CHAP. II. V. 1—5. This was a continuation, of variation, of the foregoing vision, and related to the same subjects.—The prophet saw a man with-a measuring line in his hand, whom he ventured to interrogate about his purpose ; and he answered, that he was going to measure Jerusalem, and mark out the dimensions of it. If the Angel who talked with the prophet, was the same as ‘© the Man who stood among the myrtle-trees,” (Notes, i. 8—19,) the angel of the covenant, the Word and Son of God, as it seems most probable, (Marg.
Ref:) the man with the measuring line must have been a created angel, in human form. (Note, Ez. xl. g.)—When the Angel, who talked with Zechariah, went forth, Me other angel, with the measuring line, went out to meet him, ‘¢ To whom He,” the first Angel, ‘‘ said, Run, &c."—— He directed him, with the measuring line, to give the prophet, who was then a young man, further saticfaction ; and to assure him that Jerusalem would be vastly enla and replenished ; that it would be inhabited, as cities which are not circumscribed by walJs, but spread abroad on every
8
R. C. 519.
1 Ruth fv. 1. - Ise lv. tl.
ae “é, «. LORD: for I have “spread you abroad as inker.svii-e the four winds. of the heaven, saith the
are igs xa Lorp. xi. 7 ° Deliver thyself, O- Zion, that
16. xii. 14,
15. xvii. ai.
oGen. xix. 17. dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. 40; 8 For thus saith the Lorp of hosts; a4 %.15, 16.’ After the glory hath he ‘sent me unto roi. B.xvi. the nations which spoiled you: ‘for he 1.’Jom xv. 93,that toucheth you toucheth * the apple a3, avi. “1s. OF his eye. . _ 9 For, behold, *I will shake mine $@ Kings xxiv. 2. Jor. i. 1% 1 hand upon them, ¥ and they shall be a xxv: 67.1% 18 spoil to their servants: *and ye shall
5. Joel ili. 8-8. knowthat the Lorn of hosts hath sent me.
11. 136 Ob. 10—16.- Mic. iv. 11. v. 6. vii. 10. Hab. il. 8. 17. Zeph. li. 8, t Gen. xx. 6, Ps. cy. 18—15. Acts ix. 4. 2 Thes.i.6. wu Dent. xxxil. 10. Ps. xvii. 8, x Is. x. $2.
- xi. 15. xbii. 2, xix. 16, y Is. xiv. 2. xxxiii. ¢. 29. Jer. xxvii. 7. BZ. xxxix. 10, Hab. ii. 8. 19. Zeph. ii. 9. Z & iv. 9 Vie 15. Jer. xxviii. 9. John xiii. 19. xvi. 4. .
side ; or like those, whose suburbs are far larger than the part.which lies within the walls.
Yet would it be in perfect security: for the almighty Lord would defend it, as if it were walled round with fire, to consume every one who attempted to enter: and he would be the glory of his people, by dwelling in his temple in the midst of the city. — The prosperity, security, and honour of Jerusalem, for some time after the captivity, were a feeble shadow of the extent of the gospel-church, the number of her converts, her security under the Lord’s protection, and her glory through his presence in his ordinances, and as dwelling in Jesus Christ.
Yet this seems especially to refer to those glorious times, which shall succeed the destruction of the new ‘Testament-Babylon.—‘ Vitringa refers the literal * completion of this prophecy to the time of the Macca- ‘ bees; but thinks, that the protection and glory of the “ future Jerusalem may also be predicted.’ (Rev. xx. g.) (2p Newcombe.). 6—g. The language. of this proclamation first claims our attention.
The Lorp of hosts is the Speaker, (8,) yet he speaks as one who is sent; at the same time he says, ‘* I will shake my hand upon them ;” ‘¢ by this ye <¢ shall know that the Lorp of hosts hath sent me.” (9.) The language shews, that not the prophet, but he that spake by him was intended. There are evidently two persons here called, ‘* the Lor» of Hosts:” one who: is sent, and the other he who sent him even the eternal Son of God, and the Father who sent-him, as his willing Messenger to be the Saviour of his people.
Thus reéatively, as well as in respect of his human nature, he condescended to be inferior to the Father, though he claimed to be na-furally equal, as One with him in the unity of the God-head. And had not the prophet, or rather the Holy Spirit who spake by him, considered: the promised Messiah as JEHOVAH Saboath, Emmanuel, such language would not have been used ; for it would have had an evident tendency to mislead us.—‘ This must necessarily be understood of < Christ, who being God, equal with his Father, was sent,, ¢ as he was Mediator, to dwell in his church.’ (11.)—The.
Lord having promised to protect, honour, and bless Jeru-.
CHAPTER IL
6 | Ho, 'ho, come forth, ™and flee | “i ins se.from the Jand of the north, saith the
-to the Lorp in that day,’and shall be my>*. 5.
holy habitation.
B.C. 519.
10 F Sing *and rejoice, O daughter ote ye of Zion: for, °lo, I come, ‘and I will xxv toss: dwell in the midst of thee, saith the i Lorp. M4.
11 And “many nations shall be joined 1 people: and I will dwell in the midst of, taint thee, and ‘thou shalt know that the Lorp of hosts hath sent me unto thee. 72%" 5 _ 12 And the Lorp shall ‘inherit Judah, his portion in the holy land, #and shall “i, 16. Rev. ii. choose Jerusalem again. vi
13 " Be silent, O all flesh, before the 1 Lorn: ‘for he is raised up out of *his ™ }
Lev., ]
1. Luke ii. 3%. Acts xxviii.
7. 22, 23. lit, 10. Ix. 3, Ee. Ixvi. 19, %@- Jer. xvi. 19. Mal. i. 1 i e9. John xvii. 21. 23. 25. “a
Qs. 1 Pet. li. 9, 10, Rev. Xie 15. xxxti. 9.
ii, @0. Zeph. i. 7. Rom. iii 19. ixe 90. i ‘ @ Heb. the habitation of his holiness. Deut. xxvi. 15, 2 Chr. xxx. K |
salem, here issued a proclamation to the Jews, (who still remained.in Babylon and the northern regions of Chaldea ;) and the Israelites in their dispersions, to return without delay that they might share her privileges. He had indeed scattered them on every side, by their late calamities; and this was their chastisement and affliction, rather than their . sin. But, since the decree of Cyrus and the assurances of his returning favour, they would be inexcusable in remain.~ ing ata distance from the holy city, among devoted idolaters.
They might till this time be considered as Zion,. the church of God, though dwelling in Babylon; but now they were commanded to deliver themselves, unless they preferred exile and slavery.
For, after the glory promised, and already begun to be conferred. on Jerusalem, by his presence with his people; the Lorp of hosts had sent his Messiah to the nations that had spoiled the Jews, to take vengeance upon them: as he, who touched them, touched the apple of his eye; (speaking after the: manner of men.) . they touched him in the most tender part, and would surely excite his keenest resentment. (Ps. xvii. 8.) The Messiah would therefore shake his hand upon them, as making a signal to the executioners of his vengeance ; and then they, who had been their servants, would plunder and oppress them ; and by this the Jews would know that the Lord of hosts had sent him.’ They ought therefore, with. out delay, to flee from those devoted cities and countries,, lest they should be involved in their calamities.—Not long after this the Babylonians revolted: from Darius, and he: besieged that city for twenty months ;. and, having taken it,. he made terrible slaughter of the inhabitants, and destroyed. most of its fortifications, which prepared the way for its more complete desolation.—This may:also be considered as. * the call of Christ to his people, to separate from Anti-christian corrupters and oppressors of his church, before that destruction. of the new Testament-Babylon, which probably will be the grand means of convincing the Jews that.
Jesus: was their promised Messiah. (AZarg.. Ref.)
V. 10—13. This seems ‘to be an express prediction of. the coming of Christ, in human. nature, to dwell in the: midst of his church, The daughter of Zion, the inha-
B.C. 510. | CHAP. III.
Joshua stands before the Angel in filthy garments, and is resisted by Satan: but
the Angel orders him change of raiment - and a fair mitre, and gives him en-
- couraging promises, 1—7. A prophecy of
the Branch, and the Stone on which were seveneyes; with further promises,8—10.
7 <
bitants of Jerusalem, were called on to rejoice and sing, because he would come and dwell among them; for he was ‘* the Glory of his people Israel.” But he was also to be “a Light to the Gentiles ;” and many nations, in that day, would renounce their idolatry, and join themselves to the Lord as his worshippers, among whom he
would dwell ; and by this the Jews would know that the:
Lorp of hosts had sent him to them.—Let the reader attentively mark the language; ‘‘ many nations shall be “¢ joined to JEHOVAH 5 and they shall be my people ; and ‘6 J will dwell, &c.’—It is evident ‘that JEHOVAH here speaks ; yet he adds, ‘‘ Thou shalt know that JEHOVAH ** of hosts hath sent me unto thee.”’—It is the singular number. The prophet should know, that JEHOVAH of hosts had sent that person to him, who spake in the name of the Lorp; not, the people that JEHOVAH had sent the prophet to them.—It seems impossible, that this language should. be mistaken, except it be disregarded.
Few passages, even in the New Testament, more clearly speak of distinct persons, in the unity of the Godhead, than this does. (Marg. Ref. Notes, Gen. xvi. 10, 11. 13, 14. XVviii. 3, 2. 93. Xxxli. 99. xlviii. 16. Ex. iil. 2. xxii. 20—29.) -—The day intended may either mean the time, when the gospel was first preached to the Gentiles ; orthat which will soon arrive, when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in.
But the next verse evidently looks forward to the latter days; for then the Lord will inherit Judah, in his holy land, and again choose Jerusalem; having converted the Jews, and brought them back to their own land. However, at both these times, he would evidently be raised up out of his holy habitation, to plead the cause of his people against their enemies: and it would behove all the fallen frail race of men to fear before him, and to adore these displays of his power, justice, truth, and‘ love, with silence and submission, and without murmurs, objections, or opposition. -
-——‘ Many were made proselytes to Judaism: the Edomites ‘were converted in the time of John Hyrcanus.’ (£p. Newcombe.)—The vanquished Edomites were indeed then compelled to be circumcised, and to profess themselves . Jews.—But can any man of reflection be satisfied with such an interpretation? Have not whole nations, and powerful nations, at least in as unexceptionable a way, embraced Christianity? And are not more glorious times foretold? And does not this confirm, beyond reasonable ‘doubt, that exposition, which explains the prophecy of our Lord’s coming and kingdom ?
e
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
ee The great Builder of the church, whatever instruments
ZECHARIAH,
~B. C..a1g ND ‘he shewed ‘mé * Joshua thet » % % ®. -
high-priest standing before’ 4 the?®: 7 Uist
Angel of the Lorp, ‘and ° Satan stand-, Det x, 8. ‘ing at his right hand to t resist him. vi a8 Chr. 2, And ‘the Lorp said unto Satan, So 8, der x,
5 The Lorn rebuke thee, O'Satan; even 33. Lake ‘xx
d Gen. xiviii. 16, Ex. iii. 2—6. xxiil. @, @1. Hos. xil.4¢, 5. oa. ili. 1, “acts vil. 30—G8.
¢e Job i. 6—19. ii, 1—8. Luke xxii. $1. Rev. xii. 9, 10. That is, o can. Job 1.6. Ps. cix.6. Margins. 1 Pet. v. 8 .., ¢ Heb, behis adversary. Gen. i. 18, f Ps. cix.3!. Luke xxii. 3 Rom. xvi. 90. 1 John ili. 8. g Dan. xf, 2. Mark I. 83. Luke iv. 35. ix, 12, Jude ¢g. : on:
he employs, always works by line and rule; and he knows the. dimensions of his holy city, and all those who truly belong to it.
But we may boldly apply to him for information, about all interesting matters which perplex us:. and by his gracious instruction, even the young and inexperienced will be made so wise, in the most important concerns, that no man can without great sin despise their youth.—The church of God is so admirably constructed, that, after the millions which have already entered it, ‘* there ‘€ is yet room” for innumerable miHions more; none shall be refused who trust in Christ; and he never. excludes from the church in heaven, one of .the true members of the church on earth.—Our desire, prayer, and. endeavour then ought to be, that Jerusalem may be replenished with such numerous converts, that her present limits may be far too narrow, and that the suburbs of this holy city may become much larger, than all her present dimensions are,— The inhabitants of Zion need fear no danger or disgrace, however exposed and despised they may be,. seeing the Lorp will be, ‘‘ a wall of fire around them, and a glory in ‘¢ the midst of them.”” We should therefore, in. our several places, circulate his proclamation far and near: that sinners, - who are scattered in all parts of the globe, may be brought to separate from their wicked companions, to renounce idolatry, superstition, and iniquity, and join themselves. to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as his worshippers and scrvants.—When he hath displayed his glory in purifying his church, he will proceed to punish those wlio have spoiled her.
Let all men therefore fear to harmehis worshippers ; for the least injurious touch will provoke his indignation: if his wrath be kindled, yea, but a little, and he do but shake his hand over his enemies, misery and contempt will seize upon them ; and all the world shall know that the Father hath sent the Son to be fhe Saviour of his people, and the terrible Judge and Avenger of all who will not have him to reign over them.
Let us then rejoice in his salvation, who now dwells in our nature, and abides with his people perpetually; and to whom many nations have already been joined, and all the rest in due time will join themselves. May we be found a part of his chosen inheritance, and yield him a large revenue of praise, honour, and worship: and then he will own us for his portion, and be our Portion in his holy land above.
And let all flesh tremble and adore before him: for though he now has taken up his residence in his holy habitation in heaven, and many are ready to enquire, ‘* Where is the ‘¢ promise of his coming?” yet he will soon arise, aad make his cause triumphant, and punish his enemies : and he will ere long come to judgment,.to complete the salvation of his people, and to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. ;
La
B.C. 510. . | | hi. 7 ti. the Lorp that hath ® chosen Jerusalem John xt. 18 rebuke thee: zs not this ' a brand plucked
Rom s Viil. $3., Re out of the fire?
~s0. gra ix. filthy garments, and stood before the
15. Is. Ixtv. 6. Bi ah Angel. att. U, — se ate 4 And: he answered and spake unto xxii 19: Is st! those that stood before him, saying,
Rey. v. It. tm Is, xliii. 25, Ez.
™ Take away the filthy garments from xxxvi, 95. Cathim. And unto him he said, Behold, uy u7* Fen T have caused thine iniquity to pass ois’ from thee, ° and I will clothe thee with
° J bh . 29. e Hie. vii. i. Change of raiment. Is, Ixi. 3. 10. ©
* Lake x. 92 § And I said, Let them set.Pa fair 1cor. i 1. mitre upon his head. So they set a fair
Col. iti 1% 1s mitre upon his head, and clothed him
Rev. xix. 7, 8. e . 08 ee ee p vi. Ul. Bx. xxviil. 24, xxix. 6. Lev. viii. 6—9. Heb. ii, 8, 9. Rev. iv. 4. 10. v. S14.
| NOTES.