Zechariah 1

Zechariah 1:1

IN the eighth moneth] Two moneths after Haggai began to prophesie, Haggai 1. 1. when as the Jews were in ill state, through famine, and the work of the Temple but newly taken in hand.

in the second year of Darius] Who was the sonne of Hystaspis, called Artaxashta. See upon Ezra 4:24. Haggai 1:1.

Zechariah] This was not that Zechariah, whereof is mention, 2 Chronicles 24:20. but had the same name, and is called the sonne of Berechiah; because he came of those progenitors, as of Jojadah, or Berechiah and Iddo.

the prophet] Which is to be referred to Zechariah, and not to Iddo, though there was one of that name a Prophet.

Zechariah 1:2

sore displeased] Heb. with displeasure. He speaketh this to affright them with Gods judgements, that they should not provoke him as their fathers had done, whom he so grievously punished.

Zechariah 1:3

Turn ye unto me] Malachi 3:7. Let your fruits declare that you are Gods people, and that he hath wrought in you by his Spirit, and mortified you: for else man hath no power to return to God, but God must convert him; as Jerem. 31. 18. Lamentations 5:21.

I will turn unto you] I will again make you feel the effects of my grace and favour.

Zechariah 1:4

Turn ye now from your evill wayes] Isaiah 31:6. Jeremiah 3:12. and Jeremiah 18:11. Ezekiel 18:30. Hosea 14:1.

Zechariah 1:5

where are they] Though your fathers be dead, yet Gods judgements in punishing them ought still to be before your eyes: and though the prophets be dead, yet their doctrine remaineth for ever, 2 Peter 1:15.

Zechariah 1:6

my words and my statutes] The accomplishment of their prophesies after their death, hath shewen sufficiently that their words died not with them: and your fathers in their calamities acknowledged as much, and began to turn to God: and it is fitting for you to follow them therein, and to accomplish it.

take hold] Or, overtake. That is, overtake and catch them, (as huntsmen the prey, or one enemy another in flight) though they sought means to make their escape.

they returned] It may be, repented, or were better advised, and came to the right knowledge of their estate; as Malachi 3:18.

Like as, &c.] Lamentations 1:18.

Zechariah 1:7

the moneth Sebat] Which containeth part of January, and part of February.

Zechariah 1:8

I saw by night] A time fit and usuall for such revelations.

a man] The Sonne of God appearing in humane shape, as Chap. 3. 2. Captain of the Lords Host, Joshua 5:14. in likenesse of an horsman, ready appointed to make out for his, who as Archangel, Jude 1:9. and Captain of their host or chief, sendeth his Angels, and they give him an account, vers. 11.

a red horse] Why red? In the same sense that this colour is given to his garments, Isaiah 63:1-3, &c. and to the Angels Horse, Revelation 6:4. Junius interpreteth it, fiery, to signifie Gods fiery anger against the enemies of his people; the execution of which he came to tell the Prophet of.

the myrtle-trees] which represent the Church, composed of weak and low plants, but holy and precious ones, as the myrtle-tree is. Revelation 1:13.

in the bottom] By this property of the Myrtle-tree that delighteth in valleys, and Sea-shores, and rivers sides, is signified the lowly and abject condition of the Church in this world; and particularly the subjection it was then in, under the Persian Empire.

behinde him] That is, behind the man riding on the red horse, as Attendants, Captains and Skouts.

red horses] With horsmen upon them, which were created Angels, Ministers, and Warriers under their head; see Psalms 68:17. Now by these colours, it seems may be understood the Angels severall services: the red ones for punishment, the white ones for grace, and the speckled ones for chastisement in visitation.

speckled] Or, bay.

Zechariah 1:9

the angel] It seems to be the same as was among the Myrtle-trees; namely, the Sonne of God, who appeared in this vision in both these qualities, of head of the Church on horseback, and of her Prophet in shape of an Angel.

Zechariah 1:10

walk to and fro through the earth] As his posts and messengers, to take notice of the state of the world, and to make relation to him of it.

Zechariah 1:11

all the earth fitteth still] All other nations are in peace and prosperitie: onely thy people cannot recover themselves of their late calamities.

is at rest] Or, is inhabited.

Zechariah 1:12

angel of the LORD] Namely, the Sonne of God, who is intercessour to the Father for the safetie of the Church.

threescore and ten years] Jeremiah 25:12. & Jeremiah 29:10. Daniel 9:2. Of the captivitie, as Zechariah 7:5. according to the prophecie of Jer 25:11. & Jeremiah 29:10. the ruines of which lasted yet, though the people were set at libertie long before.

Zechariah 1:13

good words] With such promises as tended to the reliefe of the present miseries they were in.

Zechariah 1:14

jealous for Jerusalem] Chap. 8. 2. Though for a time God deferre his help and comfort from his Church; yet this declareth that he loveth them still most dearly, as a most mercifull father his children; or an husband his wife; and when it is expedient for them, his help is ever ready.

Zechariah 1:15

a little displeased] I was willing to punish my people by their means, but with a moderation, a little time befitting the end; which was to correct them, and according to my mercy toward them: But the instruments which I have made use of therein, have added their rage, and the excesses of their crueltie thereunto: not containing themselves within the limits of my revealed will: though they could not go beyond my secret permission. See Isaiah 47:6.

Zechariah 1:16

returned to Jerusalem] I went away, and hid me from it, in my anger, Hosea 5:15. but am come againe with many comforts, and tender mercles to relieve it.

a line shall be stretched forth] That is, her buildings shall be reedified, and made up again.

Zechariah 1:17

My cities] Not this onely of Jerusalem, but others also round about of inferiour note.

through prosperitie] Heb. good. That is, plentifull increase of men, cattell, and all manner of fruits of the earth, as Chap. 2. 4.

shall yet be spread abroad] Notwithstanding the mean and poore estate which the whole countrey is now in; it shall be replenished with such abundance, that, your places shall be full and runne over: as vessels and fountains that have more then they can hold, as Proverbs 5:16.

yet comfort Zion] Shall confirme and renew the right and priviledge which he had granted her, of being the place of his residence. See Isaiah 14:1. Zechariah 2:12.

Zechariah 1:18

foure horns] A figure of the Churches enemies, which had set upon her from the foure corners of the world: Or of the foure Monarchies, by which she had been, and should be oppressed, untill Christs coming, Daniel 2:37. and Daniel 7:3. Now by these hornes must be meant iron hornes, such as warriours did weare upon their helmets: and therefore fit workmen are brought in to break them.

Zechariah 1:20

foure carpenters] These Carpenters or Smithes, as 1 Samuel 13:19. are a figure of the instruments, which ruined those enemies, that persecuted the Church; and declare that no enemies horne is so strong, but God hath an hammer to break it in pieces.

Zechariah 1:21

so that no man] So that they have easily brought it to passe, seeing none had power to resist them.