The ancient rabbis certainly did, and they poured those feelings, along with their hopes and fears, into their interpretations of scripture. to one such interpretation found in Midrash Tehillim – specifically, a fascinating take on Psalm 118.
The Midrash paints a picture of a future where "all the nations surround me," meaning Israel. It's a vision of a world where the Gentile nations will ultimately bring about a great ingathering, an ascent to Jerusalem. But here's the kicker: Israel is afraid of them. It’s a tense, paradoxical situation.
But God reassures them, "Do not fear, you worm Jacob" (Isaiah 41:14). It’s a seemingly strange, even unflattering, comparison. Why a worm? Perhaps to emphasize Israel's vulnerability, but also their resilience. Even a worm can survive immense pressure.
The Midrash continues, elaborating on the Gentiles' actions: they're destined to capture the tribe of Judah, imprison them, and even propose a sort of internal power shift: "Let our brethren come and rule over us, and let not our enemies rule over us" (Zechariah 12:2-3). This sounds almost… conciliatory? But don't be fooled. The underlying tension is palpable.
Then, in a dramatic turn, the Lord intervenes. Miracles happen, and the enemies fall. "On that day, I will make the leaders of Judah like a fiery furnace among wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves; they will consume all the surrounding peoples right and left, while Jerusalem itself remains intact in its place" (Zechariah 12:6). It's a powerful image of divine protection and righteous power.
The Midrash then makes a striking comparison: "And they are like bees." Bees? This might seem out of place, but the analogy is rich. Just as bees bring honey to their owner, so too will the Lord gather all the nations of the world and bring them up to Jerusalem, as it is said, "Behold, the day is coming for the Lord" (Zechariah 14:1).
But, the Midrash quickly clarifies, don't think this gathering is permanent or peaceful for the nations. "They will be crushed like fiery thorns" (Zechariah 12:6). Ouch.
The text then shifts to a parable of a king and thieves. The king, of course, represents God, and the thieves are the Gentile nations. The "underground hiding place" is the city of Jerusalem. "I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem" (Zechariah 14:2), God says. "The city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half the city exiled" (Zechariah 14:2). It’s a bleak, violent vision.
But the Lord doesn't abandon His people. "Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations" (Zechariah 14:3). Divine intervention is the ultimate weapon. And the Lord sends a plague, "This will be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the nations" (Zechariah 14:12).
The Midrash circles back to the bee analogy, reinforcing the idea of God as a mighty warrior: "For I will be with you like a mighty warrior" (Jeremiah 20:11). The passage concludes with a somber reflection from Lamentations (1:14), "You have pushed me violently to fall in my days of calamity, but the Lord..." It is an unfinished sentence, leaving us to fill in the blank with hope and faith.
So, what do we take away from this whirlwind of imagery, prophecy, and parable? It's a complex and sometimes unsettling vision of the future, one filled with both fear and hope, destruction and redemption. It speaks to the enduring human struggle for safety and security in a world that often feels hostile. But ultimately, it's a testament to the unwavering belief in divine protection, even in the darkest of times. The God of Israel, as the Midrash implies, is always watching, always ready to intervene, and always fighting for His people. It's a powerful message, one that resonates even today.