Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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It can be debated as to who is "at ease in Zion" and who is not---debated until God speaks and gives us some understanding. In the book of Job, God reveals the attitude of one who is "at ease" in spirit. Through his great distress, Job came to understand that those who are "at ease" in spirit feel superior to those whom they believe have erred. Poor Job was suffering much abuse at the hands of three theologians, who were not hurting as Job was hurting, and, therefore, they considered Job to be their moral inferior.
Job lamented (12:4-5), "I am as one mocked of his neighbor . . . the just upright man is laughed to scorn. He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease."
It is not our attitude toward those whom we consider to be upright that demonstrates our love of God. Anyone can love those who live as he thinks they should. Jesus said that even the wicked love those who are like them (Mt. 5:46-47). "The love of God", my father taught us, "is shown in our differences." It is our feeling toward those children of God who are weak and in trouble that shows whether or not we truly love God.
Those who are "at ease in Zion" are those children of God who despise other children of God whom they believe have gone the wrong way. Paul warned the saints not to be so foolish as to think God feels that way. "Brethren," he said, "If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1).
The very reason that God selects men to minister to men is because the men He chooses know what it feels like to be sinful and in need of mercy. God chooses frail men to anoint to be His servants for the household of faith because He knows that they will understand others' need for prayers on their behalf. Men who themselves have been rescued will deal with weak and backslidden children of God more humbly than angels are capable of doing. None of God's heavenly beings understand what it means to be humiliated by sin and in need of forgiveness. They would not know how to offer from the heart sacrifices of intercession to God for His wayward children.
God's children who love God's children cannot be "at ease" when their brothers and sisters are being led astray; they do not look upon them with disdain; they are grieved for the affliction of those who have wandered from the right path. Their hearts are like God's heart, who is never at ease when the safety and well-being of His family is concerned.