mh_parser/vol_split/38 - Zechariah/Chapter 2.xml

<div2 id="Zech.iii" n="iii" next="Zech.iv" prev="Zech.ii" progress="93.35%" title="Chapter II">
<h2 id="Zech.iii-p0.1">Z E C H A R I A H.</h2>
<h3 id="Zech.iii-p0.2">CHAP. II.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Zech.iii-p1" shownumber="no">In this chapter we have, I. Another vision which
the prophet saw, not for his own entertainment, but for his
satisfaction and the edification of those to whom he was sent,
<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.1-Zech.2.2" parsed="|Zech|2|1|2|2" passage="Zec 2:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. II. A sermon
upon it, in the rest of the chapter, 1. By way of explication of
the vision, showing it to be a prediction of the replenishing of
Jerusalem and of its safety and honour, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.3-Zech.2.5" parsed="|Zech|2|3|2|5" passage="Zec 2:3-5">ver. 3-5</scripRef>. 2. By way of application. Here is,
(1.) A use of exhortation to the Jews that were yet in Babylon,
pressing them to hasten their return to their own land, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.6-Zech.2.9" parsed="|Zech|2|6|2|9" passage="Zec 2:6-9">ver. 6-9</scripRef>. (2.) A use of consolation
to those that were returned, in reference to the many difficulties
they had to struggle with, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.10-Zech.2.12" parsed="|Zech|2|10|2|12" passage="Zec 2:10-12">ver.
10-12</scripRef>. (3.) A use of caution to all not to prescribe to
God, or limit him, but patiently to wait for him, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.13" parsed="|Zech|2|13|0|0" passage="Zec 2:13">ver. 13</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Zech.iii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2" parsed="|Zech|2|0|0|0" passage="Zec 2" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Zech.iii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.1-Zech.2.5" parsed="|Zech|2|1|2|5" passage="Zec 2:1-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Zech.iii-p1.8">
<h4 id="Zech.iii-p1.9">The Vision of the Measuring
Line. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p1.10">b. c.</span> 520.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Zech.iii-p2" shownumber="no">1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and
behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.   2 Then said
I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem,
to see what <i>is</i> the breadth thereof, and what <i>is</i> the
length thereof.   3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me
went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,   4 And
said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem
shall be inhabited <i>as</i> towns without walls for the multitude
of men and cattle therein:   5 For I, saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p2.1">Lord</span>, will be unto her a wall of fire round
about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p3" shownumber="no">This prophet was ordered, in God's name, to
assure the people (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.1.16" parsed="|Zech|1|16|0|0" passage="Zec 1:16"><i>ch.</i> i.
16</scripRef>) that a <i>line should be stretched forth upon
Jerusalem.</i> Now here we have that promise illustrated and
confirmed, that the prophet might deliver that part of his message
to the people with the more clearness and assurance.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p4" shownumber="no">I. He sees, in a vision, a man going to
measure Jerusalem (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.1-Zech.2.2" parsed="|Zech|2|1|2|2" passage="Zec 2:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1,
2</scripRef>): <i>He lifted up his eyes again, and looked.</i> God
had shown him that which was very encouraging to him, (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.1.20" parsed="|Zech|1|20|0|0" passage="Zec 1:20"><i>ch.</i> i. 20</scripRef>), and therefore now
he <i>lifted up his eyes again and looked.</i> Note, The
comfortable sights which by faith we have had of God's goodness
made to pass before us should engage us to lift up our eyes again,
and to search further into the discoveries made to us of the divine
grace; for there is still more to be seen. In the close of the
foregoing chapter he had seen Jerusalem's enemies baffled and
broken, so that now he begins to hope she shall not be ruined. But
that is not enough to make her happy, and therefore that is not all
that is promised. Here is more carpenter's work to be done. When
David had resolved to <i>cut off the horns of the wicked</i> he
engaged likewise that the <i>horns of the righteous</i> should be
<i>exalted,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.75.10" parsed="|Ps|75|10|0|0" passage="Ps 75:10">Ps. lxxv.
10</scripRef>. And so does the <i>Son of David</i> here; for he is
<i>the man,</i> even <i>the man Christ Jesus,</i> whom the prophet
sees <i>with a measuring line in his hand;</i> for he is the master
builder of his church (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.3.3" parsed="|Heb|3|3|0|0" passage="Heb 3:3">Heb. iii.
3</scripRef>), and he builds exactly by line and level. Zechariah
took the boldness to ask him <i>whither he was going</i> and what
he designed to do with that measuring line. And he readily told him
that he was going to <i>measure Jerusalem,</i> to take a particular
account of the dimensions of it each way, that it might be computed
what was necessary for the making of a wall about it, and that it
might appear, by comparing its dimensions with the vast numbers
that should inhabit it, what additions were necessary to be made
for the receiving and containing of them; when multitudes flock to
Jerusalem (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.60.4" parsed="|Isa|60|4|0|0" passage="Isa 60:4">Isa. lx. 4</scripRef>) it
is time for her to <i>enlarge the place of her tent,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.54.2" parsed="|Isa|54|2|0|0" passage="Isa 54:2">Isa. liv. 2</scripRef>. Note, God takes notice
of the extent of his church, and will take care that, when ever so
many guests are brought in to the wedding supper, still there
<i>shall be room,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.14.22" parsed="|Luke|14|22|0|0" passage="Lu 14:22">Luke xiv.
22</scripRef>. <i>In</i> the New Jerusalem, <i>my Father's
house</i> above, <i>there are many mansions.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p5" shownumber="no">II. He is informed that this vision means
well to Jerusalem, that the measuring line he saw was not a <i>line
of confusion</i> (as that <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.34.11" parsed="|Isa|34|11|0|0" passage="Isa 34:11">Isa. xxxiv.
11</scripRef>), not a line to mete out for destruction, as when God
<i>purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion he
stretched out a line</i> (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Lam.2.8" parsed="|Lam|2|8|0|0" passage="La 2:8">Lam. ii.
8</scripRef>); but it is as when he <i>divided the inheritance by
line,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.78.55" parsed="|Ps|78|55|0|0" passage="Ps 78:55">Ps. lxxviii. 55</scripRef>.
The <i>angel that talked with</i> the prophet <i>went forth,</i> as
he designed, <i>to measure Jerusalem,</i> but <i>another angel went
out to meet him,</i> to desire that he would first explain this
vision to the prophet, that it might not occasion him any uneasy
speculations: <i>Run, and speak to this young man</i> (for, it
seems, the prophet entered upon his prophecy when he was young, yet
no man ought to despise his youth when God thus highly honoured
it); he is a young man, not experienced, and may be ready to fear
the worst; therefore bid him hope the best; tell him that Jerusalem
shall be both safe and great, 1. As safe and great as numbers of
men can make it (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.4" parsed="|Zech|2|4|0|0" passage="Zec 2:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>): <i>Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without
walls;</i> the inhabitants of it shall increase, and multiply, and
replenish it to admiration, so that it shall extend itself far
beyond the present dimensions which now there is an account taken
of. The walls of a city, as they defend it, so they straiten and
confine it, and keep its inhabitants from multiplying beyond such a
pitch; but Jerusalem, even when it is walled, to keep off the
enemy, shall be inhabited <i>as towns without walls.</i> The city
shall be in a manner lost in the suburbs, as London is, where the
out-parishes are more populous than those within the walls. So
shall it be with Jerusalem; it shall be extended as freely as if it
had no walls at all, and yet shall be as safe as if it had the
strongest walls, such a <i>multitude of men</i> (which are the best
walls of a city) <i>shall there be therein,</i> and of <i>cattle
too,</i> to be not only food, but wealth too, for those men. Note,
The increase of the numbers of a people is a great blessing, is a
fruit of God's blessing on them and an earnest of further
blessings, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.107.38" parsed="|Ps|107|38|0|0" passage="Ps 107:38">Ps. cvii. 38</scripRef>.
<i>They are multiplied, for he blesses them.</i> 2. As safe and
great as the presence of God can make it, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.5" parsed="|Zech|2|5|0|0" passage="Zec 2:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. (1.) It shall be safe, for God
himself will be a <i>wall of fire round about it.</i> Jerusalem had
no walls about it at this time, but lay naked and exposed;
formerly, when it had walls, the enemies not only broke through
them, but broke them down; but now God will be unto her a wall of
fire. Some think it alludes to shepherds that made fires about
their flocks, or travellers that made fires about their tents in
desert places, to frighten wild beasts from them. God will not only
<i>make a hedge</i> about them as he did about Job (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Job.1.10" parsed="|Job|1|10|0|0" passage="Job 1:10"><i>ch.</i> i. 10</scripRef>), not only make
walls and bulwarks about them, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.8" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.1" parsed="|Isa|26|1|0|0" passage="Isa 26:1">Isa.
xxvi. 1</scripRef> (those may be battered down), not only be as the
mountains round about them, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.9" osisRef="Bible:Ps.125.2" parsed="|Ps|125|2|0|0" passage="Ps 125:2">Ps. cxxv.
2</scripRef> (mountains may be got over), but he will be a wall of
fire round them, which cannot be broken through, nor scaled, nor
undermined, nor the foundations of it sapped, nor can it be
attempted, or approached, without danger to the assailants. God
will not only make a wall of fire about her, but he will himself be
such a wall; for <i>our God is a consuming fire</i> to his and his
church's enemies. He is a wall of fire, not on one side only, but
round about on every side. (2.) It shall be great, for God himself
<i>will be the glory in the midst of it.</i> His temple, his altar,
shall be set up and attended there, and his institutions observed,
and there then shall the tokens of his special presence and favour
be, which will be the glory in the midst of them, will make them
truly admirable in the eyes of all about them. God will have honour
from them, and put honour upon them. Note, Those that have God for
their God have him for their glory; those that have him in the
midst of them have glory in the midst of them, and thence the
church is said to be <i>all glorious within.</i> And those persons
and places that have God to be the glory in the midst of them have
him for a wall of fire round about them, for <i>upon all that glory
there is,</i> and shall be, <i>a defence,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p5.10" osisRef="Bible:Isa.4.5" parsed="|Isa|4|5|0|0" passage="Isa 4:5">Isa. iv. 5</scripRef>. Now all this was fulfilled in part
in Jerusalem, which in process of time became a very flourishing
city, and made a very great figure in those parts of the world,
much beyond what could have been expected, considering how low it
was brought and how long it was ere it recovered itself; but it was
to have its full accomplishment in the gospel-church, which is
extended far, as towns without walls, by the admission of the
Gentiles into it, and which has God, the Son of God, for its prince
and protector.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Zech.iii-p5.11" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.6-Zech.2.9" parsed="|Zech|2|6|2|9" passage="Zec 2:6-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Zech.iii-p5.12">
<h4 id="Zech.iii-p5.13">Zion Invited to Liberty. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p5.14">b. c.</span> 520.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Zech.iii-p6" shownumber="no">6 Ho, ho, <i>come forth,</i> and flee from the
land of the north, saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p6.1">Lord</span>:
for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p6.2">Lord</span>.   7 Deliver thyself,
O Zion, that dwellest <i>with</i> the daughter of Babylon.   8
For thus saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p6.3">Lord</span> of hosts;
After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you:
for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.   9
For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a
spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p6.4">Lord</span> of hosts hath sent me.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p7" shownumber="no">One would have thought that Cyrus's
proclamation, which gave liberty to the captive Jews to return to
their own land, would suffice to bring them all back, and that, as
when Pharaoh gave them leave to quit Egypt and their house of
bondage there, they would not leave a hoof behind; but it seems it
had not that effect. There were about 40,000 whose spirits God
stirred up to go, and they went; but many, perhaps the greater
part, stayed behind. The land of their captivity was to most of them
the land of their nativity; they had taken root there, had gained a
settlement, and many of them a very comfortable one; some perhaps
had got estates and preferments there, and they did not think they
could better themselves by returning to their own land. <i>Patria
est ubicunque bene est—My country is every spot where I feel
myself happy.</i> They had no great affection to their own land,
and apprehended the difficulties in their way to it insuperable.
This proceeded from a bad cause—a distrust of the power and
promise of God, a love of ease and worldly wealth, and an
indifference to the religion of their country and to the God of
Israel himself; and it had a bad effect, for it was a tacit censure
of those as foolish, rash, and given to change, that did return,
and a weakening of their hands in the work of God. Such as these
could not sing (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.137.1-Ps.137.9" parsed="|Ps|137|1|137|9" passage="Ps 137:1-9">Ps.
cxxxvii.</scripRef>) in their captivity, for they had <i>forgotten
thee, O Jerusalem!</i> and were so far from preferring thee before
their chief joy that they preferred any joy before thee. Here is
therefore another proclamation issued out by the God of Israel,
strictly charging and commanding all his free-born subjects,
wherever they were dispersed, speedily to return into their own
land and render themselves at their respective posts there. They
are loudly summoned (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.6" parsed="|Zech|2|6|0|0" passage="Zec 2:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>): <i>Ho! ho! come forth, and flee from the land of the
north, saith the Lord.</i> This fitly follows upon the promise of
the rebuilding and enlarging of Jerusalem. If God will build it for
them and their comfort, they must come and inhabit it for him and
his glory, and not continue sneaking in Babylon. Note, The promises
and privileges with which God's people are blessed should engage
us, whatever it cost us, to join ourselves to them and <i>cast in
our lot among them.</i> When Zion is enlarged, to make room for all
God's Israel, it is the greatest madness imaginable for any of them
to stay in Babylon. The captivity of a sinful state is by no means
to be continued in, though a man be ever so easy upon temporal
accounts. No: <i>Come forth and flee</i> with all speed, and lose
no time. <i>Escape for thy life; look not behind thee.</i> To
induce them to hasten their return, let them consider, 1. They are
now dispersed, and are concerned to incorporate themselves for
their mutual common defence (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.6" parsed="|Zech|2|6|0|0" passage="Zec 2:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>): "<i>I have spread you abroad as the four winds of
heaven,</i> sent some into one corner of the world and some into
another; this has been your condition a long time, and therefore
you should now think of coming together again, to help one
another." God owns that his scattering them was in wrath, and
therefore they must take this invitation as a token of God's being
willing to be reconciled to them again, so that they kicked at his
kindness in refusing to accept the call. 2. They are now in
bondage, and are concerned to assert their own liberty; and
therefore, "<i>Deliver thyself, O Zion!</i> flee from the
oppressor, and make the best of thy way. Let us see some such bold
efforts and struggles to help thyself as become the generous
gracious seed of Abraham." <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.7" parsed="|Zech|2|7|0|0" passage="Zec 2:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. Note, When Christ has proclaimed that deliverance to
the captives which he has himself wrought out it then concerns each
of us to <i>deliver ourselves,</i> to <i>loose ourselves from the
bands of our necks</i> (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.52.2" parsed="|Isa|52|2|0|0" passage="Isa 52:2">Isa. lii.
2</scripRef>), and, since we are under grace, to resolve that
<i>sin shall not have dominion over us,</i> Zion herself is here
said to <i>dwell with the daughter of Babylon,</i> because many of
the <i>precious sons of Zion</i> dwelt there, and where the people
of God are there the church of God is, for it is not tied to
places. Now it is not fit that Zion should dwell with the daughter
of Babylon; what communion can light have with darkness? Zion will
be in danger of partaking with the daughter of Babylon both <i>in
her sins</i> and <i>in her plagues;</i> and therefore, "<i>Come out
of her, my people,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Rev.18.4" parsed="|Rev|18|4|0|0" passage="Re 18:4">Rev. xviii.
4</scripRef>. <i>Deliver thyself, O Zion!</i> by a speedy return to
thy own land, and do not destroy thyself by continuing in that
polluted devoted land." Those that would be found among the
generation of God's children must <i>save themselves from</i> the
<i>untoward generation</i> of this world; it was St. Peter's charge
to his new converts, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.7" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2.40" parsed="|Acts|2|40|0|0" passage="Ac 2:40">Acts ii.
40</scripRef>. 3. They have seemed to be forsaken and forgotten of
God, but God will now make it to appear that he espouses their
cause and will plead it with jealousy, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.8" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.8-Zech.2.9" parsed="|Zech|2|8|2|9" passage="Zec 2:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8, 9</scripRef>. It was a discouragement to
those who remained in Babylon to hear of the difficulties and
oppositions which their brethren met with that had returned, by
which they were still in danger of being crushed and overpowered.
"And we might as well sit still" (think they) "as rise up and
fall." In answer to this objection, the <i>angel that talked
with</i> the prophet (that is, Jesus Christ) tells him what he had
commission to do for their protection and the perfecting of their
salvation, and herein he has an eye to the great redemption which,
in the fulness of time, he was to be the author of. Christ, who is
Jehovah, and the <i>Lord of hosts,</i> of all the hosts of heaven
and earth, in both which he has a sovereign power, <i>says, He</i>
(that is, the Father) <i>has sent me.</i> Note, What Jesus has
done, and does, for his church against his enemies, he was sent and
commissioned by the Father to do. With great satisfaction he often
speaks of <i>the Father that sent him.</i> (1.) He is sent <i>after
the glory.</i> After the glorious beginning of their deliverance he
is sent to perfect it, for he is the finisher of that work which he
is the author of. Christ is sent, in the first place, to the nation
and people of the Jews, <i>to whom pertained the glory,</i>
<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.9" osisRef="Bible:Rom.9.4" parsed="|Rom|9|4|0|0" passage="Ro 9:4">Rom. ix. 4</scripRef>. And he was
himself the <i>glory of his people Israel.</i> But <i>after the
glory,</i> after his care of them, he is <i>sent to the nations, to
be a light to lighten the Gentiles,</i> by the power of his gospel
to captivate them, and bring them, and every high thought among
them, into obedience to himself. (2.) He is <i>sent to the nations
that spoiled them,</i> to take vengeance on them for the wrongs
done to Zion, when the year of his redeemed comes and the <i>year
of recompences for the controversy of Zion,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.10" osisRef="Bible:Isa.34.8" parsed="|Isa|34|8|0|0" passage="Isa 34:8">Isa. xxxiv. 8</scripRef>. He is sent to <i>shake his
hand upon them,</i> to lift up his mighty hand against them and to
lay upon them his heavy hand, to <i>bruise them with a rod of
iron</i> and <i>dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel,</i>
<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.11" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.9" parsed="|Ps|2|9|0|0" passage="Ps 2:9">Ps. ii. 9</scripRef>. Some think it
intimates how easily God can subdue and humble them with the turn
of his hand; it is but shaking his hand over them and the work is
done. <i>They shall be a spoil to their servants,</i> shall be
enslaved to those whom they had enslaved, and be plundered by those
whom they had plundered. In Esther's time this was fulfilled, when
the <i>Jews had rule over those that hated them</i> (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.12" osisRef="Bible:Esth.9.1" parsed="|Esth|9|1|0|0" passage="Es 9:1">Esth. ix. 1</scripRef>), and often in the time of
the Maccabees. The promise is further fulfilled in Christ's victory
over our spiritual enemies, his <i>spoiling principalities and
powers and making a show of them openly,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.13" osisRef="Bible:Col.2.15" parsed="|Col|2|15|0|0" passage="Col 2:15">Col. ii. 15</scripRef>. And it is still in force to the
gospel-church. Christ will reckon with all that are enemies to it,
and sooner or later will make them <i>his footstool,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.14" osisRef="Bible:Ps.110.1 Bible:Rev.3.9" parsed="|Ps|110|1|0|0;|Rev|3|9|0|0" passage="Ps 110:1,Re 3:9">Ps. cx. 1; Rev. iii. 9</scripRef>. (3.)
What he will do for his church shall be an evident proof of God's
tender care of it and affection to it: <i>He that touches you
touches the apple of his eye.</i> This is a high expression of
God's love to his church. By his resentment of the injuries done to
her it appears how dear she is to him, how he interests himself in
all her interests, and takes what is done against her, not only as
done against himself, but as done against the very apple of his
eye, the tenderest part, which nature has made very fine, has put a
double guard upon, and taught us to be in a special manner careful
of, and which the least touch is a great offence to. This
encourages the people of God to pray with David (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.15" osisRef="Bible:Ps.17.8" parsed="|Ps|17|8|0|0" passage="Ps 17:8">Ps. xvii. 8</scripRef>), <i>Keep me as the apple of thy
eye;</i> and engages them to do as Solomon directs (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p7.16" osisRef="Bible:Prov.7.2" parsed="|Prov|7|2|0|0" passage="Pr 7:2">Prov. vii. 2</scripRef>), to <i>keep his law as
the apple of their eye.</i> Some understand it thus: "<i>He that
touches you touches the apple of his own eye;</i> whoever do you
any injury will prove, in the issue, to have done the greatest
injury to themselves." (4.) It shall be an evident proof of
Christ's mission: <i>You shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent
me</i> to be the protector of his church, that the promises made to
the church are yea and amen in him. Christ's victory over our
spiritual enemies proves that the Father sent him and was with
him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Zech.iii-p7.17" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.10-Zech.2.13" parsed="|Zech|2|10|2|13" passage="Zec 2:10-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Zech.iii-p7.18">
<h4 id="Zech.iii-p7.19">Zion's Prosperity Predicted. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p7.20">b. c.</span> 520.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Zech.iii-p8" shownumber="no">10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for,
lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p8.1">Lord</span>.   11 And many nations shall be
joined to the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p8.2">Lord</span> in that day, and
shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou
shalt know that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p8.3">Lord</span> of hosts
hath sent me unto thee.   12 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p8.4">Lord</span> shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy
land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.   13 Be silent, O all
flesh, before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Zech.iii-p8.5">Lord</span>: for he is
raised up out of his holy habitation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p9" shownumber="no">Here is, I. Joy proclaimed to the church of
God, to the <i>daughter of Zion,</i> that had separated herself
from the <i>daughter of Babylon.</i> The Jews that had returned
were in distress and danger, their enemies in the neighbourhood
were spiteful against them, their friends that remained in Babylon
were cool towards them, shy of them, and declined coming in to
their assistance; and yet they are directed to <i>sing,</i> and to
<i>rejoice</i> even in tribulation. Note, Those that have recovered
their purity, and integrity, and spiritual liberty, though they
have not yet recovered their outward prosperity, have reason to
sing and rejoice, to give glory to God and take comfort to
themselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p10" shownumber="no">I. God will have a people among them. If
their brethren in Babylon will not come to them, those of other
nations shall, and shall replenish Jerusalem and the cities of
Judah: <i>Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day</i>
that are now at a distance from him and strangers to him. The
Jewish nation, after the captivity, multiplied very much, by the
accession of proselytes to it, that were naturalized, and were
entitled to all the privileges of native Israelites, and perhaps
they were equal in number; and therefore Paul mentions it as an
honour to him which many Jews had not, that he was of <i>the tribe
of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.5" parsed="|Phil|3|5|0|0" passage="Php 3:5">Phil. iii. 5</scripRef>. And this was an earnest of the
bringing in of the Gentiles into the christian church and in that
this and other similar promises were to have their full
accomplishment. It was therefore strange that that should be so
great an offence to the Jews, as we find it was in the apostles'
times, which was promised them as a blessing in the prophets'
times—that <i>many nations</i> should be <i>joined to the
Lord.</i> And, as there had been one law, so should there be one
gospel <i>for the stranger and for those born in the land;</i>
whatever nation they come from, when they <i>join themselves to the
Lord, they shall be my people,</i> as dear to God as ever Israel
had been. Note, God will own those for his people who with purpose
of heart join themselves to him; and, when many do so, we ought to
look upon them, not with a jealous eye, but with a joyful one.
Angels rejoice, and therefore so should the daughter of Zion, when
many nations are joined to the Lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p11" shownumber="no">II. They shall have his presence among
them: <i>Sing and rejoice, for I come.</i> Those to whom God comes
have reason to rejoice, for he will be to them their chief joy. God
will come, not to make them a visit only, but to reside with them
and preside over them: <i>I will dwell in the midst of thee</i>
(<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.10" parsed="|Zech|2|10|0|0" passage="Zec 2:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), and it is
repeated (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.11" parsed="|Zech|2|11|0|0" passage="Zec 2:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>),
because it was to have a double accomplishment, 1. In the
dedication of the temple, in their regularly observing all God's
institutions there and God's owning them therein. Those have God
<i>dwelling in the midst of them</i> that have his ordinances
administered in their purity, and a divine power going along with
them; with these tokens of God's presence the Jewish church was
blessed, after this, as much as ever. 2. In the incarnation of
Christ. He that here promises to dwell among them is that <i>Lord
whom the Lord of hosts has sent</i> (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.11" parsed="|Zech|2|11|0|0" passage="Zec 2:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), and therefore must be the
<i>Lord Jesus,</i> who came and dwelt in the midst of the Jewish
nation, the eternal <i>Word,</i> that was <i>made flesh, and dwelt
among us.</i> This was the great honour reserved for that nation in
its last days; the promise of it effectually secured their
continuance till it was accomplished. They could not be destroyed
while that blessing was in them; and the prospect of it, according
to the promise, was the great support and comfort of those who
<i>looked for redemption in Jerusalem.</i> It is promised that when
Christ comes and dwells among them <i>they shall know that the Lord
of hosts has sent him;</i> all that were Israelites indeed were
made to know it; sufficient proofs were given of it by the miracles
Christ wrought, so that they might have known it, and yet there
were those that perished in ignorance and unbelief, that would not
know it, for, <i>if they had known</i> it, <i>they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p12" shownumber="no">III. They shall have all their ancient
dignities and privileges restored to them again, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.12" parsed="|Zech|2|12|0|0" passage="Zec 2:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. 1. Canaan shall be a holy land
again, not polluted by sin as it had been formerly, not profaned by
the enemies as it had been of late; it shall be an enclosure again,
and not laid in common. 2. Judah shall be in this holy land, shall
inhabit it, and enjoy the comfort of it, and no longer be lost and
scattered in Babylon. 3. Judah shall be God's portion, which he
will delight in, which shall be dear to him, by which he will be
served, and in which he will be glorified. <i>The Lord's portion is
his people.</i> 4. God will <i>inherit Judah</i> again as <i>his
portion,</i> will claim his interest, and recover the possession
out of the hands of those that had invaded his right. He will
protect his people and govern them as a man does his inheritance,
and will be at home among them. 5. He will <i>choose Jerusalem
again,</i> as he had chosen it formerly, to <i>put his name
there;</i> he will renew and confirm the choice, and continue it a
chosen place, till it must resign its honours to the Jerusalem that
is from above. Though the election seemed to be set aside for a
while, yet it <i>shall obtain.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Zech.iii-p13" shownumber="no">II. Here is silence proclaimed to all the
world besides, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Zech.2.13" parsed="|Zech|2|13|0|0" passage="Zec 2:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>. The daughter of Zion must sing, but <i>all flesh</i>
must <i>be silent.</i> Observe here, 1. A very awful description of
God's appearances for the relief of his people. He is <i>raised up
out of his holy habitation;</i> as a man out of sleep (<scripRef id="Zech.iii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.44.23 Bible:Ps.78.65" parsed="|Ps|44|23|0|0;|Ps|78|65|0|0" passage="Ps 44:23,78:65">Ps. xliv. 23; lxxviii. 65</scripRef>), or
as a man entering with resolution upon a business that he will go
through with. Heaven is his holy habitation above; thence we must
expect him to appear, <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.64.1" parsed="|Isa|64|1|0|0" passage="Isa 64:1">Isa. lxiv.
1</scripRef>. His temple is so in this lower world; thence from
<i>between the cherubim</i> he will <i>shine forth,</i> <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.80.1" parsed="|Ps|80|1|0|0" passage="Ps 80:1">Ps. lxxx. 1</scripRef>. He is about to do
something unusual, unexpected, and very surprising, and to plead
his people's cause, which had long seemed neglected. 2. A
seasonable caution and direction at such a time: <i>Be silent, O
all flesh! before the Lord</i>—before Christ and his grace (let
not flesh object against the methods he takes)—before God and his
providence; the enemies of the church shall be silenced; all
iniquity shall stop her mouth. The friends of the church also must
be silent. Leave it to God to take his own way, and neither
prescribe to him what he should do nor quarrel with him whatever he
does. <i>Be still, and know that he is God. Stand still, and see
his salvation.</i> See <scripRef id="Zech.iii-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Hab.2.20 Bible:Zeph.1.7" parsed="|Hab|2|20|0|0;|Zeph|1|7|0|0" passage="Hab 2:20,Zep 1:7">Hab.
ii. 20; Zeph. i. 7</scripRef>. Silently acquiesce in his holy will,
and patiently wait the issue, as those who are assured that when
God is <i>raised up out of his holy habitation</i> he will not
retreat, nor sit down again, till he has accomplished his whole
work.</p>
</div></div2>