Then the Angel, who is Christ Himself, the Saviour of sinners, puts to silence the accuser of His people, declaring: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Israel had long remained in the furnace of affliction. Because of their sins they had been well-nigh consumed in the flame kindled by Satan and his agents for their destruction, but God had now set His hand to bring them forth. In their penitence and humiliation the compassionate Saviour will not leave His people to the cruel power of the heathen. “A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.” {5T 469.1}

Da bringer engelen, som er Kristus selv, synderes Frelser, sit folks anklager til tavshed, idet han siger: »Herren true dig, Satan. Herren true dig, han, som udvalgte Jerusalem. Er denne ikke en brand, som er reddet ud af ilden?« Israel havde længe været i trængselens ildovn. På grund af deres synder var de nær ved at blive fortæret af den flamme, Satan og hans hjælpere havde tændt for at ødelægge dem; men nu havde Gud udstrakt sin hånd for at befri dem. I deres anger og ydmygelse vil den medlidende Frelser ikke overlade sit folk i hedningernes vold. Han »bryder ej knækket rør og slukker ej rygende tande."