Zechariah 8

Zechariah 8:1

VVOrd of the LORD] It appeareth by ver. 19. that this is a continuation of Gods answer to the question concerning the said fasts.

Zechariah 8:2

I was jealous for Zion] Chap. 1. 14.

with great jealousie] I loved my citie with a singular love, so that I could not abide that any should do her any injurie. Or lest she should sinne by keeping these fasts.

Zechariah 8:3

shall be called a citie of truth] Isaiah 1:26. Or, of loyaltie.

Zechariah 8:4

There shall yet old men] I will blesse the inhabitants of Jerusalem with peace, and health, and long life. A figure of the spirituall blessings of the Church, as Isaiah 65:20. 22.

his staffe in his hand] A signe of a prosperous estate, wherein men are not cut off untimely by warres and such like calamities See 1 Samuel 2:31. Lam. 2. 20, 21, 22. & 5. 11, 12, 13, 14.

for very age] Heb. for multitude of dayes.

Zechariah 8:6

marvellous in the eyes] Or, hard, or difficult. He sheweth wherein our faith standeth, that is, to beleeve God can performe that which he hath promised, though it seeme never so impossible to man, Genesis 18:14. Luke 18:27. Romans 4:20.

Zechariah 8:7

save my people] That is, the scattered Jews.

from the east-countrey] From all quarters of the world, where they have been dispersed: which by Synecdoche are meant by the rising and setting of the Sunne, as appears Psalms 133:3. Malachi 1:11. Psalms 50:1.

the west-countrey] Heb. the countrey of the going downe of the sunne.

Zechariah 8:8

in truth and in righteousnesse] Faithfully performing my promise which I have made to them in my Covenant: and enlarging my bounty towards them, which is often signified by the word righteousnesse. See Hosea 2:19.

Zechariah 8:9

Let your hands be strong] Hag. 2. 4. Let neither respect of your private commodities, neither counsell of others, nor feare of enemies discourage you in the going forward with the building of the Temple.

these words by the mouth] Promises and exhortations.

prophets] Haggai and Zechariah, who at this time prophecied to the Jews.

in the day that the foundation] What that day was, we have it related, Ezra 3:8.

Zechariah 8:10

there was no hire for man] Or, the hire of man became nothing, &c. Mens and beasts labour was in vain, by reason of the curse which I laid upon your carelesnesse in restoring my service, Hag. 1. 6. 10. and 2. 15.

I set all men] I suffered the land to be full of robberies, and enemies incursions.

Zechariah 8:11

But now I will] Seeing you have chearefully gone on to the reedifying of my Temple.

Zechariah 8:12

For the seed shall be] I will set down the true occasions and means of a true and perfect peace: and will cause it to encrease and multiply. See Psalms 72:3.

prosperous] Heb. of peace.

the vine shall give her fruit] Joe 2:22.

Zechariah 8:13

a curse among the heathen] A forme of execration and cursing; as thus (God do to me, or thee as he hath done to the Jews, or, God make thee like a Jew) or the like, making their calamitie a pattern for any fearfull imprecation. See Deuteronomy 28:37. Jer. 24. 9 and 29. 18. 22. & 42. 18. Psalms 83:11. & Psalms 102:8.

be a blessing] A forme to be used in blessing of others: as the like, Rth 4:11-12. See Zephaniah 3:20.

fear not] Cast no doubt, mistrust not your own weaknesse, nor your enemies strength, &c. but go on in the work and be confident of Gods aide.

Zechariah 8:14

I repented not] I changed not my mind, because they changed not their evill courses, but did as I forethought and forethreatened. And the Jews had found by experience, that thus farre God was as good as his word.

Zechariah 8:16

Speak ye every man the truth] Ephesians 4:25.

execute the judgement of truth and peace] Heb. judge truth, and the judgement of peace.

Zechariah 8:19

The fast] This is the principall answer to the question which was prpounded in the former Chapter, containing a promise of changing the state of the Church.

of the fourth moneth] Appointed for a remembrance for the taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, which was in this moneth, Jeremiah 52:6-7.

and the fast of the fifth] For the burning of the Temple, Jeremiah 52:12-13. Zechariah 7:5.

fast of the seventh] For the death of Gedaliah, Jeremiah 41:1, &c. Zechariah 7:5.

the fast of the tenth] For the siege laid before Jerusalem, Jeremiah 52:4.

feasts] Heb. solemn, or set times.

love the truth] If you desire to have these good things come to passe.

Zechariah 8:20

there shall come people] A prophecie of the calling of the Gentiles.

Zechariah 8:21

Let vs go] Isaiah 2:3. Mic. 4. 1, 2.

speedily] Or, continually. Heb. going.

to pray before the LORD] Heb. to intreat the face of the LORD.

I will go also] Every one was as forward to serve God himselfe, as he was desirous for an other to do it: That is true zealous charitie which neither leaveth others behind, nor thrusteth others before it.

Zechariah 8:22

in Jerusalem] Typically, because at this time Gods worship being onely there, all converts were to resort thither.

Zechariah 8:23

In those dayes] Of the publication of the Gospel.

ten men shall take hold] That is, many, as Genesis 31:41. Leviticus 26:26. Job 19:3. of the nations should embrace the true religion which in former times was restrained within the nation of the Jewes, according to that prophecie, Genesis 9:27. fulfilled in time of the Messiah, when the Gentiles fetched religion from Jerusalem; Sems tents, Genesis 14:18. Hebrews 7:1. whence the Gospel sounded forth. See Isaiah 2:3.

God is with you] 1 Corinthians 14:25.