CHAP. II. V. 1, 2. Marg . and Marg . Ref . V. 3-5. These transactions took place about sixty-eight years from the time when the temple had been destroyed, and about seventeen years from the issuing of the decree of Cyrus, and above fifteen years after the foundations had first been laid. ( Note , Ezra 3:12,13.) Yet some Jews still remained alive, who had seen the former temple in their youth, before they were carried to Babylon. These could not but observe, from the preparations, the plan, and the progress of the work, that this new temple was likely to be much inferior to it in grandeur.
Whilst they lamented this, they seem to have undervalued the labors of the people, and to have discouraged the work; and therefore the Lord sent his servant to prevent the effects.
He allowed, that this house must appear as nothing, in the eyes of those, who had seen the other in its glory: yet that should not prevent the rulers and people from proceeding with the vigor and courage of faith and hope; as God was with them to prosper their labors, according to the promises of the covenant made with their fathers; and "his Spirit," the Author of all true glory and excellency, "remained among them," to direct, sanctify, and bless them, as in the days of old: and therefore they needed not fear acceptance or assistance. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Ex . 29:42-46.
Num . 11: 17,25,28,29. Josh . 1:7.1 Chr . 22:11—13. 28:10.
exalted or sacred characters ought not to be || Neh . 9:20. Is . 48:16. 59:20,21. 63:11-14. Zech.
Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land .
and
7 And I will shake all nations, the Desire of all nations shall come: Pand
21,22. Heb. 12:26-28.
1 Ps. 37:10. Is. 10:25. 29:17. Jer. 51:33. Heb. 10:37.
m Is. 34:4. Jer. 4:23-26. Ez. 38:20. Joel 2:30-32. Matt. 24:29,30. Mark 13:24-26.
Loke 21:25-27. Acts 2:19, 20. Rev. 6.12-17. 8:5-12. 11:19 16:2-21.
20-25. Joel 3:9-16. Luke 21:10,11.
o Gen. 3:15. 22:18. 49:10. Zech.
I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.
9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I
9:9,10. Luke 2:10,11. Rom. $give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.
15:9-15. Gal. 3:8.
p Ex. 40:34,35. 1 Kings 8:11. 2 Chr. 5:14. Ps. 30:1. Mal. 3: 1. Luke 19:47. 20:1. 21:38. John 1:14. 2:13-17, 7:37-39.
n Ez. 21:27. Dan. 2:44,45.7: 10:23-38. Col. 2:9.
4:4-7. 8:3,9-15, v. 9. 1 Cor . 16:13,14. Eph . 6: 10—13 . 2 Tim . 2:1,2.)
V. 6-9. For their further encouragement, the rulers, priests, and people were informed, that during the continuance of this temple, a most important change or revolution would take place, introducing a new and more glorious state of the church. "Yet once more," the Lord intended entirely to change the external form of his church, and to bring in that dispensation which should endure to the end.The word "once," has a clear sense, if under'stood of the evangelical age; for many polit'ical revolutions succeeded; ... but only one 'great and final religious revolution.' Bp .
Nerocombe. ( Note , Heb . 12:26-29.) -This would be "in a little while," compared with the years that had passed since the first promise of the Messiah, or even from the giving of the law.
Then the Lord would "shake the heavens and the earth:" various convulsions and changes would take place in the Jewish church and state, which would end in the abrogation of the ritual law and the whole Mosaic dispensation, the disannulling of the national covenant, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the ruin of their civil government; attended with earthquakes, tempests, and violent commotions of the elements, above and beneath, by sea and by land. ( Marg . Ref.k -n. -Notes , 20–23. Jer . 4:19—27. Ez . 17:22-24. Joel 2:28-32. Matt . 24:29-31. Luke 21:25-28.
Acts 2:14-21, υυ . 16–20.) These events would be preceded by great revolutions and commotions among the nations; the Persian monarchy would be subverted by the Macedonians, and that by the Romans; and all these changes would make way for the coming of Christ, and the introduction of his spiritual kingdom. At the appointed time, He, "the Desire of all nations," whom all nations ought to desire, and in due time would desire; He, in whom "all the nations of the earth were
[ Practical Olservations.]
q1 Kings 6:20-35. 1 Chr. 29:19 Ps. 85:8,9. Is. 9:6,7. 57:18- 14-16. Ps. 24:1. 50:10-12. 21. Mic. 5:5. Luke 2:14. John Is. 60:13,17. 14:27. Acts 10:36. Eph. 2:14
roPs. 24:7-10. 1 Tim. 3:16. -17. Col. 1:19-21. Jam. 2:1.
peace:" there he would preach and confer peace: and in the mean time God would give peace to those who worshipped there, in anticipation of the blessings of Messiah's reign. ( Marg . Ref . s.)-The second temple could not excel the first in glory, in any other respect than this: it was indeed considerably beautified, decorated, and enriched in after ages; but nothing equal to the splendor of the temple in the days of Solomon: and the Jews themselves allow, that the ark of the covenant, the visible glory, and some other things which distinguished the former temple, were wanting in this.
But they cannot find any thing that is worthy to be mentioned, in which it was more glorious; though they have been excited to rack their invention to the utmost for that purpose.
For as the second temple has been destroyed above seventeen hundred years; if nothing else can be adduced, in which its glory exceeded that of Solomon's temple, it must be allowed that the presence of the promised Messiah was intended; and if this be yielded, it will undeniably follow that "Jesus of Nazareth" was he: and thus they must condemn their own obstinate rejection of him, concerning whom all their own prophets spoke.
For in this alone did the glory of the latter house exceed that of the former, that the "Desire of all nations," the Lord of glory came to it, personally and in human nature.
So that this prophecy alone is sufficient to decide the controversy with them, seeing they allow the divine inspiration of Haggai. ( Notes , Dan . 9:24-27.) -Some indeed speak, as if Herod the great entirely pulled down this temple, and builded another: but what Josephus records on that subject is not consistent with itself, and with other writers, and seems rather penned in the style of panegyric than of history: and, however Herod repaired, beautified, and enlarged the outbuildings of the temple, it never was the gen
to be blessed," and of whose coming a gen-eral opinion of the Jews themselves, that he
eral expectation would prevail, as of some most desirable event; He would come, and his presence, who is "the Glory of the LORD” and the true Temple, "in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily," would fill that house with glory, and render it far more glorious, than the Shechinah (or visible glory) rendered Solomon's temple. ( Marg . Ref . o, p. -Notes , Gen. 3:14,15. 12:1-3, v . 3. Εx . 40:34, 35. 1 Kings 8:10–14. Mal . 3:1–4, v . 1. Matt . 12:5,6. Luke 2:25-32, νυν . 30-32. John 2:1322. Rev. 21:22-27, v . 22.) The Lord could, if he so pleased, enrich that house with silver and gold beyond the former temple; for all the treasures of the earth are his: but, as a more
demolished the second temple; but that it continued the same, till its destruction by the Romans. With that event the old dispensation ended; "for the Desire of all nations was come," and he erected his spiritual temple, as it were, upon the ruins of it. The word rendered "come" (7) is plural, and it is with probability supposed, that the substantive should be plural also. "The desires of all the nations shall come." Some learned men, therefore, have argued, that the precious or desirable things, namely, the riches of the nations are meant: and that it is a forced construction to interpret the passage of the Messiah. - The objections to this interpretation are, the great
spiritual dispensation was about to be intro- 'solemnity of the introduction; (6,7.) and the duced, he had a greater and a more spiritual 'impropriety of the language, "The desirable glory to confer upon it, in the presence of Im- 'things of all nations shall come," when it manuel his incarnate Son. ( Note , Ez . 41:22.) 'should rather be said, "the desirable things of Thither he would come, as "the Prince of 'all nations shall be brought . " ... The word is
10 In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month , in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
11 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; " Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.
13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.
14 Then answered Haggai, and said, 2 So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the Lord: and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
'used plurally, with the force of the singular, '(like deliciæ , or spes , in Latin,) Dan . 9:23. vir 'desideriorum, "greatly beloved." Cant . 5:16. we 'have... ipse totus desideria , for desiderabilis .' ("He is altogether lovely.") 'It may well be doubted, whether the second temple could 'exceed that of Solomon, in the splendor and 'costliness of its ornaments. Prideaux values 'the gold with which the holy of holies alone 'was overlaid, at four millions, three hundred 'and twenty thousand pounds sterling.
It 'seems to me, that, supposing the Messiah to 'be prophesied of, greater precision in the lan'guage would not have been used: for this 'would have led the Jews to expect a demolition 'of the temple then building, and the erection 'of another in its stead.... No nominal distinc'tion, between Zerubbabel's and Herod's tem'ple, seems to have been ever made by the Jews: but in popular language these structures, 'though really different, were spoken of as the 'same.
On one occasion, Josephus himself 'mentions only two buildings of the temple; a 'former, in the time of Solomon; and a latter, 'in that of Cyrus. In Chronicon Hebræum , &c. 'Vespasian is said to have destroyed the tem'ple, four four hundred and forty years after it was 'rebuilt.' Bp . Newcombe. No more than seven years were spent in building Solomon's temple, and only four in in building building the second temple, from the time when the Jews resumed the work. It is indeed most evident, that Herod never pulled down the temple, temple, in order to erect a new one.
There was a temple, for the worship of JEHOVAH according to the law, during all the forty-six years, which whi was spent
16 Since those days were, d when one came to an heap of twenty measures , there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fisty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.
17 I smote you * with blasting and with mildew and with hail, & in all the labors of your hands; "yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.
18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month , even from the day that 6 18. 1:5,7. Ps. 107:43. Is. 5:
12. Hos. 14:9. Mal. 3:8-11. Rom. 6:21. 1 Cor. 11:31.
c Ezra 3:10. 4:24.
d 1:6,9-11. Prov. 3:9,10. Zech. 8:10-12. Mal. 2:2.
e Gen. 12:6,23,27,
Deut. 28:
22. 1 Kings 8:37. 2 Chr. 6:28. Is. 37:27. Am. 4:9.
f Ex. 9:18-29. Is. 28:2.
g 1:11. Ps. 78:46. Is. 62:8. Jer.
3:24.
h 2 Chr. 28:22. Job 36:13. Is. 9:13. 42:25. Jer. 5:3. 6:16,17. 8:4-7. Hos. 7:9,10. Am. 4: 8-11. Zech. 1:2-4. 7:9-13. Rev. 2:21. 9:20,21.
i 15. Deut. 32:29. Luke 15:17 -20.
k 1:14,15. Ezra 5:1,2, Zech. 8 :9.
that of the second temple, in its highest magnificence: and the prophecy clearly means, that the glory of the second temple should exceed the glory which the first had at any time been favored with. Nothing but the presence of the incarnate Son of God could fulfil this prediction.
V. 10-14. The time which had elapsed from Haggai's first message to this, being nearly four months, seems to have been taken up by the Jews in preparing to build: but now they proceeded to the work itself. The prophet was on this occasion ordered to propose two questions to the priests, the ordinary interpreters of the law. (Marg. Ref . u.- Notes , Lev . 10: 8-11. Ez . 44:23,24.
Mal . 2:4-9, v . 7.) Supposing a man should carry, in the skirt of his garment, any part of the holy oblations, (which were to be eaten by the priests alone, in the courts of the temple,) and then with that same skirt should touch some ordinary provision, would that communicate sanctity to the bread, flesh, wine, or oil thus touched? This the priests answered in the negative; ceremonial holiness could not be thus con conveyed.
On the other hand, if a man, who was unclean by a dead body, touched such provisions, would not that render them unclean, unfit to be offered to God, or even for common use? To which they answered in the affirmative.
It was then evident, that uncleanness was more easily ea communicated than holiness: and the inference was, that the people, when they lived in the neg neglect of their duty, as to the building buil of the temple, through a covetous or self-indulgent attention to secular concerns, could not have their ordinary employments sanctified by the sacrifices which they offered; but on the contrary they polluted their religious services, by their own unbelief and hypocrisy, or selfish neglect of their duty duty in this particular.-"That 'thing, which is of itself good, cannot make 'another thing so; and therefore they ought 'not to justify justify themselves by their sacrifices
in repairing or rebuilding it. One part must therefore have been taken down at once, as far as needful for the purpose, and no more: but the old foundation, and the most essential parts of the structure, no doubt remained.
Whoever compares the sixth chapter of the first of Kings, even with the most splendid accounts of the second temple, however adorned with costly stones, and other magnificent decorations; 'and ceremonies: but contrary he that is unmust perceive, that the former being overlaid 'clean and not pure of heart, doth corrupt in every part with pure gold, gave it a glory, of 'those things, and make them detestable to this kind, which was incomparably beyond 'God, which else are good and godly.' ( Marg . the foundation of the Lord's temple was|| 22 And I will Poverthrow the throne of laid, consider it . kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as of the kingdoms of the heathen; 9 and 1 yet the vine, and the fig-tree, and the pom-will overthrow the chariots, and those that egranate, and the olive-tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you .
20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggaim in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,
21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
ride in them: and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, sand will make thee as a signet: t for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.
p Is. 60:12. Ez. 21:27. Dan. 2: 34,35,44,45. 7:25-27. 8:25. Mic. 5:8,15. Zeph. 3:8. Zech. 10:11. 12:2-5. 14:3. Matt. 24: 7. Rev. 11:15.
o 6,7. Ps. 46:6. Ez. 26:15. 38: 19,20. Joel 3:16. Heb. 12:26, q Ex. 14:17,28. 15:4,19. Ps. 46: 27. Rev. 16:17-19.
Ref . x-a.- Notes , 1:4-11. Lev . 6:25-29. Num . 9:6-8. 19:11,21. Prov. 15:8,9. 21:4,27. Is . 1:10-15 . Ez . 44:17-20, v . 19. Tit . 1:14—16.) V. 15-19. The people were therefore called on, to consider "from that day," both what had befallen them, and what was about to befal them; and to compare these together. Before they had begun to place more courses of stone, on the foundation which they had laid several years before, (that is, during the years the work had been neglected,) they had been strangely frustrated in their expectations.
If a man came to a heap of corn, in the straw, or in the chaff, which he computed at twenty measures, he seldom obtained more than ten: for there proved to be much straw and chaff, and little corn. Or if a man expected fifty barrels of wine from the grapes which he carried to the wine-press; when he came to draw it off after they had been pressed, there proved no more than twenty, they were so unproductive.
For the Lord had been so offended with their carnal and selfish negligence of his temple, that he disappointed them in all their works; and visited them with various calamities, which they ascribed to second causes, and so did not repent or return to his service. ( Marg . Ref . b-h.- Notes , 1:5-11. Ezra 5:1,2. Ps . 107:33-43, v. 34. Jocl 1:4,17,18. Am . 4:610. Zech . 8:9-15.
Mal . 2:1-3, v . 2.) But let them take notice, that from that very day, when they began to build on the foundation of his house, though their corn was not gathered in, nor had their trees begun to bud, (for it was nearly the depth of winter,) and there was no appearance of a favorable change; yet from that day he would as remarkably bless them, with fruitful seasons and an abundant increase; both graciously to recompense their obedience, and to to encourage them to proceed. proce ( Marg . Ref.i -l.- Notes , 1:13-15. Prov . 3:9,10. Mal. 3:7-12. Matt. 6:33,34, v. 33. 2 Cor. 9:811.)
V.20-23. "And the word of the LORD came the second time unto Haggai, in, &c." The conclusion of the book was a second message, sent by the prophet, on the same day with that which precedes.-Zerubbabel, as the governor of of Judah, was the type as well as the progenitor of Christ; rist; to whom doubtless the prophecy was principally directed. The Lord again declared his purpose of causing violent concussions and revolutions in the heavens and earth, or in the state of the church and of the world. He would subvert monarchies one after another, and destroy nations by intestine wars. (See on Note , 6-9, v. 6.- Notes , Dan .
9. 76:6. Ez. 39:20.
r Judg. 7:22. 1 Sam. 14:16. 2 Chr. 20.22,23. Is. 9:19. 19:2. s Cant. 8:6. Jer. 22:24. John 6:27. 2 Tim. 2:19.
t Is. 42:1. 43:10. 49:1-3. Zech. 4:6-14. Matt. 12:18. 1 Pet, 2:4.
2:34,35,44,45. Rev. 11:15-18.) But he would take Zerubbabel, and keep him safe as his sig net; and employ him to rule over his people; as a man ratifies deeds by his signet or seal, and sets it on any thing as a security, or to mark authenticity or appropriation: for he had chosen him for that purpose. (Notes, Cant . 8:6,7. Jer . 22:24-27. John 6:22-27, v. 27. 2 Tim . 2: 19.) This was a gracious intimation, that the Lord would preserve Zerubbabel, and the people of Judah by him, amidst the machinations of their enemies and the ruin of surrounding states and kingdoms.
But it also predicted the establishment and continuance of the kingdom of Christ, the elect Servant of the Father, the Governor of Judah: by union with whom his people are sealed with the Holy Ghost, and stamped with his image, and thus distinguished from all other persons, and preserved unto the day of redemption. ( Notes , 2 Cor. 1:21,22.
Eph . 1:13,14. 4:30-32, v. 30.) And it predicted the changes, that would take place in the church, and in the kingdoms of the world, even to that time, when the kingdom of Christ shall subvert and occupy the place of all those monarchies, which have opposed his cause. - This could not be fulfilled in Zerubbabel, who did not in all likelihood live many years after the finishing of the tem'ple; and to be sure, did not see any of these 'great changes here foretold: and therefore the Messias must be here described under the 'name of Zerubbabel, as he elsewhere is under 'that of David.
Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Ez . 34:23-31, v. 23. Hos . 3:4,5. Zech. 38-10 4:8-10.6:10—13.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-9.
The word of God is intended to encourage us, as well as to excite us to our duty. Those who have witnessed or read of, extraordinary effects produced by the power of God in his ordinances, should not despise or dishearten those, who are endeavoring to do good in a little way, with small success, and under great disadvantages. disadvantages. Though it may appear "as nothing in their eyes," yet the seed may spring up and become a great tree; and every degree of good to souls should be thought important. ( Zech . 4:10.) Indeed men are very incompetent judges of what is glorious, in religious matters: many things excite admiration because they are noisy and ostentatious; whereas "the kingdom of God cometh not with observation." Abiding and blessed effects are sometimes produced by obscure and despised instruments,
and for a time in silence and neglect: till at length they burst forth to public view, and claim attention as excellent, useful, and permanent; when such as for a little time excited admiration and applause, but were more superficial, vanish, or terminate in confusion.
If we be therefore occupied, according to the conimand of God, and in dependence on his promise, we should "be strong" in faith, vigorous, and active, laboring in hope, even in obscurity and with little visible success; for though man may despise us, "the LORD of Hosts will be with us," according to his covenanted word, "Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world;" and his Spirit, who abides with his people for ever, will not refuse us a measure of success and comfort in our work: therefore we should not fear.
That power, which shakes the heavens and the earth, the sea, and the dry land; and which effected such wonderful changes and revolutions among the Jews and Gentiles, in the first ages of the gospel; can
"Holiness becometh" the temple of God and his spiritual priesthood: and those who are appointed to interpret his word, ought to be ready and expert in solving cases respecting it. The merest novice, however, in spiritual things must know, that "evil communications corrupt good manners;" and yet the company of saints has no natural efficacy to sanctify: for diseases are often infectious, but health cannot be imparted in the same way. Pollution, being congenial to our nature, is more easily communicated than holiness: how dangerous then is it for those, who profess godli
easily prepare men's hearts in any congrega-ness, to form intimate connexions with unbe
tion, or of any description, to welcome Christ, as the Desire of their hearts and precious to their souls. He, whose are all the riches of the earth and all their possessors, can defray the expense of any undertaking, which is real- ly for his glory; so that we may depend on him for whatever we want: and if his minis- ters be poor, or the places appropriated to his worship mean, or any apparently good design fail of adequate resources; we may be sure that he sees it best for his servants, and most for his own glory, that it should be so.
They, however, who are stewards of his gold and silver, should remember that he will demand an account of the use which they make of them; and when they contribute most liberal- ly to pious or charitable designs, they should observe, that they only render to the Lord a portion of his own , and that he has a right to demand the whole whenever he pleases.
But the glory of the gospel-church is greater than that of either the former or the latter tem for "behold a greater than Solomon is here!" The "Desire of all nations," is the precious Foundation and approved Corner-stone of this spiritual temple: believers are the living stones of which it is formed; and it is the con- stant habitation of God by his Holy Spirit, and shall be for evermore. (Note, Eph . 2:19-22.) Here are contained the whole spiritual beauty and glory of the earth: hereafter, being re- moved to heaven, these will be the joy and ad- miration of angels and arch-angels to all eter- nity.
May then revolutions and reformations,
temple:
2:19-22.)
lievers, vainly hoping to impart good, when they have immensely more cause to fear the most important injury to themselves! ( Note , 2 Cor . 6:14-18.) - We should also learn not to depend on external services, which are all rendered unclean by an unbelieving, carnal, and hypocritical heart.
While we live in known sin or neglect of known duty, we cannot reasonably expect benefit from ordinances, or comfortable success in our temporal concerns; but when we are uprightly obedient, the Lord graciously accepts our imperfect and defiled services.-Were we carefully to consider the different parts of our lives, and compare them with each other; we should most of us perceive an evident difference between those, in which we have been totally irreligious or greatly negligent, and those, in which we have endeavored " first to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness:" and that the former have been far more full of anxiety and disappointment, the latter of success and comfort, even in outward things.
But if it have not been remarkably so with us ; yet the Lord will curse the blessings of the wicked, and imbitter the prosperity of the negligent: and he will sweeten the cup of affliction to those, who humbly and di diligently serve him. And, what ever changes take pla lace on earth, all will concur in promoting the comfort, honor, and happiness of his servants, who devote themselves unreservedly to him: even as they will tend to establish the kingdom of Christ, the chosen Signet of the Father, Father, by whom all believers
in churches and kingdoms, make way for lare preserved and sealed unto life eternal,
THE
BOOK OF ZECHARIAH.
ZECHARIAH began to prophesy two months after Haggai; being raised up to be his coadjutor, in exciting the Jews to rebuild the temple: but it is probable, that he continued to exercise
his prophetical office during a much longer his prophetic theficering maten longer time though the visions and predictions, in the
Various traditions are extant concerning him: but in
general they are improbable, or uncertain and frivolous; so that no more is known of him, than what is recorded in scripture, and may be seen by consulting the marginal references on some of the verses in which his name is mentioned. His prophetical character and usefulness is recorded by Ezra: ( Ezra 5:1,2. 6:14.) and his book is repeatedly quoted and referred to, and thus sanctioned as the word of God, in the New Testament. (Compare 9:9. with Matt . 21:4,5. John 12:14-16.-11:12,13. with Matt . 27:7-10.-12:10. with John 19:34-37. Rev. 1:7. -13:7. with Matt . 26:31.
Mark 14:27.) The numerous and extraordinary prophecies, however, which it contains, sufficiently demonstrate that the prophet "spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost." Many of these have been undeniably and most wonderfully accomplished: and the rest though considered as peculiarly obscure, on careful investigation will be found to foretel, sometimes under other emblems and metaphors, the same future events with the most remarkable predictions, both in the Old and New Testaments.
Zechariah has been styled, 'the sun among the minor prophets;' and the time approaches, when the propriety of this title will no doubt be fully illustrated.
After general warnings, and exhortations to repentance, the prophet foretels the completion of the temple; the rebuilding, replenishing, security, and prosperity of Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah; and the judgments of God on the enemies of his people: but, in doing this, under the types of Zerubbabel and Joshua, and by using figurative language, he predicts the coming of Christ, our King and High Priest, the establishment of his kingdom, the building of his spiritual temple, the conversion of the Gentiles, and the enlargement and prosperity of the Christian church. (1: -4: 6:) By the visions of a flying roll and an ephah, he shews the judgments which would come on the wicked Jews, and the abject and oppressed state of the nation, after they had filled up the measure of their sins. (5:) Then follow prophecies (interspersed with warnings and exhortations,) of prosperity and enlargement to Jerusalem; till at length, the strong nations of all languages would become the worshippers of JEHOVAH, and join themselves to his people. (7:8:) The intermediate events to the surrounding nations, and to the Jews, from the completion of the temple till the coming of Christ, are next foretold, with figurative intimations of the prevalence of his gospel, by the triumphs of his apostles and servants. (9: 10:) To these are subjoined, the destruction of the temple, and the rejection of the nation for contempt of Christ, and other sins; and afterwards of the nations that oppressed Jerusalem and the church.
At length a bright scene is opened to our view, by prophecies of the conversion of the nation to their crucified Messiah; the humility, zeal, and excellence of the new converts; and the final ruin of all idolatry and false religion. (11:12:13:1-5.) And finally, the inspired writer returns to speak more explicitly of the death of Christ, as our Sacrifice, by the sword of divine justice; the tremendous judgments which would then be inflicted on the unbelieving Jews; the preservation of a remnant through fiery trials, and their conversion; the taking and destruction of Jerusalem, to be followed by the ruin of the nations who had fought against her; the removing of hindrances, that the Gentiles might enter the church; its establishment in the primitive times; the state of things during the succeeding ages, to the restoration of the Jews, and the rebuilding of their city, and the arrival of the Millennium, when all the nations will either be terribly destroyed, or become joyful worshippers of God; and during which the cause of holiness shall decidedly and finally prevail. (13:7 -9. 14:)-This is the general outline of the book, according to the author's view and interpretation of it, which is here given, to assist the reader, in forming his judgment on the exposition of particular prophecies; in several of which he has been reluctantly compelled to differ from some learned and eminent expositors.
В. С. 520.
В. С. 520.