The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 98

Vers. 7, 8.-...4. visitation of mercy. ".And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth," etc. The key to this passage seems to be in its very last words (comp. Exod. ill. 7 and end of ver, 6). In the preceding verses we saw how God "visited" the nations bordering on Israel with a " visitation of judgment." Here we seem to read how he visits his own people with a " visitation of mercy." He does so, apparently, in two principal ways, viz. (1) indirectly, by converting theilr enem,it,s; and (2) directly, by defending themselves. L IN CONVERTING THEIR ENEMIES. (Comp. Prov. :xvi. 7.) Of this conversion, as described in ver. 7, three things should be noted. 1. Its completeness. This evidenced, partly, by the doing away of that especial outward token of religious distinction connected with "eating the blood" (see Lev. :xvii. 10, 11; Ps. xvi. 4; Ezek. :x:x:xiii. 25); and partly, also, by the fact of this greatly prized heathen indulgence being given up when "between the teeth," and so when most enticiug and pleasant (comp. Jonah iii 8, " the violence that is in their hands"). 2. Its extent. It would apply to all the Philistines that " remained; " and to all of them, also, in such a manner that every one of them individually (" he that remaineth, even he") should be on the God of Israel's side. 3. Its importance. Every individual so gained would be as great a. source of strength as a " governor," or captain of a. thousand ; and every band of them (so the concluding phrase of ver. 7 may signify) as great an advantage as when their origi1Jally indomitable enemy, the "Jebusite," became, in the person of Oman or Araunah, the king-like giver of the very site on which their temple was built (see Josh. xv. 60; J udg. i. 21; 1 Cbron. x:xi. 15; 2 Sam. x:xiv. 18; 1 Chron, :xxii. 1). In supposed fulfilment of al.I this, some have noticed what Josephus relates as to the way iu which the Philistines, many years afterwards, identified themselves with the Jews. But we are, perhaps, on safer ground if we notice, with a similar view, how completely, in New '£estament times, the Philistines have disapl!ea.red from sight as enemie~ of the Jews; and how much, also, we read of the early tnumphs of the gospel in their part of the land (see the mission of St. Peter as related in Acts ix. 32-43; :x.; xi. 1-18). Was not Cornelius as important to the Gentile Church as Ara.unah to the J ewi6h temple? II. IN DEFE~'DING THEMSELVES. Here also three features to be specially marked, Notice: 1. 'l'he completeness of this defence. In many ways there would be danger: in the mere existence of an "army" or hostile body; in its close proximity to them when in movement, and that, both when" passing by" and also when "returning;" perhaps, also, in the terrible character and exceptional might of that army's comman~er, as signified by what is twice said here so emphatically abo1.1t "him" in connection with err. 1x. 1-17.] THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH. 97