The work to which he was appointed was, to build the temple —
[The material temple was now rebuilding under the auspices of Zerubbabel and Joshua. In reference to that, the prophet speaks of another temple (of which that which was now erecting was but a type or shadow,) which should in due time be raised by the Messiah himself; and he repeats his declaration both to denote the great importance of it, and the certainty of its accomplishment. This temple is no other than the Church of God, which Jesus Christ has founded on the earth, and against which neither the power nor the policy of hell shall ever prevail g.]
To him also, as the only builder, was to be given
all "the glory"—
[Whatever instruments he uses, they can effect nothing but through the agency of his Spirit. Whether Paul plant or Apollos water, it is Christ alone that can give the increase h. The workmen in the material temple might say of the carved work, This and that was the work of my hands ; it was formed by my skill, and is a monument of my power : but, in the Church of God, there is not one stone laid in the whole build- ing, which was not dug from the quarry, fitted for its place, and fixed in its station by the hand of Jesus : and the chisel has as much right to boast against him who worketh with it, as any instrument, which the Lord may use, has to arrogate to himself any part of his honour1. When "the top-stone shall be brought forth with shoutings," there shall not be one in heaven or earth, who will not ascribe the glory to the Divine Architect, crying, " Grace, grace unto itk!"]
As his work was to be glorious, so were also,
II. The offices whereby he was to execute that work —
Mean as his appearance was, he was appointed to bear the highest offices :
1. He was to rule both as a King and as a Priest —
[As " King of kings and Lord of lords," he erects his throne over all in heaven and earth. But he exercises also a government which the Father has committed to him in his mediatorial capacity. This relates more immediately to the Church, the minutest concerns of which are all subject to his controul1. But though a King, he executes also the office of a
g Matt. xvi. 18. Eph. ii. 20, 21. h i Cor. iii. 7.
» Isai. x. 15. k Zech. iv. 7. > Eph. i. 22.