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 (Jeremiah 30:11). 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" (Zechariah 1:11). 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 (Isaiah 47:6; Ezekiel 25:3; Ezekiel 25:6; Obadiah 1:10-17).