Zechariah 1:15

And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

And I am very sore displeased with the heathen - in contrast with "I was but a little displeased" with my people. God's displeasure with His people is temporary, and for their chastening; with the pagan oppressors it is final and fatal (). God's instruments for chastising His people, when He has done with them, He casts into the fire.

That are at ease - carnally secure. A stronger phrase than "all the earth is at rest" (). They are "at ease," but, as I am "sore displeased" with them, their ease is accursed. Judah is in "affliction;" but as I love her, and am jealous for her, she has every reason, notwithstanding her affliction, to be encouraged in prosecuting the temple-work.

And they helped forward the affliction - afflicted my people more than I desired. The pagan sought the utter extinction of Judah, to gratify their own ambition and revenge (; ; ; Obadiah 1:10).