s jealousy for Jerusalem is his wrath against the nations that have ill-treated the former.

Very sore displeased A participial construction expressing the idea that the wrath is permanent (compare Zechariah 1:2).

The heathen that are at ease R.V., “the nations.” Their continued peace (Zechariah 1:11) and prosperity have made them self-confident and careless (Isaiah 37:29).

For This introduces the reason for the sore displeasure of Jehovah. Though he commissioned them to execute judgment upon his people, they went beyond their commission in severity and cruelty (compare Isaiah 10:5-7; Isaiah 47:6).

A little When used adverbially this word is generally an adverb of time a little while. The reference is evidently to the seventy years during which the nations were permitted to execute judgment upon Israel (Isaiah 54:8). This time limit the nations did not observe; they fancied that their success was due to their own wisdom and might; therefore they were planning to continue the oppression even after the time of visitation had expired; but Jehovah will not permit it. Even during the period of judgment they were more cruel than was in accord with the will of Jehovah; therefore his wrath is aroused, and their destruction is determined.

They helped forward the affliction Literally, they helped for evil. They carried the affliction beyond the divine purpose, so that evil was the result. “They assisted not only as the instruments of God for the chastisement of Judah, but so that harm arose from it, inasmuch as they tried to destroy Israel altogether.”