Zechariah 10
DortThe prophet exhorts the Jewes, to betake themselves to God for refuge in all their distresses, who would blesse them verse 1, &c, which because their fathers had not done but repaired for refuge to the Idols, therefore did all these calamities befall them, 2 after that the prophet speakes of spiritual mercies and benefits, and the victorie, which the LORD would give his church in the time of the Messia, 4, &c.
1. Desire rain of the LORD in time of the latter rain; [Of which see Deuteronomy 11:14 and compare Haggai 1:6. and 2.15. Zach. 8.12. see also Joel 2:23. and Proverbs 16:15. The sense is, if ye want anything, make your address unto the LORD for it, by your prayers; whether it be rain, for the growth and encrease of your fruits, or whatever else it may be, do not ye run unto the idols, as your fathers did, and by me were punished for it] the LORD makes the lightnings; [or, showring clouds or storms. See Job 38:25.] and he shall give them [to wit, to them, that shall define and ask it of him. Here is a change of person, to them, for you, or, unto you] rain enough [Heb. Rain of the shower or, rain, (yea) showers; so Psalms 40 verse 3. dirt of the mire i.e. a sink of it, deep mire, quag-mire] for every herb of the field.
2. For the Teraphim speak vanity, [Or, verily, (surely) the Teraphim &c. here the reason is given why the godly ought to addresse themselves to God, for what they stand in need of, to wit, because the idols are nothing but vanity. See Psalms 115:3, 4, &c. see also Jeremiah 10:8. Habakkuk 2:18. Of Teraphim, see Genesis 31:19.] and the foothsayers seefalshood, [see is here as much to say as to prophesie, sore-see, foretell; viz. by the mouth of their false Prophets] and they speak vain dreams, they comfort with vanity: therefore [viz. because they worshipped the images of their idols, and believed their sooth-savers] they [to wit, the Jewes, your fathers] went their way, to wit, into the Babylonian captivity] like sheep, they were oppressed, [i.e. they openly confessed (said uttered)] for there was no shepherd: [or, that there was no shepherd: because neither priests nor government heeded their office, nor took any course, or pains to withdraw the people from the idolatrie. Compare Jeremiah 23:1. Ezekiel 34:2. Matthew 9:36.]
3. Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, [spoken in the former verse] and upon the goates [i.e. the governours, or the rich and mightie ones, using violence, as Isaiah 14:9. Ezekiel 34:17. Daniel 8:5.] I have made visitation: [viz. in my wrath] but the LORD of hostes will visit his flock, the house of Juda, and he shall set [or appoint, (prepare)] them, as the hosts of his majestie in the battle. [i.e. as his own horse of war, deckt and set out gloriously and which he honoureth with his own person going to war, and entering the battle confidently upon it. The meaning here is, that the LORD, after that he shall have chastened his people, he was resolved to prepare and set them out, as a well managed stately horse: implying he would give them heart and courage and every way enable them, both to resist and subdue their enemies. Spiritually, his signifieth, that God endueth, armeth and strengthneth his church with the power of his holy spirit, so as they becaome sufficiently able to withstand the devil and all his enemies, valiantly, and trample them under foot at length, Romans 16:20.]
4. From the same shall the cornerstone, [Heb. The corner. See Zeph. 1. the annotate on verse 16. and chapter 3.6. the chief of the people are likewise called corners, 1 Samuel 14:38. and Isaiah 19:13.] from the same shall the nail, [or pin to wit, such wherewith they used to pitch and fasten their tents. By it is here signified the chief ruler, or commander, as Isaiah 22:23, 25. but here especially a military one; as is plain by the sequel] from the same shall the battle-bow; together from the same, shall all drivers [Hebr. All (or, every) driver] come forth.
5. And they shall be [they, viz. of the house of Juda, and all true members of the church. From these words have relations to that which was said before verse 3.] As the champions, which tread in the mire of the street, in the battle: [Oth. Which shall trample (their enemies) in the battle, as the mire of the street] and they shall fight; for the LORD shall be with them: and they shall shame those, [that is, consound them] that ride upon horses. [I.e. the enemies of Gods church, notwithstanding they were so well horse and armed for the battle.]
6. And I will strengthen the house of Juda, and I will save [Or deliver, as above chapter 9.16.] the house of Joseph, [understand hereby, first the ten tribes and then all true Israelites, which were yet to be gathered with the literal ones, to make up the church of Christ] and I will set them in again, [the Hebrew verb here, seemes to be made of two melted together, signifying setting in, and bringing again. Oth. I will set, (or cause them to dwell) quickly] for I have had compassion on them: and they shall be as if I had not cast them off; for I am their LORD their God, and I will hear them.
7. And they shall be as a champion of Ephraim, [i.e. stout and caragios. Compare Psalms 78 verse 9, c. oth. And the Ephraimites shall be as a champion] and their hearts shall rejoice as (with) wine: and their children shall see it [that is, behold, hear, get and take notice of it] and rejoice; their heart shall rejoice in the LORD; that is, because of his gracious and mighty protection.]
8. I will hisse to them, and gather them, [i.e. call and gather them into my church by the preaching of the gospel, Matthew 11:28. Mark 16:20. Job 7.37. If this hissing be understood of the calling together an assemble of God’s people, for to withstand their enemies; then is it an argument, that it is very easie for God whenever it pleaseth him, to raise and get great hosts together. See Isa. 5. the annotate on verse 26. and chapter 7.18.] for I will deliver them, [or, when I shall deliver them, viz. by the blood and spirit of the sin Jesus Christ] and they shall be multiplied [or, they shall grow many, or great] according as (before) they were multiplied.
9. And I will sowe them among the nations, [that is to say, I will cause my church, that shall be dispersed all the world over, to spread it self more ad more and to be fruitfull as seed, sown in the fruitfull soil. See Hos. 2. on verse 23. see the fulfilling Acts 2:5. and 8.1, 4. 1 Peter 1:1.] and they shall remember me in far (or, remote) places, [i.e. they shall believe in me, call upon and save me as also make known and publish my holy name. this came to pass especially in the time of the preaching of the gospel, by the apostles and their associates] and they shall live with their children, [this is to be understood of the spiritual life; yet some atke it, for a happy and prosperous life here on earth] and return. [viz. into God conversion, or unto their earthly possessions, after their deliverance out of the hand of their enemies.]
10. For I will bring them back out of Egypt, and I will gather them out of Assyria and I will bring them into the land of Gilead, and of Libanon; [the sense is, as in former times I delivered and lead forth my people Israel out of Egypt and other countreyed, where for a time they were kept in misery and bondage and brought them into the land of Canaan: so I will likewise deliver my chosen people out of the blindnesse, idolatry and service of satan, to bring them into the church, and save them everlastingly] but it shall not be enough for them. [oth. But there shall not be found place enough for them. Viz. for to inhabit: their numbers shall so mightily encrease. Of the signification of the Heb. Word, see Numbers 11. the annotate on verse 22. Hosea 12:9.]
11. And he [viz. the Lord Christ] shall passé through the sea, distressing the same, [heb. With striat, or distress: the meaning is, he shall terrifie the sea, as it were and put it to striats, as formerly he did to the red sea. See psalms 114.3. Isaiah 11:15, &c. the meaning, that God would discover and open a free passage, for his elect, whereby to go forth out of the spiritual Egypt of this world, and to enter into the heavenly Canaan. Oth. And it (to wit, my people) shall passé through the sea of distress, or anguishm before it shall be transported into the heavenly Canaan] and he [viz. the LORD shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the river shall drie up, [i.e. the Lord shall take away all impediments] then shall the haughtiness [or, eminency] of Assur be cast down; and the scepter of Egypt shall remove. [i.e. all their state and government: as gen. 49.10 for the Assyrians and Egyptians together with all other heathen nations, which were wont to persecute the church of God, they shall subject themselves to the scepter and government of Christ.]
12. And I will strengthen them [God the father will strengthen his people] in the LORD, [i.e. in the faith in Jesus Christ, that is the head of his church] and they shall walk in his name, saith the LORD.