Zechariah 8
PATGod promises the continuance of his favour to those that are returned from captivity; so that upon the removal of his judgments, they need no longer continue the fasts they had observed during the captivity: and withal promises in due time a general restoration of his people, and the enlargement of his church by the coming inof the gentiles.
Zechariah 8:2
JL WAS jealous for Zion with great jealousy. Or, I have been zealous for Zion with great zeal. (See the note uponi. 14.) And Itvas [or, have been] zealous for Zion with great fury.) I expressed my concern for her welfare, by the severe punishments I brought upon the Babylonians, their oppressors. (Compare Ezek. xxxvi. 5, 6.)
Zechariah 8:3
I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. See ii. 10. And Jerusalem shall be called the city of truth, &c.] Jerusalem shall be again the seat of truth and justice, her magistrates being restored to execute their authority there: and the temple upon Mount Moriah shall be again dedicated to God’s worship, and honoured with his presence. (Compare Isa. i. 26. Jer. xxxi. 23.)
Zechariah 8:4
There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem. Whereas before the captivity the inhabitants were cut off in the midst of their years, by the sword, the famine, and, the pestilence. (See Jcr. xiv. 12; xv. 2. Ezek. v. 12.)
Zechariah 8:5
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing, &c. As in the time of perfect peace and security.
Zechariah 8:6
If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes?. Because, The things which are impossible ivith men are possible ivith God, Luke xviii. 27. Concerning the remnant, see the note upon Micah iv. 7.
Zechariah 8:7
I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country. The words of the original may be literally translated thus, From the rising to the going down of the sun; which signifies, from all parts of the world. (Compare Psal. 1. i. cxiii. 3. Mai. i. 11.) This denotes the general restoration of the Jewish nation from their several dispersions, (compare ver. 13. 20. 23.) an event foretold by most of the prophets of the Old Testament. (See the note upon Isa. xi. 11.) The west country here mentioned hath a particular relation to their present dispersion, great numbers of them being in these latter ages settled in the western parts of the world. (See the note upon Isa. xxiv. 14. and upon Hos. xi. 10.)
Zechariah 8:8
And I willbHng them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be restored to their own country, and inhabit their capital city of Jerusalem, as in old time. (Sec the note upon Ezek. xxviii. 25, 2G.) And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.] They shall constantly serve and worship me, and I will bless and protect them. (See xiii. 9.) In truth and in righteousness.] If wc refer these words to God, the word righteousness is equivalent to mercy, as it is often used; and, joined with truth, implies God’s faithfulness in performing his gracious promises: or the word may be understood of the people, that as God was faithful, to them, so they will live in obedience to him.
Zechariah 8:9
Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets. Take courage to go on with the building of the temple, from these, comfortable promises which are recited in this chapter, and which ye have formerly heard from the mouth of the prophets, Haggai (ii. 4.) and Zechariah, (iv. 9.) Which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the- Lord of hosts was laid, &c] Or, Who spake in the day, &c. Which makes the sense plainer. The prophet speaks of carrying on the building, as if it were laying a new foundation. (See Hag. ii. 18.)
Zechariah 8:10
For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast. Or rather, There was no reward for man, nor any reward for beast: so the word seJcar often signifies: (see Isa. xl. 10. lxii. 11.) i. e. the fruits of the earth would not pay the labour of those that manured it. (See Hag. i. 9—11. ii. 16, 17.). * For I set all men, every one against his neighbour.] The people of the land that dwelt amongst the Jews were continually molesting them. (See Ezra iv. 3, &c.).
Zechariah 8:11
Bat now I will not be’to the residue of this people as in former days. Now, you carry on the building of the temple. (See ver. 6. 9, 10.)
Zechariah 8:12
The ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dexv. Compare 1 Kings xvii. 1. I will take away the curse I formerly sent upon the fruits of the earth. (See Hag. i. 10.)
Zechariah 8:13
As ye were a curse among the heathen. A standing monument of the Divine vengeance; so that the heathen used this as a common form of imprecation, God do so to me as he did to the Jews.’ (See Isa. Ixv. 15. Jer. xxix. 22.) O house ofJudah, and house of Israel.] This may be understood of the Jews belonging to the ten tribes, of whom several joined themselves to the tribe of Judah before the captivity, and were carried away with them to Babylon, and returned with them from thence. (Compare i. 19. ix. 13. x. 6. with 2 Chron. xi. 1G. xxxiv. 33. Ezra vi. 17.) But the mentioning both Judah and Israel, which had been so long separated, shews that both the curse and the blessing here spoken of, in its ultimate sense, belongs to the whole body of the Jews, who, as they are a public instance of God’s judgments now, so shall they be hereafter of his blessings; viz. at the general restoration and conversion of that nation: to which several promises in this chapter relate. (See ver. 7, 8. 20. 23. and the note upon Isa. xi. 13.) • So willl save you, and ye shall be a blessing.] See Isa. xix. 24, 25. and the note there.
Zechariah 8:14
As I thought [or, resolved. to punish you, when your fathers jwovoked me to wrath, and repented not, &c] As I resolved to punish your fathers for their sins, and put my decrees in execution; (compare Jonah iii. 10.) so now I have determined to be favourable to you, and protect you from all your enemies. (Compare Jer. xxxi. 28.)
Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that ye shall do, &c. These promises are conditional, and the performance of them will depend upon your observing the rules of justice andrighteousness which I commanded your fathers by the