The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 83

III. CoProus ADDITION, Did t.hese visions seom very marvellous in the eyes of those to wbom they were shown ? Almost too good, in fact, to be true. Let suoh persons remember: 1. That they were Mt too marvellous fO'I" God's powe1·. Often had God sbown this kind of thing to be true (see Gen. xviii. 14; Jer, xxxii. 0-17, where note connection with the subject of restoration after Captivity, as in this instance), Let rnch per~ons understand of these promises: 2. That they were far beneath God, pr)ll'er, in real fact. Besides the remnant now brought back from tho Captivity he woulci bring others as well; not only those from the oast, but those from the ;est (ver. 7); not only also (ver. 8) those who were his people already but those who should become so in the fullest manner. Most probably much of the' meaning of this would be concealed at that time from the prophet's understanding, but even to see such distant peaks "afar off" (Heb, xi. 13), and above the clouds, as it were, would be a great help on the road. 'l'wo important lessons derivable to conclude. 1. How to receive God's WO'l"d, viz. as something not only perfectly sure, but also as something wondeifully significant and flVerflowingly full. It is with the secrets of grace as with those of nature; they can never be fully described, never altogether exhausted (see Eccles. iii. 11; viii. 17· Rom. xi. 33 ; Ps. xxxvi. 6; lxxvii. 19; and especially what is said in Job xi. 6, of th~ "secrets of wisdom," that they "a.re double to that which is"). 2. How to set forth God's truth, viz. as having both a sombre side and a bright one. Some are now preaching the gospel as though no such thing as repentance and judgment were mentioned in the Bible. Others confine themselves to repentance and judgment, as though there were no pardon or love. The right "proportion" (Rom. xii. 6) is shown us in our present passage combined with our last, and in such Scriptures as Ps. ci. 1; Rom. ii. 3-11, etc. Vers. 9-17.-Evidence offav()'ll,r. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong," etc. In the beginning of these verses we have the opposite of that with which the previoui, verses concluded. '!'here God confirmed his people in hoping for certain comparatively proximate blessings by assuring them of other and greater blessings which he designed afterwards to bestow. Here he confirms their hopes of what is more distant by pledging himself, as it were, to what is nearer. And this he does, we shall find, by drawing their attention (1) to the mercies of the present; and (2) to the judgments of the past. I. THE MERCIES oF THE PRESENT. (Vere. 9-13.) Three things, especially, to be noted regarding these. 1. How marked their character I Great' temporal mercies (ver. 12) are to be" now~ (ver. 11)-abundant produce both in the open "ground" and cultivated enclosure, abundant blessing both iu the soil itself and in that which came on it. These also all the more notable for coming after a widely different state of things, when, besides utter want (ver. 10), even for those most desirous to work, there was the common concomitant of such evils, viz. home dissension and strife; and that, wl,erever men were and whatever they did (see also Hag. ii. 16, 17, describing those same evil days). Who could avoid seeing and admiring so blessed a change? 2. Row striking their connection I This happy change in their circumstances had taken place simultaneously with a corresponding change in their doings. From the very day when, as it were, for the second time they "laid the foundation" of God's house (ver. 9; Ezra iv. 24; v. 1, 2), God had begun to prosper thus the work of their hands. "Before" then (ver. 10) was trouble; but "now" (ver. 11) "I am not" (so some) as before. This, too, we find occurring (see Hag. i. 9-11; ii. 15-19) in accordance with express promise to this effect. 3. How lwpeful their bearing I What was all this but plain evidence of a corresponding change, as it were, up above? And what might not be expected in future, such being the case? Even all promised in ver. 13, viz. that God's people should become as conspicuous now ~~r their prosperity as formerly for their adversity (see also Jer. xxiv. 9; xxv. 18; xln. 18, etc.). Much as when, from the very day on which a certain remedy is first employed, a sick man begins to improve. How easy then to believe the physician's assurance that he shall ultimately become better than ever! ll. THE JUDGIIIBNTB OF THE l'AST, This conviction further confirmed by going bt:11 further back in their history. For doing so shows: 1. The steadfastness of God's on. vm. 1-23.J THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH. 81