CHAPTER III _While the Jews were rebuilding their temple, their adversaries_ _endeavoured to stop the work_, Ezra 5:3, c. _This vision is therefore calculated to give them the strongest_ _encouragement that God, after plucking them as brands out of_ _the fire (or captivity of Babylon,) would no... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 3:2. Is _NOT THIS A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE?_] The Jews were _nearly destroyed_ because of their sins; a remnant of them is yet left, and God is determined to preserve them. He has had mercy upon them, and forgiven them their sins. Wouldst thou have them destroyed? It is God t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 3:3. _JOSHUA WAS CLOTHED WITH FILTHY GARMENTS_] The Jewish people were in a most forlorn, destitute, and to all human appearance despicable, condition; and besides all, they were sinful, and the priesthood defiled by idolatry; and nothing but the mercy of God could save them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 3:4. _TAKE AWAY THE FILTHY GARMENTS_] The Jews wore _sackcloth_ in times of public calamity; probably the _filthy garments_ refer to this. Let their clothing be changed. I have turned again their captivity; I will fully restore them, and blot out all their iniquities.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 3:5. _A FAIR MITRE UPON HIS HEAD_] To signify that he had renewed to him the office of the _high priesthood_, which had been defiled and profaned before. The _mitre_ was the _bonnet_ which the high priest put on his head when he entered into the sanctuary, Exodus 28:4, c. _CLOTHED H... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 3:7. _IF THOU WILT WALK IN MY WAYS_] If ye, Israelites, priests and people, now restored to your own land, will walk in my ways, c., ye shall be a part of my family and have _places_-mansions-in eternal glory, with all them that are sanctified.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 3:8. _O JOSHUA - THOU, AND THY FELLOWS_] Thy _countrymen_, who have now returned from your captivity, in a very _wonderful_ manner. אנשי מופת _anshey mopheth, figurative men_, men whose office and ministration _prefigured_ the Lord Jesus Christ; and therefore it is immediately added... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 3:9. _FOR BEHOLD THE STONE THAT I HAVE LAID_] Alluding no doubt to the _foundation stone_ of the temple: but this represented _Christ Jesus_: "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a STONE, a tried stone, a precious CORNER STONE, a SURE FOUNDATION," Isaiah 28:16. This means Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 3:10. _SHALL YE CALL EVERY MAN HIS NEIGHBOUR_] See on Isaiah 36:16. Every one shall be inviting and encouraging another to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; and thus taste and see that God is good. See on Isaiah 2:2. And there shall be the utmost liberty to preach, believe on, and pr... [ Continue Reading ]