Some think that at the beginning of this chapter the people are reproved for their unfaithfulness, because they conducted themselves towards God in a way they ought not to have done, as they had violated that sacred marriage which God had been pleased to contract with them; for it is a common mode o... [ Continue Reading ]
He then says, that _the word of Jehovah came to him_; (78) we hence learn, that this was a distinct prophecy. He adds, _I have been zealous for Sion _(for as we have said, the letter ל, _lamed_, is to be thus taken) _with great zeal _(79) This was indeed an incredible change, for God had for a time... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet now more clearly explains what he intended; but it was necessary to preserve this order — that enemies were to be by force ejected from their possession, and the Church delivered, before God could dwell in the midst of it; for how could God have proved that Jerusalem was under his guardi... [ Continue Reading ]
He confirms what we have already stated, that the Jews would be safe under the hand and protection of God, as he would dwell among them. The cause of a safe and quiet state he made to be the presence of God. For when we have peace with the whole world, we may yet disturb one another, except the God... [ Continue Reading ]
He repeats and confirms the same thing by another representation — that boys and girls would play in the streets and on the public roads, which could not be during the troublous time of war; for when arms clatter, the sound of trumpets is heard, and assaults of enemies are dreaded, every one keeps h... [ Continue Reading ]
He sharply reproves here the lack of faith in the people; for as men are wont to measure whatever is promised by their own understanding, the door of entrance for these prophecies was nearly closed up when they saw that the fury of their enemies could by no means be pacified. They had indeed tried i... [ Continue Reading ]
He pursues the same subject, and introduces a preface, very necessary in so confused a state of things; for it was very difficult to raise up desponding minds and to inspire them with confidence, when pressed down with fear and trembling. This is the reason why Zechariah repeats so often, that he de... [ Continue Reading ]
He then adds, _I will restore them, and they shall dwell, he says, in the midst of Jerusalem_. He again confirms what I have already stated, — that their return would not be in vain, though many said, that the Jews had done foolishly in having returned so quickly into their own country; and they con... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet having taught us that God was reconciled to his people, does now seasonably exhort the Jews to prepare themselves for work and strenuously to exert themselves in erecting the temple, and also in building the city: for as we have stated, many were then become slothful, as they thought tha... [ Continue Reading ]
It follows, _For before these days there was no hire for man, and no hire for beast, no peace to passengers, because I had sent forth all men, each one against his friend_. The Prophet mentions here, as I have already said, evidences of God’s curse, by which the Jews might have learnt that he was di... [ Continue Reading ]
He afterwards adds, _But now, not according to former days, shall I be to the remnant of this people, saith Jehovah of hosts_. Zechariah now reminds them that things had changed for the better, as it was evident that God was propitious to them. And if the cause of this change be asked, the answer is... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Zechariah promises the continuance of God’s favor, which the Jews had now begun to taste. God then had in part openly showed that he was a Father to the Jews, by dealing liberally with them: but in order more fully to strengthen them in their perseverance, Zechariah says that this favor would b... [ Continue Reading ]
He goes on with the same subject, and in this verse he states two contrary things, in order to render more clear what he teaches here — that while God was angry the earth was barren, and all things went on unhappily with the Jews; but that when God had begun to be reconciled, the earth had as it wer... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet confirms the truth in the preceding verse, when he said that there would be a wholly different lot to the Jews, as they would in every way be blessed. He shows the cause of the change; for God would begin to favor them, who had been before displeased with them. We indeed know that the Ho... [ Continue Reading ]
Now at the end of the verse the Prophet reminds us of the application of his doctrine, even to encourage the Jews, that they might go on with alacrity in the work of building the temple. But we have said that we ought to be armed with God’s promises, so that we may with courageous hearts follow wher... [ Continue Reading ]
Zechariah exhorts them here to true repentance, by showing that more things were to be hoped for than what they saw with their eyes; and at the same time he shows that it was not enough for them assiduously to build the city and the temple; but he requires other things, even that they should observe... [ Continue Reading ]
He afterwards adds, _And think not evil every one against his friend_. Here the Prophet not only condemns open wrongs, but also the hidden purposes of evil. We hence learn, that the law was not only given to restrain men as it were by a bridle, and that it not only contains a rule of life as to outw... [ Continue Reading ]
He confirms the same truth, that such would be the restoration of the Church that all the memory of their sorrows would be obliterated. We have already said, that some fasts were observed by the Jews after the destruction of their city. Before two only were mentioned, but now the Prophet names four.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet here extends his discourse still farther; for he promises not only the complete restoration of his chosen people, but also the propagation of the Church; for God, he says, will gather a Church for himself from many and remote nations, and unite many nations in one body. And this ought to... [ Continue Reading ]
It follows, _Come shall the inhabitants of one to one_, that is, the inhabitants of one city to another; _saying, going let us go_, _etc_. He means by these words, that there will be a mutual consent among all nations, so that they will stimulate one another, and thus unite together their exertions.... [ Continue Reading ]
But we must enquire also why he says, that the nations would come to seek God at _Jerusalem_, and there to call on him. The Jews foolishly imagine that God cannot be otherwise worshipped than by offering sacrifices still in the temple. But the Prophet had something very different in view, that the l... [ Continue Reading ]
He pursues the same subject in this verse; for as he had before said, that the nations would willingly come to worship God, and that each would encourage his brother to undertake this pious and holy expedition, so he now adds, that ten men would lay hold on the border of a Jew’s garment: _Ten men sh... [ Continue Reading ]