c Compare Gen. xxxii. 24 — 30. with Hos. xii. 3 — i>. See also Josh. v. 13 — 15. d Zech. xiii. 7.
Whilst we contemplate this intercession for the Jews at that period, how strongly are we reminded of our duty towards them at this time, when they have borne the indignation of Jehovah, not for seventy, but seventeen hundred, years; and when, so far from being restored to their country, they are still scattered over the face of the whole earth ! The state of peace too which Europe now enjoys, leave us at liberty to seek their welfare in a way which was scarcely practicable in the midst of war. Our attention now may be more deeply fixed on them, and our means be more liberally employed in their service. And shall we neglect to improve the opportunity ? Shall we see all the nations recovering from their distresses, and feel no desire to impart blessings to God's ancient people, who are still in as disconsolate a state as ever? Does not gratitude to God, and love to immortal souls, demand this at our hands ? Methinks the present circumstances of the world afford us an occasion, not unlike to that which the Samaritan woman enjoyed, when conversing with Jesus ; who said to her, " If thou hadst known who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water e. Yes, if we duly appreciated the benefits we now enjoy, we should labour to improve them, for the spiritual welfare of ourselves, and of all around us.]
What success we might hope for is manifest from the whole tenour of,
II. Jehovah's answer —
" The Lord answered the Angel with good and comfortable words."
What this answer was, we are afterwards more distinctly informed —
[The Angel who had interceded, kept not the answer within his own bosom, but imparted it to the prophet, and commanded him to communicate it to the people, for whom the intercession had been made. In substance it was this ; That God had de- termined to restore Jerusalem ; and that, notwithstanding her condition was in appearance hopeless, it should become more prosperous than at any period of her former history. As for those who had oppressed her, or were now at ease and regard- less of her welfare, he was " sore displeased with them," and would require it at their hands : but Jerusalem herself should yet become the joy of the whole earth, enriched and comforted with all imaginable blessings f.
The promises contained in this answer, doubtless have a primary reference to Judaea at that time : but they also look
e John iv. 10. f ver. 14 — 17.
1239.1 Christ's intercession for Jerusalem. 441
forward to a period yet future, when the Jews shall return from their present dispersion, and be re-established in their own land. A beautiful description of that period is given in a sub- sequent chapter of this prophecy g as also in numberless
other passages of Holy Writh ]
Say now whether these be not " good words, and comfortable words ?"
[The re-establishment of the Jews in their own land at that time, and the restoration of divine worship in the midst of them, was an unspeakable blessing, for which no adequate thanks or praise could be rendered. But what will their future restoration be ? How replete with happiness to them, and with honour to their God! Taken in connexion too with their spi- ritual welfare, and the welfare of the whole Gentile world, which will be promoted by it, how utterly will it surpass all human expectation, and all finite conception ! Verily, " the light of the moon will in that day be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven-fold, as the light of seven days." Let the promises then that relate to it be " good" in our esti- mation, and a source of " comfort" to all our souls.]