The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 99

its movements. From all theso dangers defence is here promised. 2. Its secret. By God's own hand,: "I will encamp" ( comp. Pa. xx. 7 ; xu:iv. 7; 2 Kings vi. 17). For the sake of Gods own house, some expressly render the words, "about mine house" (oomp. Pa. cxxii. 9; 1 Kiags viii. 23). 3. Its results; viz. comparative freedom from oppression to God's people till their then work should be accomplished. They might be visited; they might bo attacked; but they would not, as before, be left to the oppressor's mercy and will. In apparent fulfilment of this part of the prophecy, we may notice, in the pages of history, how Ale-under, when engaged in besieuing Tyre, demanded the assistance of the Jews; how the high priest, Jaddua, refused ;n account of his previous oa~h to Darius; how Alennder threatened Jerusalem in consequence; how, after destroyrng Gaze., he passed by them to subdue Egypt; how he returned thence, vowing vengeance; how Jaddua and the priests met him, and showed him the prophecies of Daniel; how Alexander is said to have recognized in Jaddua. the same man as had long previously appeared to him in a dream ; how, on all these accounts, he not only spa.red the Jews, but promoted them, and la.id the foundation of a policy in regard to them which helped to preserve them till New Testament times (see Josephus and other authorities, as quoted by Wardlaw, and by Pusey in 'Minor Prophets,' and 'Daniel the Prophet'). Thus regarded, we seem taught for ourselves : 1. Bow God preserves those that are his-how variously; how wonderfully; how abundantly. Though unarmed themselves, they not only escape, they more than disarm, the vengeance of the conqueror of the world. 2. Why God preserves them, viz. because of their connection with his "temple "-in other words, with his Son (comp. John ii. 19-21; Col. ii 9; 1 Tim. ii. 6; Acts iv. 12; x. 43; xiii. 39, etc.). Vers. 9-12.-:-.A joyful kingdom. "Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion; shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem," etc. How sudden, how loud, how urgent, is this call to rejoice! No wonder; for in the bare fact announced here there is ample cause to rejoice. "Thy King cometh "-a King of thine own, not an alien king like him just spoken of. This possibly the connection of thought. Still greater the cause for rejoicing in what is said of this King; whether (1) to Zion herself; or (2) to her Gentile neighbours ; or (3) to mankind at large. I. To ZION HERSELF. Consider: 1. The purpose of his coming, viz.: (1) To save his people, not to condemn thorn (Luke ix. 56; John iii. 17, etc.). This the more necessary to specify, because of the righteousness or justice so specially attributed to him in this place. Although "just," he is coming to pardon. (2) To save his peoplP indeed. To save them not only from the guilt, but also from the practice and power of their sins; calling "sinners," but calling them to "repentance." Although coming to pardon, he is just (Rom. iii. 26). 2. The manner of his coming. How admirably this corresponds to his pw-pose! Being a King, he appears (for once at least) in befitting state, riding on an animal never employed before. Being also a Saviour, he comes in mercy and meekness, in the lowliest way a king could. II. To THE HEATHEN NEIGBDOURS OF ZION. As shown by the description given here: 1. Of the aspect of his kingdom towards them. " He shall speak peace to the heathen " (ver. 10). 'l'he Jews themselves seem to have expected otherwise; as shown to some extent by such passages as Acts i. 6; Mark x. 37; and specially by the extrerue unwillingness of the Apostle Peter to treat any Gentile whatever (Acts x. 4) as other- wise than common or unclean. This "enmity" (Eph. ii. 16) was to be so completely "taken away" that the very weapons of warfare were to be" cut off" and perish. A cause for rejoicing, indeed, when accomplished, both to believing Jews (Acts xi. 18) and to Gentiles (Acts xiii. 48). 2. Of the extent of his kingdom arnong them. ".Fro1u sea to sea," etc. (ver. 10). The reference, apparently, is to Ps. lx.xii. 8; also to thtt promise to Abraham in Gen. xv. 18; and ultimately to Ps. ii. 8. How this was fulfilled in gospel times we learn from such passages as Acts xi. 26 and xvii. 6; Rom. xv. 19; Col. i. 6. III. To MANKIND AT LARGE. Whether we consider: 1. The kind of persons saved. These would appear (from ver. 11) to be the worst cases of all-persons needing salvation the most. They ere described as being persons in prison; as being in its lowest pan, perhaps in its "pit;" as being there without means of subsistence; as l•,wing their ZECHARIAH. B  THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH. [oli, IJC, 1-17,