00. — [An Tiom of salvation.] Henry Venn remarks, " The horn of an animal is its weapon for defence and vengeance, its orna- ment and beauty too. It is used therefore in the prophetic style, to denote the power of the strongest empires. In the same sense we are to understand it here. By this image the exceed- ing greatness of the Redeemer's strength, and the never-ceasing exertion of it in behalf of His church are signified." — Venn on the prophecy of Zacharias.
70. — [He spake by the mouth of his holy prophets.] Let us note that it is expressly said that "God spake" bv the prophets. When we read their words, we read the words of God. Burgon gives the following apt quotation from Hooker : — " They neither spake nor wrote any word of their own, but uttered syllable by svUable as the Spirit put it into their mouths; no otherwise than as the harp or the lute doth give a sound according to the discretion of his hands that holdeth and striketh it with skill."
71, 74. — [Our enemies.] We are left to gather from other sources, who are meant by these "enemies." It is highly improbable that the expression is to be taken only in a spiritual sense, and that Zacharias only means that Ghhst delivers His believing people from the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is far more probable that the prophecy of Zacharias, speaking, as he did, when filled with the Holy Ghost, looks far forward into all time, and includes both the second and the first advents of Jesus Christ. In this view the expression " enemies " includes not only the spiritual enemies from whom Jesus delivers His people now, but the literal enemies from whom He will deliver His redeemed Ghiu'ch, and the scattered tribes of Israel, at His future second appearing.
78. — [Dayspring.] This must mean Christ Himself. He is called in Malachi, " the Sun of righteousness," and in Peter, " the day-star," and in Revelation, "the bright and morning star." (Mai. iv. 2. 2 Peter i. 19. Rev. xxii. 16.) All are figurative expressions, teaching the same grand truth, that " Christ is the light of the world." (John viii. 12.)