Zechariah 2

Zechariah 2:1-5

In this chapter we have, 1. Another of the prophet’s visions, ver. 2, 2. A former upon it: (1.) By way of application of the vision, forming it to be a prediction of the reploring of Jerusalem, and of its safety and honour, ver. 3, 5. (2.) By way of application. Here is, 1. A use of admiration to the Jesus that were put in Babylon, profiling them to deplore their return to their own land, ver. 6—9. 2. A use of satisfaction to those that were returned, in reference to the many difficulties they had to struggle with, ver. 10, 11. 3. A use of caution to all not to preferable to God, or limit him, but patiently to wait for him, ver. 13.

4 S 1. I Before Covid 31p. Euck. al. Rev. al. 1.

1. I LIFT up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold, ‘a man with a meafuring-line in his hand.

2. Then said I, Whither goeth thou? And he said unto me, ‘To measure Jerusalem to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is 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 as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein. 5. For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her: ‘a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

The prophet had declared that a line should be stretched forth upon Jerusalem, and rove in vision it is done. And more items intended than the mere rebuilding this city, even the erection of that glorious church, which the Redeemer of men should, in the fullness of time, come to establish in the earth.

1. The vision he beholds is a man with a meafuring-line in his hand, the same person as before, the Lord Jesus going forth according to the eternal decrees, to mark out the bounds of his church, and by his word and Spirit to build up the walls, that it may be a glorious church, in doctrine, discipline, and all holy conversation.

2. The prophet, deftour to be informed concerning what he saw, also, Whither goeth thou? and he tells him, to measure Jerusalem, &c. Then going forth, another angel meets him, and defturs him to go back and inform the young man, for such, tho’ a prophet, it seems Zechariah was, concerning the meaning of the vision: that Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, intimating its safety, security, and popularization, replenished with men and beasts in multitudes, protected as with a wall of fire, and filled with the glory of the Lord, v. 5. which, though in a sense literally applicable to that city, is much rather to be considered as descriptive of the church of Christ, when all aetway should flow into it; safe under the care of Jesus, as if surrounded by a wall of fire, his people shall dwell in peace; and in his ordinances he will manifest to them his pretence, and be in the midst of their assemblies their glory and defence.

3. Ho, ho, come forth, and ‘flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.

4. ‘Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. 8. For thus saith the LORD of hosts, After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you, for he that ’touched you, touched 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 LORD of hosts hath sent me.

Zechariah 2:6-9

Though a general permission had been given to all the Jewish captives to return to their own land, many, discouraged by the difficulties they apprehended in retelling, and who had perhaps well provided for themselves in the land of their captivity, took no advantage of the proclamation of Cyrus, but sat down content in that strange land. To rebuke their backwardness, and to quicken their return, God sends a summons to them in all places of their dispersion: Ho, ho, come forth. And such is the kind voice of gospel-grace, when miserable liners are bragging their chains, and asleep in the prison of their iniquities.

1. They are commanded to fire as for their lives, and escape without delay from the house of their prison, no longer dwelling with the daughter of Babylon, but coming to Zion, now prepared for their reception, v. 7. Note, All things are ready, if we are ready; Jesus calls, our duty, our interest, is to obey: if we reject his word, and continue willing slaves of sin, our blood will be upon our own heads.

2. Their apprehensions of the difficulties and dangers they may meet with are silenced: nay, where they were they would be much more exposed; for that faith the Lord of hosts, after the glory promised, v. 5. and the glorious beginnings which had appeared, hath he sent me unto the nations that spoiled you, the Chaldeans, to avenge the wrongs they had suffered from them; for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye; So tender, So careful, is God of his dear people, and So quick in his resentments of every offence given to them. For behold, I will shake my hand upon them, the Babylonians, and they shall be a spoil to their servants, being destroyed by the Persians under Darius, against whom they had revolted; and should the Jews flee there, they would then suffer for their folly. And ye shall have that the Lord of hosts hath sent me, when the prophecy receives its accomplishment. Note, (1.) Every child of God is dear to him, as if they were his very eyes, and he will suffer no injury to be done them with impunity. (2.) All Christ’s enemies shall fall before him; he will perfect, as he hath begun, the work of his poo-

ple’s salvation: and therein his glory shall appear, and his divine mission be fully evidenced.

Before Conf. 17p.

10. ¶ Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for lo, I come, and ‘I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. 11. And ‘many nations shall be joined to the LORD ‘in that day, and shall be ‘my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and ’thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. 12. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, ‘and shall choose Jerusalem again. 13. Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is railed up: ‘out of his holy habitation.

Zechariah 2:10-13

The church and the people of God are called to sing and rejoice on the appearing of the great Redeemer.

1. They shall have his presence in the midst of them. For lo I come, not only as incarnate, but in the preaching of his gospel to the end of time; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord, in his special pretence accompanying his ordinances; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee, by experience of his power and grace upon each of their hearts.

2. Great accessions from all nations shall be made to the church. Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day; the Gentiles being called into the fellowship of the gospel, and obedient to the faith; and thus shall be entitled to all the blessings of the covenant of grace, they shall be my people, to serve and enjoy me.

3. The Jewish people shall be restored to their own land. The Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again; either they shall be converted and brought into the church, which is the holy land; or literally, as many suppose, shall at the time of their recovery at last be put in possession of Judea, rebuild Jerusalem, and as the redeemed of Jesus worship the Lord in the beauty of business.

4. Silence is proclaimed through the earth to all flesh. Either they are enjoined to behold with astonishment this wonderful work of the recovery of Israel; or this is addressed to the enemies of God’s church and people, who will be confounded and for ever silenced in the dust, when, raised up from his holy habitation, the Lord shall come to vindicate their wrongs, and execute judgment on the ungodly.