Zec 14:13 | KingComments | STEP | In these verses Zechariah once again describes the extermination of the nations that have gone to war against Jerusalem. He has already talked about this in the first verses of this chapter, but here he adds a few more details. The LORD will also send a supernatural plague for the defeat of His enemies and by doing so he will bring down the enemy ( ). In this way He executes a lightning-fast judgment on the military power of the enemies. The citizens of the enemy nations are judged when Christ has established the throne of His glory on earth. Then He will separate the nations into sheep and goats ( ). With the enemies, attention is focused on “their eyes”. Their eyes “will rot in their sockets” because they have only looked at their supposed booty in greed. Also “their tongue” is mentioned. Their tongue “will rot in their mouths” because with it they have blasphemed the LORD. The nations that have gone to war against Jerusalem will partly rot as a result of a plague sent by the LORD ( ). Another part will be killed by the sword of their own army ( ). A last part will be killed by the remnant of Judah who took up arms ( ). In addition to the physical rotting, there will also be a confusion among them, worked out by the LORD, through which each will see his fellow warrior as his enemy (cf. ; ; ). Internal division will also be a means by which the enemy will perish. This takes place before the walls of Jerusalem. A third cause of the downfall of the enemies is the faithfulness of Judah. They will expel the enemy ( ). This will bring them a great booty. Judah will not fight against, but in Jerusalem. There are some who have fled into Judah and are now coming back to liberate Jerusalem. After the battle, the spoil will be divided ( ). Animals in the service of the enemy will also be judged ( ; ; ). All means employed by Satan in his struggle against God and His people will be exterminated.

‏ Zechariah 14:13

The Judgment Described Once More

In these verses Zechariah once again describes the extermination of the nations that have gone to war against Jerusalem. He has already talked about this in the first verses of this chapter, but here he adds a few more details. The LORD will also send a supernatural plague for the defeat of His enemies and by doing so he will bring down the enemy (Zec 14:12). In this way He executes a lightning-fast judgment on the military power of the enemies. The citizens of the enemy nations are judged when Christ has established the throne of His glory on earth. Then He will separate the nations into sheep and goats (Mt 25:31-46).

With the enemies, attention is focused on “their eyes”. Their eyes “will rot in their sockets” because they have only looked at their supposed booty in greed. Also “their tongue” is mentioned. Their tongue “will rot in their mouths” because with it they have blasphemed the LORD.

The nations that have gone to war against Jerusalem will partly rot as a result of a plague sent by the LORD (Zec 14:12). Another part will be killed by the sword of their own army (Zec 14:13). A last part will be killed by the remnant of Judah who took up arms (Zec 14:14).

In addition to the physical rotting, there will also be a confusion among them, worked out by the LORD, through which each will see his fellow warrior as his enemy (cf. Jdg 7:22; 1Sam 14:15-20; 2Chr 20:23). Internal division will also be a means by which the enemy will perish. This takes place before the walls of Jerusalem.

A third cause of the downfall of the enemies is the faithfulness of Judah. They will expel the enemy (Zec 14:14). This will bring them a great booty. Judah will not fight against, but in Jerusalem. There are some who have fled into Judah and are now coming back to liberate Jerusalem. After the battle, the spoil will be divided (2Chr 20:21-25).

Animals in the service of the enemy will also be judged (Zec 14:15; Zec 12:4; 1Sam 15:3). All means employed by Satan in his struggle against God and His people will be exterminated.