II. THE FUTURE EMINENCE OF JERUSALEM, This capital of Israel was to become" yet" (i.e., however apparentl[ unli~ely, however apparently delayed) the religious capital of the world. As forotellmg this, we have portrayed to us hero: 1. .A great .fourner, resolved on. We see (1) manypilgrimsassembiingtogether,people who have "cities' and settled habitations (" inhabitants," bis) of their own, leaving those cities to visit, this (comp. Heb. ~i. S-10, 14-16; xiii. 14). 'l'hese pilgrims have (2) R. common, purpose, the inhabitants of one city inviting those of others, and 'Volunteering them.: selves, to go up (Ps. cxxii. 1). They have also (3) a very earnest purpose : let us go' "perseveringly " (Pusey), till we obtain what we seek-till our feet actually "stand": (Ps. cxxii. 2) where we desire. And they have, finally, (4) a most suitable a.nd la.uda.ble purpose, even that of finding that presence of Jehovah which is to he found in that city a.lone; and a.re not seeking to reach it merely as a means of reaching something beyond. 2. .A great .foiirney accomplished. (Ver. 22.) The pilgrims have arrived at last. How mighty in number! " Many people shall come;" a.nu come to seek God. How mighty also in significance! "Strong nations," who might have come as invaders, a.re here as suppliants before God (comp. Isa. Ix. 3, 11, etc.; ii. 2-4; and the almost identical passage in Micah iv.1-8, noting specially "the first dominion''). III. THE FUTURE DIGNITY OF THE JEW; i.e. of every individual enjoying, in those days, the na.tura.l citizenship of this iUustrious city. Even when far from its walls, every such citizen (something II.!! with those referred to in Acts ivi. 37, 38; xxii. 25-29, etc.) would be a.lmost II.!! much en object of homage as that city itself. Note what is here shown : L As t.o the depth of this homage, men being willing even to sink their own distinctive names in that of an Israelite, even as a. woman does when she marries (comp. Ruth iii. 9; Isa. iv. 1; and contrast Pilate's indignant question in John xviiL 35). 2. Its e::etent. How many would do thus ! viz. as many as ten to ea.eh Jew. How manifold, also, they would be! viz. out of "ail languages"upon earth. Wherever their dwelling, w ha.tever their diversities of race, training, customs, or speech, they would break through all to do this. 3. Its foundation. On the one band, negatively. The homage paid to this "citizen" is not due to anything else but his being "a Jew." On the other hand, positively. This homage is paid to him because, as being such, he is believed to be peculiarly favoured of God (see end of ver. 23; and Numb. x. 29, 32; a.nd contrast John iv. 20; see also end of ver. 22). 'l\wo brief lessons to conclude. 1. .As to Israel now. Let us ever think of God's ancient people with peculiar tenderness and respect. With tenderness, as is only proper, because of their having "seen better days." With respect, as is only becoming, considering their " great expectations." Whatever the exact application of the present prophecy, of this much we a.re sure (Rom. xi.,passim). Who, indeed, may not be proud of the name mentioned in John i. 47? 2. .As to ott'l'selves. When will the Jews be thus honoured? When they trnly seek God. So, therefore, of us, in our turn. We must never forget what it took Peter so much trouble to learn (Acts x. 34, 35).
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-23.-The future gwry of the Church. God speaks. Formerly stern rebuke ;· here sweet encouragement. Glowing picture of the good time coming. L Gov's A.BIDING LOVE TO HIS CHUBOH. There a.re times when it would seem as if God had cast off his people. " Has God forgotten to be gracious? " Here is the answer. "I am jealous," et,e, There is real, intense, and a.biding attachment. Words of good cheer verified by facts. "I am returned," etc. II. Gov'e GRACIOUS F-UJtPOSE TO RESTORE me CHURCH. God's withdrawal was because of sin. But for a. season. When we return to God, he will return to us. The very rightetr..eness tb.a.t obliges him to punish the impenitent, binds him to bless the penitent. The light will shine more and more. Times of revival are times of refresh- ment. The release of the captives pledges freedom to all. The return of the exiles prophesies of the final restoration. IIL Gov'e DELIGHT IN THE PBOBPEBITY OF HIS CHURCH. (Vers. 4-6.) Sweet and ravishing picture. So far fulfilled in the heroic times of the Maccahees (1 Mace. xiv. arr. vnr. 1-23.] THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH. 83