ZECHARIAH CHAPTER 11 The destruction of Jerusalem, MALACHI 11:1. Under the type of Zechariah is showed Christ's care for the flock, the Jews; and their rejection for ingratitude and light estimation of him, MALACHI 11:4. The type and curse of a foolish shepherd, MALACHI 11:15. This chapter is minato... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWL, FIR TREE; either mean men, or houses and towns built with firs. FOR THE CEDAR IS FALLEN; the greater and better escape not, much less shall the meaner and worse. BECAUSE THE MIGHTY IS SPOILED; howl because the mighty men, cities, fortresses, and munitions are taken, sacked, and ruined; or else... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS; it is as certain as if present, as sure all these shall howl, as if the things for which they do howl were already acted. A VOICE OF THE HOWLING, a most bitter, loud, passionate, and dismal howling, of the shepherds: literally thus; The enemy having broken in hath driven away or eaten up t... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD MY GOD; God the Father. FEED; O Zechariah, feed, comfort, rule: but rather the Father speaks to Christ the Son, and appoints him who is the eternal Shepherd to feed his sheep. THE FLOCK OF THE SLAUGHTER; appointed to the slaughter by different hands, and for different causes. It... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSE POSSESSORS SLAY THEM; either their own governors, or the Romans who in right of conquerors are their possessors; which way soever they got them into their hands, they ruined them, destroyed them both in body and estate. AND HOLD THEMSELVES NOT GUILTY; think they do not sin in doing this; so lo... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I WILL NO MORE PITY: their great sins have turned away God's compassions from them, and men show no mercy where God withdraws his. THE INHABITANTS; the generality of the nation, the body of this sinful people. I WILL DELIVER THE MEN EVERY ONE INTO HIS NEIGHBOUR'S HAND; leave to a turbulent, crue... [ Continue Reading ]
AND, or _But_, as the Hebrew particle is sometimes read: As for the greatest part, they are so corrupt and obstinately disobedient, I will cast them off; BUT I WILL FEED, & c. O therefore, so then, because it is the will of God that the flock of slaughter should. be fed, I will feed, &c.: the French... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE, put for many, a definite for an indefinite number. SHEPHERDS, negligent or greatly faulty. I CUT OFF; put out of office, or, by discovering their faults, made them lie hid and conceal themselves. In one month; in a little time. MY SOUL LOATHED THEM; hated their treachery and idleness. THEIR S... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN; after that time of his patient and vigilant feeding the flock, and after his cutting off the three unfaithful shepherds, and after the ill resentment he met with for it; when he deserved love and thanks for it, he is repaid with disdain and hatred by the people, as well as by the shepherds; wh... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I TOOK MY STAFF, EVEN BEAUTY; which I gave that name to, which was the beauty and glory of them, the covenant of God with all the blessings of it, his presence with them, his love to them, and his protection of them, and his blessing on them. THAT I MIGHT BREAK MY COVENANT; signify and declare t... [ Continue Reading ]
IT WAS BROKEN; the covenant was abrogated by the Jews obstinate refusal of it, and the Mediator of it. IN THAT DAY: it is not to be wondered it was done in one day at last, for the unthankful, unbelieving Jew had been through many generations breaking it: now a day doth it, when it came to that, NOT... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAID UNTO THEM; upon parting, Christ seems after the manner of men to mind them of his pains and care for them, and would have them reckon with him. IF YE THINK GOOD: he puts it to them whether they thought he deserved aught at their hands, and what it was. GIVE ME MY PRICE; though I need not... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD, God the Father, with detestation of so vile an affront and undervalue of his Son, said unto me; to Zechariah, in this theatre personating Christ sometimes. CAST IT UNTO THE POTTER; as being so little it would hardly purchase any thing but what was cheapest among them, a little earthenware.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN; so soon as I saw what value they put upon me, or presently after the casting them off from the covenant, and unchurching them. I; Christ did it really, the prophet did it in the type. CUT ASUNDER MINE OTHER STAFF, EVEN BANDS; took no further care to keep them in civil peace among themselves, b... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE UNTO THEE, O Zechariah. THE INSTRUMENTS; put on the garb and personate once more a shepherd, quite different from him thou hast represented. OF A FOOLISH SHEPHERD: this foolish people have rejected the wisest and best shepherd; let them see what one they will choose, in seeing what part thou no... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL RAISE UP A SHEPHERD; as a just punishment of their sin in refusing Christ, the wise and good Shepherd; his government they would not accept to their salvation, that they choose shall be to their ruin. WHICH SHALL NOT VISIT THOSE THAT BE CUT OFF, or, that are hidden; it is a foolish shepherd w... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE TO THE IDOL SHEPHERD! to every one of them that are but the images of shepherds, worthless and useless. THAT LEAVETH, casts off the care of, THE FLOCK, JEREMIAH 23:1 EZEKIEL 34:2. THE SWORD, of the enemy, shall be upon his arm, to break his strength, and upon his right eye; blind and befool his... [ Continue Reading ]