Zaccaria 8:12

For the seed [shall be] prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these [things].

Ver. 12. For the seed shall be prosperous] Or, full and perfect, as the Chaldee hath it; it shall be fruitful and yield a plentiful crop, such as shall every way answer the desire of the husbandman. Instead of your recent scarcity (whereof see Aggeo 1:9, with the notes) you shall abound with plenty of all things, feeding of the fat, and drinking of the sweet, and having your heart filled with food and gladness, Atti degli Apostoli 14:17. More particularly:

The vine shall give her fruit] So that ye shall swim in wine.

And the ground shall give her increase] Her full burden of the best; so that your floors shall swell, and your tables sweat with sweetest varieties.

And the heavens shall give their dew] That womb of the morning wherein the fruits are conceived.

And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things] Whereas people are apt to attribute too much to means and second causes of plenty and prosperity, God assumes the honour of all to himself. Rain and fruitful seasons are his gift, Atti degli Apostoli 14:17. And, Osea 2:22, he resolveth the genealogy of grain and wine into himself: I will hear the heaven, and the heaven shall hear the earth, &c.

E, sia qui che altrove, ci fa sapere che la ricompensa della religione è l'abbondanza di benedizioni esteriori; che tuttavia non sempre sono legate alla pietà (qualunque cosa ci dicano i gesuiti della prosperità e dell'abbondanza della Chiesa, andando a prendere il suo marchio dal mercato), affinché essa ammiri per se stessa, e non per questi ornamenti transitori.