我們來繼續看神向邪惡的迦勒底人宣告的五個禍。昨天我們看過第一和第二個禍，今天我們接著看第三個禍。迦勒底人透過謀殺和掠奪其他國家而取得繁榮，而第三個禍（12-14節）指出神對他們的惡行所作出的裁決。

我們在閱讀這些禍患的時候沒法不再次想到：為甚麼神容許這事情發生？為甚麼祂容許列國興起，向別人施行如此殘暴和可怕的行動呢？事實上神是為了明智和特定的目的而容許這些事情發生，雖然那是一個很多人都覺得難以理解的目的。是甚麼目的呢？那就是：神容許邪惡的民族興起來，讓世界其他國家從它們那兒看到，當人企圖以自己的力量對抗神和祂的道德法則時，就會遇到傾覆、粉碎的事情。

這不是歷史上的實際情況嗎？就像埃及、巴比倫、希臘和羅馬這些強大的帝國，它們遇到甚麼了？它們在大榮耀中興起，但最後都傾覆了。列國一個接一個興起，最後全都倒下。最終，神所宣告的禍患出現了。要記得這樣的原則今天仍然適用於我們這個時代；所有偏行己路、而不遵行神的道路的國家，神的災禍仍然會臨到它們當中。它們也許擁有短暫的成功──我們必須有這樣的心理準備──但就好像白天之後便是黑夜來臨的事實般確定，它們最後一定會傾覆。正如善最終必定要戰勝惡，所以不要有任何疑惑，因為「認識耶和華榮耀的知識要充滿遍地，好像水充滿洋海一般。」

We continue looking at the five woes which God pronounces on the evil Chaldeans. The third woe (vv.12-14) pronounces God's verdict on them for the prosperity they have gained through murdering and plundering other nations.

We cannot read these woes without once again thinking: Why does God allow it? Why does He permit nations to rise up and inflict such cruelty and horror on others? He allows it for a wise and particular purpose - a purpose that many find difficult to comprehend. What is that purpose? This: He allows evil nations to arise so that the rest of the world might see in them a visual aid of what happens when people attempt to pit their strength against God and His moral laws. And what does happen? They are brought down and smashed into the ground.

Isn't this the reality of history? Think of great and powerful empires such as Egypt, Babylon, Greece and Rome. What happened to them? They rose in great glory but eventually they fell. Nation after nation has risen, only to fall. The time came when God's woe was pronounced against them and put into effect. And remember this: that principle is still in effect today God's woe is still being pronounced on all those nations who have chosen their own way instead of God's. They may have temporary success - we must be prepared for that - but as surely as night follows day, they will fall. The ultimate triumph of good over evil is certain. Let there be no doubt about it: "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."