ZECHARIAH CHAPTER 2 The vision of an angel sent to measure Jerusalem, and its flourishing state under God's protection foretold, MALACHI 2:1. The people warned to quit Babylon before its fall, MALACHI 2:6. The promise of God's presence, MALACHI 2:10. I, Zechariah, LIFTED UP MINE EYES AGAIN: this is... [ Continue Reading ]
WHITHER GOEST THOU? it is evident the prophet did not in so bold a manner inquire before, which may possibly be for that he apprehended this man to be one lesser than an angel; nor doth he ask the meaning of this hieroglyphic, but, understanding what it meant, the prophet inquires only where the pla... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ANGEL THAT TALKED; the great and glorious Angel, i.e. Christ Jesus himself, which had so long talked with Zechariah. WENT FORTH, from the midst of the myrtle trees, where he was first seen: whither he is going is not said; perhaps to standby, direct, and encourage the person that was going to me... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAID UNTO HIM; or, AND HE SAID; or, as the French, _Lequel lui dit, Which said unto him_: so it is plain that the Angel which now was going forth spake to that angel which came to meet him, or gave him orders what to do. RUN; since you came so seasonably, hasten with all diligence, and from me t... [ Continue Reading ]
What was promised or foretold in the former verse is ratified in this by an account how it should be performed. FOR I, SAITH THE LORD; that a thing so much above the hope of a present dejected people, so much too great for so weak and so few a people, might be believed and expected, God engageth he... [ Continue Reading ]
HO, HO: since Jerusalem shall be safe, rich, and glorious by the presence and blessings of her God, the prophet calls to the sleepy Jews, as men that need be awakened. COME FORTH; set upon your journey for your own country and city, come out from your captive prisons. AND FLEE; make all the haste yo... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER THYSELF: the proclamation for free return is published; up, then, and be gone. O ZION; O ye people who should dwell in Zion, ye daughters of Zion. DWELLEST; keepest in Babylon when thou mightest go to Jerusalem. WITH THE DAUGHTER OF BABYLON: perhaps this intimates that which kept many Jews i... [ Continue Reading ]
Some refer this to what went before, as a reason why the Jews should return, for God hath commanded it. I think it is an encouragement to the Jews to return, because God had promised to make them a glory, and now assures them that he will take a very particular care of them, therefore sends his Son,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SHAKE, or lift up, mine hand, my power and strength, upon them; against the nation and kingdom that doth violence to the people who are my glory, and I am theirs, saith the Lord. THEY, those people who comply not with him whom God sendeth, SHALL BE A SPOIL, shall be overthrown and spoiled, an... [ Continue Reading ]
SING AND REJOICE: now Christ calls them to rejoice in the goodness showed to them, and to sing forth the praises of him who showed it. O DAUGHTER OF ZION; the whole nation of the Jews, the peculiar, redeemed, and restored people of God; they that had been in great and long captivity. I COME, to exec... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY NATIONS, and _great_, Heb; it implieth both multitudes and greatness of nations; or, heathen and Gentiles, as the word beareth. SHALL BE JOINED TO THE LORD; become proselytes, inquire for, adhere to, and worship the God of Israel. IN THAT DAY; when God shall lift up his hand for his people agai... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD; Jehovah, the God of Abraham and of his seed, who had cast off Judah, and seemed to quit his claim in his ancient inheritance, by a disseisin of seventy years. SHALL INHERIT; claim, recover, possess, and delight in, as a man doth in his paternal inheritance. JUDAH; all his Israel; this trib... [ Continue Reading ]
BE SILENT; murmur not, you that love not Zion; dispute not, you that, think these promises are too good, too great; but, in silence, reverence and adore God in all his excellences and ways; wait, and expect the accomplishment of all by him who never utters more than he can and will do for his people... [ Continue Reading ]