So he poured out the heat of his anger and they suffered the fury of war. His anger enveloped them in flames, but they still did not understand— consumed by fire yet they did not take it to heart.
This is what the Lord says about these people: “They come near to me with hollow words and honor me superficially with their lips; all the while their hearts run far away from me! Their worship is nothing more than man-made rules.
For this reason Yahweh’s anger burned against his people, and he struck them down with his holy hand! The mountains trembled, and dead bodies were littered like garbage left in the streets. Even with this, his anger has not turned away and still his hand is heavy upon them!
The godly perish, but no one seems to notice. The faithful ones are taken away, and no one understands. It is because of evil that they are preserved from calamity,
“Why were you so afraid of them that you told lies and did not remember me or even care what I thought? Is it because I have been patient and long silent that you no longer fear me?
The land was scorched because of the anger of the Lord Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies. The people themselves became fuel for the fire, and no one showed compassion toward another.
Yahweh, your eyes search for truth. You struck them down, but they felt no pain. You nearly destroyed them, but they still refused to accept correction. Their stubborn faces hardened like rock; they defiantly refused to repent.
Therefore, listen to the words of the Lord Yahweh: ‘My anger and my wrath will be poured out in this place, on the people and the animals, on the trees and on the crops; my anger will burn as a fire that no one can put out.’
In his burning anger, he shattered all the might of Israel as her enemies approached. He raged among his people like a flaming fire, which consumes everything near it.
He bent his bow like an enemy and clenched his fist like a foe. Like an enemy, he slaughtered all his pride and joy. He poured out his fury like fire on the temple of beloved Jerusalem.
“ ‘You have been scattered into many different nations and lands. But with a strong hand and my mighty power and outpoured wrath, I will bring you back.