For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Edom, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.
Read Chapter 34
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Heaven. Casting down the rebel angels. (St. Jerome)
The resolution to destroy the Idumeans, for their cruelty to the Jews, has been taken long ago. All these expressions allude to the last judgment. (Calmet)
Idumea. Under the name of Idumea or Edom, a people that were enemies of the Jews, are here understood the wicked in general, the enemies of God and his Church. (Challoner)
Assar don fell upon Edom two years after Sennacherib's death. (Calmet)
No strong place like Bosra, shall rescue any from destruction at the last day. (Worthington)
Because God did not spare the sinful angels who lost their heavenly home through their own fault, therefore does he say through Isaiah, “My sword in heaven is satiated.” For every sinner among the people will die by the sword, yet not by a physical sword (there are many and varied ways to die other than by a sword) but by the spiritual sword with which all who fail to do penance must be stricken. - "Commentary on Zechariah 1.5.1–4"
To us this life is a race course: we contend here, we are crowned elsewhere. No one can lay aside fear while serpents and scorpions beset his path. The Lord says, “My sword has drunk its fill in heaven,” and do you expect to find peace on the earth? No, the earth yields only thorns and thistles, and its dust is food for the serpent. “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We are hemmed in by hosts of foes; our enemies are upon every side. The weak flesh will soon be ashes: one against many, it fights against tremendous odds. Not till it has been dissolved, not till the prince of this world has come and found no sin therein, not till then may you safely listen to the prophet’s words: “You shall not be afraid for the terror by night nor the arrow that flies by day; nor for the trouble which haunts you in darkness.” … W...
