Zacarias 8:3-8

DISCOURSE: 1249
THE RESTORATION OF THE JEWS

Zacarias 8:3. Thus saith the Lord: I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem, shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts: There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of Hosts. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

THE restoration of the Jews from their present dispersion forms a very principal subject of all the prophetic writings; and one cannot but be amazed that it should occupy so small a share of attention amongst the ministers of religion, as scarcely to be noticed by them. Indeed those who do notice the passages relating to that event, pervert them for the most part, by applying them to the Church of Christ, and giving them an interpretation which they were never designed to bear. From whatever cause this proceeds, it tends exceedingly to keep out of view the mercy of God towards his once-favoured people, and to foster in our bosoms an indifference to their welfare. But let us indulge a more benevolent disposition towards them, and contemplate with pleasure,

I. Their interest in this prophecy—

In its primary sense, it was applicable to the Jews of that day—
[They were at present but a small “remnant,” and under circumstances that were very discouraging. They had long been afflicted, both by God and man. Previous to their captivity, the judgments of God had been so heavily inflicted on them, that scarcely an old man was to be found among them; and nothing but want and misery was to be seen in the streets [Note: ver. 10.]: but now peace and plenty should be restored to them [Note: ver. 11, 12.]. In a moral view, also, there should be a great and general improvement, insomuch that their city, which had been the seat of the most abominable idolatries, should be called “A city of truth;” and the mountain where their temple was rebuilding, “The holy mountain.”]

But it had respect to the Jewish nation in days that are yet future—
[Of this there is abundant evidence: for Judah alone returned from captivity; whereas the chapter before us speaks of “Israel and Judah.” Moreover, the Jews after their return never displayed any great piety; whereas they were, in this prophecy, designated as a holy people. They were also to “be a blessing among the heathen, as before they had been a curse [Note: ver. 13.].” But never, at any period, were they so execrated amongst the heathen, as since their dispersion by the Romans: nor, with the exception of the Saviour and his Apostles, have they ever been such a blessing to the world, as they will be at a future period, when they shall rise up as missionaries in all the countries where they have been scattered, and be the means of converting the whole Gentile world to the faith of Christ [Note: Miquéias 5:7.]. Nor can the concluding part of this chapter be referred to any events that have hitherto taken place in the world. The time is yet to come, when “many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem;” and when “ten men out of all languages of the nations shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you [Note: ver. 20–23.].”

What then are the things here predicted? First, the return of the Jews to their own land. And this is an event which shall certainly be accomplished in due season [Note: Isaías 27:13.Jeremias 30:3; Jeremias 30:18.] — — — Next it declares their conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah, and their instrumentality in converting the heathen world. This also shall be accomplished at the appointed time [Note: Oséias 3:5.Isaías 66:19; Romanos 11:12; Romanos 11:15.] — — —]

God, foreseeing the incredulity of all to whom this prophecy should come, declares,

II.

The certainty of its accomplishment, notwithstanding all the difficulties which lie in the way—

When things are far beyond the powers of man we are apt to judge that they can never be effected—
[Unbelief is deeply rooted in the heart of man. When Sarah was informed, that she, notwithstanding the advanced age of herself and her husband, should bear a child, she laughed at the idea, as altogether incredible [Note: Gênesis 18:9.]. The Israelites in the wilderness, notwithstanding they had seen all God’s wonders in Egypt and at the Red Sea, conceived it impossible that God should ever give them flesh to eat in the wilderness [Note: Salmos 78:19.]: and Moses himself staggered at this promise through unbelief [Note: Números 11:18.]. So it is with us all: “we limit the Holy One of Israel [Note: Salmos 78:41.],” and “judge of him as if he were altogether such an one as ourselves [Note: Salmos 50:21.].”]

But this is erroneous and absurd—
[Very pointed is that interrogation in the text: “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of Hosts.” “There is nothing impossible to God.” He that by a word called the whole universe into existence, What can he not do? There were many in our Lord’s days who doubted the resurrection of the body, because they could not conceive how the scattered atoms could ever be brought together and re-united into the same corporeal mass, so that every human being from the beginning to the end of the world should have his own proper body. But our blessed Lord said to them, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures and the power of God [Note: Mateus 22:29.].” A just consideration of God’s omnipotence would at once have removed all their doubts on this subject, as it will also on every other subject connected with prophecy. Particularly in reference to the final restoration and conversion of the Jews is the power of God insisted on, as a pledge and security for the performance of his promised mercy: “They shall be graffed into their own olivetree again; for God is able to graff them in again [Note: Romanos 11:23.].” When therefore we see the desperate state to which the Jews are reduced, and feel inclined to ask, “Can these dry bones live?” let us bear in mind, that God has declared they shall live [Note: Ezequiel 37:3.], and that “what he has promised he is able also to perform [Note: Romanos 4:21.].”]

Address—
1.

Let none indulge unbelief, in reference to their own souls—

[Frequently are persons ready to despond, as though their difficulties in the divine life were too great to be surmounted. And truly, if our salvation depended on our own efforts only, we might well despond. But has not God engaged to keep his people [Note: 1 Samuel 2:9; Jó 17:9; Filipenses 1:6.]? — — — Has not the Lord Jesus Christ assured us, that “his grace shall be sufficient for us [Note: 2 Coríntios 12:9.]?” Why then should we be cast down, as though there were no hope? See how tenderly God chides us for such unworthy and unbecoming fears [Note: Isaías 40:27.] — — — and learn to “live by faith in the Lord Jesus,” and to be “strong in faith, giving glory to God [Note: Romanos 4:20.].”]

2. Let none indulge it, in reference to the Church of God—

[We confess, “it is marvellous in our eyes,” that the Jews should ever become such a people as we are taught to expect. But we are not therefore to doubt whether the promises of God respecting them will be fulfilled. What the prophet predicted respecting the speedy re-establishment of the Jews after their captivity, was fulfilled: and so will his predictions relative to their future restoration. Hence, in the words immediately following the text, it is said, “Let your hands be strong, ye that hear, in these days, these words by the mouth of the prophets:” and again, in ver. 13 “Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” So then say I to you at this time: You who are engaged in promoting the welfare of the Jewish nation, “fear not, but let your hands be strong.” Your prospects, humanly speaking, are discouraging; but God is on your side; and he who by the sound of rams’ horns cast down the walls of Jericho, will, by your feeble efforts, “glorify himself, and make his own strength perfect in your weakness.”]