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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>Z E C H A R I A H.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The work of ministers is rightly to divide the word of truth and to
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give every one his portion. So the prophet is here instructed to do, in
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the further answer he gives to the case of conscience proposed about
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continuing the public fasts. His answer, in the foregoing chapter, is
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by way of reproof to those that were disobedient and would not obey the
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truth. But here he is ordered to change his voice, and to speak by way
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of encouragement to the willing and obedient. Here are two words from
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the Lord of hosts, and they are both good words and comfortable words.
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In the former of these messages
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:1">ver. 1</A>)
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God promises that Jerusalem shall be restored, reformed, replenished
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:2-8">ver. 2-8</A>),
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that the country shall be rich, and the affairs of the nation shall be
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successful, their reputation retrieved, and their state in all respects
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the reverse of what it had been for many years past
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:9-15">ver. 9-15</A>);
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he then exhorts them to reform what was amiss among them, that they
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might be ready for these favours designed them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:16,17">ver. 16, 17</A>).
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In the latter of these messages
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:18">ver. 18</A>)
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he promises that their fasts should be superseded by the return of
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mercy
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:19">ver. 19</A>),
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and that thereupon they should be replenished, enriched, and
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strengthened, by the accession of foreigners to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:20-23">ver. 20-23</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Zec8_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zec8_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zec8_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zec8_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zec8_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zec8_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zec8_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zec8_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Encouraging Prospects.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 517.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Again the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts came <I>to me,</I> saying,
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2 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with
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great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
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3 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell
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in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city
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of truth; and the mountain of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts the holy
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mountain.
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4 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; There shall yet old men and old
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women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his
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staff in his hand for very age.
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5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls
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playing in the streets thereof.
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6 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes
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of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be
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marvellous in mine eyes? saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts.
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7 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; Behold, I will save my people
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from the east country, and from the west country;
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8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of
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Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God,
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in truth and in righteousness.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The prophet, in his foregoing discourses, had left his hearers under a
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high charge of guilt and a deep sense of wrath; he had left them in a
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melancholy view of the desolations of their pleasant land, which was
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the effect of their fathers' disobedience; but because he designed to
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bring them to repentance, not to drive them to despair, he here sets
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before them the great things God had in store for them, encouraging
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them hereby to hope that their case of conscience would shortly
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determine itself and that God's providence would as loudly call them to
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<I>joy and gladness</I> as ever it called them to <I>fasting and
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mourning.</I> It is here promised,</P>
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<P>
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I. That God will appear for Jerusalem, and will espouse and plead her
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cause.
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1. He will be revenged on Zion's enemies
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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<I>I was jealous for Zion,</I> or <I>of</I> Zion; that is, "I have of
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late been heartily concerned for her honour and interests, <I>with
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great jealousy.</I> The great wrath that was against her
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+7:12"><I>ch.</I> vii. 12</A>)
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now turns against her adversaries. I am now <I>jealous for her with
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great fury,</I> and can no more bear to have her abused in her
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afflictions than I could bear to be abused by her provocations." This
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he had said before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+1:14,15"><I>ch.</I> i. 14, 15</A>),
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that they might promise themselves as much from the power of his anger,
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when it was turned for them, as they had felt from it when it was
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against them. The sins of Zion were her worst enemies, and had done her
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the most mischief; and therefore God, in his jealousy for her honour
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and comfort, will <I>take away her sins,</I> and then, whatever other
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enemies injured her, it was at their peril.
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2. He will be resident in Zion's palaces
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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"<I>I have returned to Zion,</I> after I had seemed so long to stand at
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a distance, and I will again <I>dwell in the midst of Jerusalem</I> as
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formerly." This secures to them the tokens of his presence in his
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ordinances and the instances of his favour in his providences.</P>
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<P>
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II. That there shall be a wonderful reformation in Jerusalem, and
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religion, in the power of it, shall prevail and flourish there.
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"<I>Jerusalem,</I> that has dealt treacherously both with God and man,
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shall become so famous for fidelity and honesty that it <I>shall be
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called</I> and known by the name of <I>a city of truth,</I> and the
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inhabitants of it shall be called <I>children that will not lie.</I>
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The <I>faithful city</I> has become a <I>harlot</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+1:21">Isa. i. 21</A>),
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but shall now become a <I>faithful city</I> again, faithful to the
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<I>God of Israel</I> and to the worship of him only." This was
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fulfilled; for the Jews after the captivity, though there was much
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amiss among them, were never guilty of idolatry. Jerusalem shall be
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called <I>the mountain of the Lord of hosts,</I> owning him and owned
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by him, and therefore <I>the holy mountain,</I> cleared from idols and
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consecrated to God, and not, as it had been, the <I>mount of
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corruption,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+23:13">2 Kings xxiii. 13</A>.
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Note, The city of God ought to be <I>a city of truth</I> and the
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<I>mountain of the Lord of hosts a holy mountain.</I> Those that
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profess religion, and relation to God, must study to adorn their
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profession by all instances of godliness and honesty.</P>
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<P>
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III. That there shall be in Jerusalem a great increase of people, and
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all the marks and tokens of a profound tranquillity, When it has become
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a <I>city of truth</I> and a <I>mountain of holiness,</I> it is then
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peaceable and prosperous, and every thing in it looks bright and
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pleasant.
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1. You may look with pleasure upon the generation that is going off the
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stage, and see them fairly quitting it in the ordinary course of
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nature, and not driven off from it by war, famine, or pestilence
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>In the streets of Jerusalem,</I> that had been filled with the
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bodies of the slain, or deserted and left desolate, shall now dwell
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<I>old men</I> and <I>old women,</I> who have not been cut off by
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untimely deaths (either through their own intemperance or God's
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vengeance), but have the even thread of their days spun out to a full
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length; they shall feel no distemper but the decay of nature, and go to
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their grave in a full age, as a <I>shock of corn in his season.</I>
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They shall have <I>every one his staff in his hand, for very age,</I>
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to support him, as Jacob, who <I>worshipped, leaning upon the top of
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his staff,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:21">Heb. xi. 21</A>.
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Old age needs a support, and should not be ashamed to use it, but
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should furnish itself with divine graces, which will be the strength of
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the heart and a better support than a staff in the hand. Note, The
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hoary head, as it is a crown of glory to those that wear it, so it is
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to the places where they live. It is a graceful thing to a city to see
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abundance of old people in it; it is a sign, not only of the
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healthfulness of the air, but of the prevalence of virtue and the
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suppression and banishment of those many vices which cut off the number
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of men's months in the midst; it is a sign, not only that the climate
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is temperate, but that the people are so.
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2. You may look with as much pleasure upon the generation that is
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rising up in their room
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in
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the streets.</I> This intimates,
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(1.) That they shall be blessed with a multitude of children; their
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families shall increase and multiply, and replenish the city, which was
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an early product of the divine blessing,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+1:28">Gen. i. 28</A>.
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Happy the man, happy the nation, whose quiver is full of these arrows!
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They shall have of both sexes, <I>boys and girls,</I> in whom their
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families shall afterwards be joined, and another generation raised up.
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(2.) That their children shall be healthful, and strong, and active;
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their boys and girls shall not lie sick in bed, or sit pining in the
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corner, but (which is a pleasant sight to parents) shall be hearty and
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cheerful, and play in the streets. It is their pleasant playing age;
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let us not grudge it to them; much good may it do them and no harm.
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<I>Evil days</I> will come time enough, and <I>years</I> of which they
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will <I>say</I> that they have <I>no pleasure in them,</I> in
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consideration of which they are concerned not to spend all their time
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in play, but to remember their Creator.
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(3.) That they shall have great plenty, meat enough for all their
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mouths. In time of famine we find the children <I>swooning as the
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wounded, in the streets of the city,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+2:11,12">Lam. ii. 11, 12</A>.
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If they are playing in the streets, it is a good sign that they want
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for nothing.
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(4.) That they shall not be terrified with the alarms of war, but enjoy
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a perfect security. There shall be <I>no breaking</I> in of invaders,
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<I>no going out</I> of deserters, <I>no complaining in the streets</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+144:14">Ps. cxliv. 14</A>);
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for, when there is playing in the streets, it is a sign that there is
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little care or fear there. Time was when the enemy hunted their steps
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so closely that they could not go in their streets
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=La+4:18">Lam. iv. 18</A>),
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but now they shall <I>play in the streets</I> and fear no evil.
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(5.) That they shall have love and peace among themselves. The boys and
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girls shall not be fighting in the streets, as sometimes in cities that
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are divided into factions and parties the children soon imbibe and
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express the mutual resentments of the parents; but they shall be
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innocently and lovingly <I>playing in the streets,</I> not devouring,
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but diverting, one another.
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(6.) That the sports and diversions used shall be all harmless and
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inoffensive; the boys and girls shall have no other play than what they
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are willing that persons should see <I>in the streets,</I> no play that
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seeks corners, no playing the fool, or playing the wanton, for it is
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the mountain of the Lord, the <I>holy mountain,</I> but honest and
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modest recreations, which they have no reason to be ashamed of.
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(7.) That childish youthful sports shall be confined to the age of
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childhood and youth. It is pleasing to see the <I>boys and girls
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playing in the streets,</I> but it is ill-favoured to see men and women
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playing there, who should fill up their time with work and business. It
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is well enough for <I>children</I> to be <I>sitting in the
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market-place,</I> crossing questions
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+11:16,17">Matt. xi. 16, 17</A>),
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but it is no way fit that men, who are able to <I>work in the
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vineyard,</I> should <I>stand all the day idle</I> there,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+20:3">Matt. xx. 3</A>.</P>
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<P>
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IV. That the scattered Israelites shall be brought together again from
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all parts whither they were dispersed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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"<I>I will save my people from the east country, and from the west;</I>
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I will save them from being lost, or losing themselves, in Babylon, or
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in Egypt, or in any other country whither they were driven." They shall
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neither be detained by the nations among whom they sojourn nor shall
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they incorporate with them; but I will <I>save them,</I> will separate
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them, and will bring them to their own land again; by the prosperity of
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their land I will invite them back, and at the same time incline them
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to return; and <I>they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem,</I> shall
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choose to dwell there, because it is the holy city, though, upon many
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other accounts, it was more eligible to dwell in the country; and
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therefore we find
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+11:2">Neh. xi. 2</A>)
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that <I>the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves
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to dwell at Jerusalem.</I></P>
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<P>
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V. That God would renew his covenant with them, would be faithful to
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them and make them so to him: <I>They shall be my people and I will be
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their God.</I> That is the foundation and crown of all these promises,
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and is inclusive of all happiness. They shall obey God's laws, and God
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will secure and advance all their interests. This contract shall be
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made, shall be new-made, <I>in truth</I> and <I>in righteousness.</I>
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Some think that the former denotes God's part of the covenant (he will
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be <I>their God in truth,</I> he will make good all his promises of
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favour to them) and the latter man's part of the covenant--they shall be
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his people in <I>righteousness,</I> they shall be a righteous people
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and shall abound in the <I>fruits of righteousness,</I> and shall not,
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as they have done, deal treacherously and unjustly with their God. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+2:19,20">Hos. ii. 19, 20</A>.
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God will never leave nor forsake them in a way of mercy, as he has
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promised them; and they shall never leave nor forsake him in a way of
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duty, as they have promised him. These promises were fulfilled in the
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flourishing state of the Jewish church, for some ages, between the
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captivity and Christ's time; they were to have a further and a fuller
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accomplishment in the gospel-church, that <I>heavenly Jerusalem,</I>
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which is from above, is free, and is the <I>mother of us all;</I> but
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the fullest accomplishment of all will be in the future state.</P>
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<P>
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All these precious promises are here ratified, and the doubts of God's
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people silenced, with that question
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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"<I>If it be marvellous in the eyes of this people, should it be
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marvellous in my eyes?</I> If it seem unlikely to you that ever
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Jerusalem should be thus repaired, should be thus replenished, is it
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therefore impossible with God?" The <I>remnant of this people</I> (and
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God's people in this world are but a remnant), being few and feeble,
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thought all this was too good news to be true, especially <I>in these
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days,</I> these difficult days, these cloudy and dark days. Considering
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how bad the times are, it is highly improbable, it is morally
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impossible, they should ever come to be so good as the prophet speaks.
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How can these things be? How can dry bones live? But should it
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therefore appear so in the eyes of God? Note, We do both God and
|
|
ourselves a deal of wrong if we think that, when we are
|
|
<I>nonplussed,</I> he is so, and that he cannot get over the
|
|
difficulties which to us seem insuperable. <I>With men this is
|
|
impossible; but with God all things are possible;</I> so far are God's
|
|
thoughts and ways above ours.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Zec8_17"> </A>
|
|
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Encouraging Prospects.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 517.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>9 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye
|
|
that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets,
|
|
which <I>were</I> in the day <I>that</I> the foundation of the house of the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.
|
|
10 For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any
|
|
hire for beast; neither <I>was there any</I> peace to him that went
|
|
out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every
|
|
one against his neighbour.
|
|
11 But now I <I>will</I> not <I>be</I> unto the residue of this people as
|
|
in the former days, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts.
|
|
12 For the seed <I>shall be</I> 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 <I>things.</I>
|
|
13 And it shall come to pass, <I>that</I> as ye were a curse among
|
|
the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I
|
|
save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, <I>but</I> let your
|
|
hands be strong.
|
|
14 For thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; As I thought to punish
|
|
you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of
|
|
hosts, and I repented not:
|
|
15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto
|
|
Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.
|
|
16 These <I>are</I> the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man
|
|
the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and
|
|
peace in your gates:
|
|
17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his
|
|
neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these <I>are things</I>
|
|
that I hate, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
God, by the prophet, here gives further assurances of the mercy he had
|
|
in store for Judah and Jerusalem. Here is line upon line for their
|
|
comfort, as before there was for their conviction. These verses contain
|
|
strong encouragements with reference to the difficulties they now
|
|
laboured under. And we may observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Who they were to whom these encouragements did belong--to those who,
|
|
in obedience to the call of God by his prophets, applied in good
|
|
earnest to the building of the temple
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Let your hands be strong,</I> that are busy at work for God, <I>you
|
|
that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets,</I>
|
|
and are not disobedient to them <I>as your fathers were,</I> in the
|
|
former days, to the words of those prophets that were sent to them. You
|
|
may take the comfort of the promises, and shall have the benefit of
|
|
them, who have obeyed the precepts given you <I>in the day that the
|
|
foundation of the house of the Lord was laid,</I> when you were told
|
|
that, having begun with it, you must go on, <I>that the temple might be
|
|
built;</I> God told you that you must go on with it, and you have
|
|
laboured hard at it for some time, in obedience to the heavenly vision.
|
|
Now you are those whose hands must be strengthened and whose hearts
|
|
must be comforted, with these precious promises; to you is the word of
|
|
this consolation sent." Note, Those, and those only, that are employed
|
|
for God, may expect to be encouraged by him; those who lay their hands
|
|
to the plough of duty shall have them strengthened with the promises of
|
|
mercy; and those who avoid their fathers' faults, not only cut off the
|
|
entail of the curse, but have it turned into a blessing.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. What the discouragements were which they had hitherto laboured
|
|
under,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
These are mentioned as a foil to the blessings God was now about to
|
|
bestow upon them, to make them appear the more strange, to the glory of
|
|
God, and the more sweet, to their comfort. The truth was the times had
|
|
long been very bad, and the calamities and difficulties of them were
|
|
many and great.
|
|
|
|
1. Trade was dead; there was nothing to be done and therefore nothing
|
|
to be got. <I>Before these days</I> of reformation began <I>there was
|
|
no hire for man, nor any hire for beasts.</I> The fruits of the earth
|
|
(though it had long lain fallow, and therefore, one would think, should
|
|
have been the more fertile) were thin and poor, so that the husbandman
|
|
had no occasion to hire harvest people to reap his corn, nor teams to
|
|
carry it home, for he could be scarcely said to have any. Merchants had
|
|
no goods to import or export, so that they needed not to hire either
|
|
men or beasts; hence the poor people, who lived by their labour, had no
|
|
way of getting bread for themselves and their families.
|
|
|
|
2. Travelling was dangerous, so that all commerce both by sea and land
|
|
was cut off; nay, none durst stir abroad so much as to visit their
|
|
friends, for <I>their was no peace to him that went out, or came in,
|
|
because of the affliction.</I> The Samaritans, and Ammonites, and their
|
|
other evil neighbours, made inroads upon them in small parties, and
|
|
seized all they could lay their hands on; the roads were infested with
|
|
highwaymen, and both city and country with housebreakers; so that
|
|
neither men's persons nor their goods were safe at home or abroad.
|
|
|
|
3. There was no such thing as friendship or good neighbourship among
|
|
them: <I>I set all men every one against his neighbour.</I> In this
|
|
there was a great deal of sin, for these wars and fightings came from
|
|
men's lust, and this God was not the author of; but there was in it a
|
|
great deal of misery also, and so God was in it a just avenger of their
|
|
disobedience to him; because they were of an <I>evil spirit</I> towards
|
|
him, a spirit of contradiction to his laws, God sent among them an evil
|
|
spirit, to make them vexatious one to another. Those that throw off the
|
|
love of God forfeit the comfort of brotherly love.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. What encouragement they shall now have to proceed in the good work
|
|
they are about, and to hope that it shall yet be well with them: "Thus
|
|
and thus you have been harassed and afflicted, but now God will change
|
|
his way towards you,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now that you return to your duty God will comfort you according to the
|
|
time that he has afflicted you; the ebbing tide shall flow again."
|
|
|
|
1. God will not proceed in his controversy with them; <I>I will not be
|
|
to them as in the former days.</I> Note, It is with us well or ill
|
|
according as God is to us; for every creature is that to us which he
|
|
makes it to be. And, if we walk not contrary to God as in the former
|
|
days, he will not walk contrary to us as in the former days; for it is
|
|
only <I>with the froward</I> that he will <I>wrestle.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. They shall have great plenty and abundance of all goods things
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The seed</I> sown <I>shall be prosperous,</I> and yield a great
|
|
increase; <I>the vine shall give her fruit,</I> which makes glad the
|
|
heart, and <I>the ground</I> its products, which strengthen the heart;
|
|
they shall have all they can desire, not only for necessity, but for
|
|
ornament and delight. The <I>heavens shall give their dew,</I> without
|
|
which the earth would not yield her increase, which is a constant
|
|
intimation to us of the beneficence of the God of heaven to men on
|
|
earth and of their dependence on him. It is said of a <I>sweeping
|
|
rain</I> that it <I>leaves no food</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+28:3">Prov. xxviii. 3</A>);
|
|
|
|
but here the <I>gentle dew</I> waters the earth, that it may give
|
|
<I>seed to the sower and bread to the eater.</I> And thus God will
|
|
<I>cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.</I>
|
|
They are but a <I>remnant,</I> a <I>residue,</I> very few, one would
|
|
think scarcely worth looking after; but, now that they are at work for
|
|
God, he will take care that they shall want nothing which is fit for
|
|
them. This confirms what the prophet's colleague had said, a little
|
|
before
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+2:16,19">Hag. ii. 16, 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>From this day will I bless you.</I> Note, God's people, that serve
|
|
him faithfully, have great possessions. "<I>All</I> is yours, for you
|
|
are Christ's."
|
|
|
|
3. They shall recover their credit among their neighbours
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>You were a curse among the heathen.</I> Every one censured and
|
|
condemned them, spoke ill of them, and wished ill to them, upon the
|
|
account of the great disgrace that they were under; some think that
|
|
they were made a form of execration, so that if a man would load his
|
|
enemy with the heaviest curse he would say, <I>God make thee like a
|
|
Jew!</I> "But now, <I>I will save you, and you shall be a blessing.</I>
|
|
Your restoration shall be as much taken notice of to your honour as
|
|
ever your desolation and dispersion were to your reproach; you shall be
|
|
applauded and admired as much as ever you were vilified and run down,
|
|
shall be courted and caressed as much as ever you were slighted and
|
|
abandoned." Most men smile or frown upon their neighbours according as
|
|
Providence smiles or frowns upon them; but those whom God plainly
|
|
blesses as his own, shows favour to and puts honour upon, we ought also
|
|
to respect and be kind to. The blessed of the Lord are the blessing of
|
|
the land, and should be so accounted by us. This is here promised to
|
|
the house both of Israel and Judah; for many of the ten tribes returned
|
|
out of captivity with the two tribes, and shared with them in those
|
|
blessings; and, it is probable, besides what came at first, many, very
|
|
many, flocked to them afterwards, when they saw their affairs take this
|
|
turn.
|
|
|
|
4. God himself will determine to do them good,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
All their comforts take rise from the thoughts of the love that God had
|
|
towards them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:11">Jer. xxix. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Compare these promises with the former threatenings.
|
|
|
|
(1.) When they <I>provoked him</I> to anger with <I>their sins,</I> he
|
|
said that he would <I>punish them,</I> and so he did; it was his
|
|
declared purpose to bring destroying judgments upon them, and, because
|
|
they repented not of their rebellions against him, he repented not of
|
|
his threatenings against them, but let the sentence of the law take its
|
|
course. Note, God's punishing sinners is never a sudden and hasty
|
|
resolve, but is always the product of thought, and there is a counsel
|
|
in that part of the will of God. If the sinner turn not, God will not
|
|
turn.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Now that they pleased him with their services; he said that he
|
|
would <I>do them good;</I> and will he not be as true to his promises
|
|
as he was to his threatenings? No doubt he will: "<I>So again have I
|
|
thought to do well to Jerusalem in those days,</I> when you begin to
|
|
hearken to the voice of God speaking to you by his prophets; and these
|
|
thoughts also shall be performed."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The use they are to make of these encouragements.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Let them take the comfort which these promises give to them: <I>Fear
|
|
you not</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>let your hands be strong</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
and both together
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Fear not, but let your hands be strong.</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The difficulties they met with in their work must not drive them
|
|
from it, nor make them go on heavily in it, for the issue would be good
|
|
and the reward great. Let this therefore animate them to proceed with
|
|
vigour and cheerfulness.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The dangers they were exposed to from their enemies must not
|
|
terrify them; those that have God for them, engaged to do them good,
|
|
need not fear <I>what man can do against them.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Let them do the duty which those promises call for from them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
The very same duties which the former prophets pressed upon their
|
|
fathers from the consideration of the wrath threatened
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+7:9,10"><I>ch.</I> vii. 9, 10</A>)
|
|
|
|
this prophet presses upon them from the consideration of the mercy
|
|
promised: "Leave it to God, to perform for you what he has promised, in
|
|
his own way and time, but upon condition that you make conscience of
|
|
your duty. <I>These are the things then that you shall do;</I> this is
|
|
your part of the covenant; these are the articles which you are to
|
|
perform, fulfil, and keep, that you may not put a bar in your own door
|
|
and stop the current of God's favours."
|
|
|
|
(1.) "You must never tell a lie, but always speak as you think, and as
|
|
the matter is, to the best of your knowledge: <I>Speak you every man
|
|
the truth to his neighbour,</I> both in bargains and in common
|
|
converse; dread every word that looks like a lie." This precept the
|
|
apostle quotes
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:25">Eph. iv. 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
and backs it with this reason, <I>We are members one of another.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Those that are entrusted with the administration of public justice
|
|
must see to it, not only that none be wronged by it, but that those who
|
|
are wronged be righted by it: <I>Execute the judgment of truth and
|
|
peace in your gates.</I> Let the judges that sit in the gates in all
|
|
their judicial proceedings have regard both to truth and to peace; let
|
|
them take care to do justice, to accommodate differences, and to
|
|
prevent vexatious suits. It must be a judgment of truth in order to
|
|
peace, and making those friends that were at variance, and a judgment
|
|
of peace as far as is consistent with truth, and no further.
|
|
|
|
(3.) No man must bear malice against his neighbour upon any account;
|
|
this is the same with what we had
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+7:10"><I>ch.</I> vii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
We must not only keep our hands from doing evil, but we must watch over
|
|
our hearts, that they <I>imagine not any evil</I> against our
|
|
neighbour,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:29">Prov. iii. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
Injury and mischief must be crushed in the thought, in the embryo.
|
|
|
|
(4.) Great reverence must be had for an oath, and conscience made of
|
|
it: "Never take a false oath, nay, <I>love no false oath;</I> that is,
|
|
hate it, dread it, keep at a distance from it. Love not to impose
|
|
oaths upon others, lest they swear falsely; love not that any should
|
|
take a false oath for your benefit, and forswear themselves to do you a
|
|
kindness." A very good reason is annexed against all these corrupt and
|
|
wicked practices: "For <I>all these are things that I hate,</I> and
|
|
therefore you must hate them if you expect to have God your friend."
|
|
These things here forbidden are all of them found among the <I>seven
|
|
things which the Lord hates,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+6:16-19">Prov. vi. 16-19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, We must forbear sin, not only because God is angry at it, and
|
|
therefore it is dangerous to us, but because he hates it, and therefore
|
|
it ill becomes us and is a very ungrateful thing.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Zec8_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Encouraging Prospects.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 517.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 And the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts came unto me, saying,
|
|
19 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; The fast of the fourth
|
|
<I>month,</I> and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh,
|
|
and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and
|
|
gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and
|
|
peace.
|
|
20 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; <I>It shall</I> yet <I>come to pass,</I>
|
|
that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:
|
|
21 And the inhabitants of one <I>city</I> shall go to another,
|
|
saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and to seek
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts: I will go also.
|
|
22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
23 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; In those days <I>it shall come
|
|
to pass,</I> that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of
|
|
the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a
|
|
Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard <I>that</I> God
|
|
<I>is</I> with you.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
These verses contain two precious promises, for the further
|
|
encouragement of those pious Jews that were hearty in building the
|
|
temple.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. That a happy period should be put to their fasts, and there should
|
|
be no more occasion for them, but they should be converted into
|
|
thanksgiving days,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
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This is a direct answer to the enquiry concerning their fasts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+7:3"><I>ch.</I> vii. 3</A>.
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Those of them that fasted in hypocrisy had their doom in the foregoing
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chapter, but those that in sincerity humbled themselves before God, and
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sought his face, have here a comfortable assurance given them of a
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large share in the happy times approaching. The four <I>yearly
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|
fasts</I> which they had religiously observed should be <I>to the house
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|
of Judah joy and gladness, and solemn feasts,</I> and those cheerful
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|
ones. Note, Joyous times will come to the church after troublous times;
|
|
if weeping endure for more than a night, and joy come not next morning,
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|
yet the morning will come that will introduce it at length. And, when
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|
God comes towards us in ways of mercy, we must meet him with joy and
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|
thankfulness; when God turns judgments into mercies we must turn fasts
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|
into festivals, and thus <I>walk after the Lord.</I> And those who
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<I>sow in tears</I> with Zion shall <I>reap in joy</I> with her; those
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who submit to the restraints of her solemn fasts while they continue
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shall share in the triumphs of her cheerful feasts when they come,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:10">Isa. lxvi. 10</A>.
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The inference from this promise is, "<I>Therefore love the truth and
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peace;</I> be faithful and honest in all your dealings, and let it be a
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|
pleasure to you to be so, though thereby you cut yourselves short of
|
|
those gains which you see others get dishonestly; and, as much as in
|
|
you lies, live peaceably with all men, and be in your element when you
|
|
are in charity. Let the truths of God rule in your heads, and let the
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|
peace of God rule in your hearts."</P>
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<P>
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II. That a great accession should be made to the church by the
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|
conversion of many foreigners,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:20-23"><I>v.</I> 20-23</A>.
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This was fulfilled but in part when, in the latter times of the Jewish
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church, there were abundance of proselytes from all the countries
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|
about, and some that lay very remote, who came yearly to worship at
|
|
Jerusalem, which added very much both to the grandeur and wealth of
|
|
that city, and contributed greatly to the making of it so considerable
|
|
as it came to be before our Saviour's time, though now it was but just
|
|
peeping out of its ruins. But it would be accomplished much more fully
|
|
in the conversion of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ, and the
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|
incorporating of them with the believing Jews in one great body, under
|
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Christ the head, a <I>mystery</I> which is <I>made manifest</I> by the
|
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<I>scriptures of the prophets</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:26">Rom. xvi. 26</A>),
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and by this among the rest, which makes it strange that when it was
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accomplished it was so great a surprise and stumbling-block to the
|
|
Jews. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. Who they are that shall be added to the church--<I>people, and the
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|
inhabitants of many cities</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
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not only a few ignorant country people that may be easily imposed upon,
|
|
or some idle people that have nothing else to do, but intelligent
|
|
inquisitive citizens, men of business and acquaintance with the world,
|
|
shall embrace the gospel of Christ; <I>yea, many people and strong
|
|
nations</I>
|
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
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some of <I>all languages,</I>
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
By this it appears that they are brought into the church, not by human
|
|
persuasion, for they are of different languages, not by external force,
|
|
for they are strong nations, able to have kept their ground if they had
|
|
been so attacked, but purely by the effectual working of divine truth
|
|
and grace. Note, God has his remnant in all parts; and in the general
|
|
assembly of the church of the first-born some will be found <I>out of
|
|
all nations and kindreds,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:9">Rev. vii. 9</A>.</P>
|
|
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How their accession to the church is described: They shall come
|
|
<I>to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
and, to show that this is the main matter in which their conversion
|
|
consists, it is repeated
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
They <I>shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray
|
|
before the Lord.</I> No mention is made of their offering sacrifices,
|
|
not only because these were not expected from the proselytes of the
|
|
gate, but because, when the Gentiles should be brought in, sacrifice
|
|
and offering should be quite abolished. See who are to be accounted
|
|
converts to God and members of the church: and all that are converts to
|
|
God are members of the church.
|
|
|
|
(1.) They are such as <I>seek the Lord of hosts,</I> such as enquire
|
|
for <I>God their Maker,</I> covet and court his favour, and are truly
|
|
desirous to know his mind and will and sincerely devoted to his honour
|
|
and glory. <I>This is the generation of those that seek him.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) They are such as <I>pray before the Lord,</I>--such as make
|
|
conscience, and make a business, of the duty of prayer,--such as dare
|
|
not, would not, for all the world, live without it,--such as by prayer
|
|
pay their homage to God, own their dependence upon him, maintain their
|
|
communion with him, and fetch in mercy and grace from him.
|
|
|
|
(3.) They are such as herein have an eye to the divine revelation and
|
|
institution, which is signified by their doing this <I>in
|
|
Jerusalem,</I> the place which God had chosen, where his word was,
|
|
where his temple was, which was a type of Christ and his mediation,
|
|
which all faithful worshippers will have a believing regard to.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. How unanimous they shall be in their accession to the church, and
|
|
how zealous in exciting one another to it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The inhabitants of one city shall go to another,</I> as formerly
|
|
when they went up from all parts of the country to worship at the
|
|
yearly feasts; and they shall say, <I>Let us go speedily to pray before
|
|
the Lord; I will go also.</I> This intimates,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That those who are brought into an acquaintance with Christ
|
|
themselves should do all they can to bring others acquainted with him;
|
|
thus Andrew invited Peter to Christ and Philip invited Nathanael. True
|
|
grace hates monopolies.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That those who are duly sensible of their need of Christ, and of
|
|
the favour of God through him, will stir up themselves and others
|
|
without delay to hasten to him: "<I>Let us go speedily to pray;</I> it
|
|
is for our lives, and the lives of our souls, that we are to petition,
|
|
and therefore it concerns us to lose no time; in a matter of such
|
|
moment delays are dangerous."
|
|
|
|
(3.) That our communion with God is very much assisted and furthered by
|
|
the communion of saints. It is pleasant to go <I>to the house of God in
|
|
company</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+55:14">Ps. lv. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>with the multitude</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+42:4">Ps. xlii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it is of good use to those that do so to excite one another to go
|
|
speedily and lose no time; we should be glad when it is said to us,
|
|
<I>Let us go,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+122:1">Ps. cxxii. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
As iron sharpens iron, so may good men sharpen the countenances and
|
|
spirits one of another in that which is good.
|
|
|
|
(4.) That those who stir up others to that which is good must take heed
|
|
that they do not turn off, or tire, or draw back themselves; he that
|
|
says, <I>Let us go,</I> says, <I>I will go also.</I> What good we put
|
|
others upon doing we must see to it that we do ourselves, else we shall
|
|
be judged out of our own mouths. Not, "Do you go, and I will stay at
|
|
home;" but, "Do you go, and I will go with you." "A singular pattern
|
|
(says Mr. Pemble) of zealous charity, that neither leaves others behind
|
|
nor turns others before it."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. Upon what inducement they shall join themselves to the church, not
|
|
for the church's sake, but for his sake who dwells in it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+8:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Ten men</I> of different nations and languages <I>shall take hold of
|
|
the skirt of him that is a Jew,</I> begging of him not to outgo them,
|
|
but to take them along with him. This intimates the great honour they
|
|
have for a Jew, as one of the chosen people of God, and therefore well
|
|
worthy their acquaintance; they cannot all come to take him by the
|
|
hand, or embrace him in their arms, but are ambitious to take hold of
|
|
the skirt of his robe, to touch the hem of his garment, saying, <I>We
|
|
will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.</I> The
|
|
gospel was preached to the Jews first (for of that nation the apostles
|
|
were) and by them it was carried to the Gentiles. St. Paul was a Jew
|
|
whose skirt many took hold of when they welcomed him as <I>an angel of
|
|
God,</I> and begged him to take them along with him to Christ; thus the
|
|
Greeks took hold of Philip's skirt, saying, <I>Sir, we would see
|
|
Jesus,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+12:21">John xii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, It is the privilege of the saints that they have God with them,
|
|
have him among them--the knowledge, and fear, and worship of him; they
|
|
have his favour and gracious presence, and this should invite us into
|
|
communion with them. It is good being with those who have God with
|
|
them, and those who <I>join themselves to the Lord</I> must <I>join
|
|
themselves to his disciples;</I> if we take God for our God, we must
|
|
take his people for our people, cast in our lot among them, and be
|
|
willing to take our lot with them.</P>
|
|
|
|
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