Vers. 9, 10.-Theuleal Mon<IIT'ch of the world. "Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion," etc. "In the former part of this chapter," says Dr. Wardlaw, "we found in the pro- gressive conquests of Alexander the Great and the favour which, in the midst of them, he showed to Jerusalem, the execution of God's vengeance, as here threatened, against the enemies and oppressors of his people, along with his protecting care over his people themselves. By the reference to these speedily coming events, and in them to the career of that mighty prince and warrior--of whom it has been strongly said that, having conquered one world, he sat down a.nd wept that he had not another to conquer -the prophet, under the impulse of inspiration, is rapt into times more distant; and fixing hi~ eye on a King and a Conqueror of a very different description, invites his people, in terms of exulting transport, to hail his coming." That these verses point to the advent of Christ is an opinion entertained both by Jewish and Christian exposi- tors. The references in Matt. x:ri. 1-5 and John xii. 12-16 contribute not a little io the confirmation of this opinion. Anyhow, the words depict a Monarch the like of whom has never appeared amongst all the monarchs of the earth, and the like of whom is not to be found on any throne in the world t<rday-a Monarch, the ideal of whom is ree.lized in him whom we call with emphasis the Son of man and the Son of God. There are five things here suggested concerning this Monarch. L HERB IS .A MoNABCB THE ADVENT OF WHOM IS A :MATTER FOB BAPTUBOUB JOY. "liejoioe greatly, 0 daughter of Zion; shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem." What lilllcere, thoughtful man, in any kingdom on the face of the earth, has any reason to look forward to-c.ay with rapture to the successors of any of the monarchs of the earth ? In most cases there are sad forebodings. Christ's advent to the world was announced by the gladsome music of angelic choirs. "Glory to God in the highest," etc. Why .rejoice at .his advent? Because he will (1) promote all the rights of mankind; (2) remove all the calamitus of mankind. lL HEBE IS .A MONARCH THE DIGl>'ITY OF WHOM IS UN.APPBOAOBED. " Thy King oometh unto thee." " Thy Ki.og." Thou hast never yet had a true king, and there .is no other true king for thee; this ie thy King. 1. The King who alone has the absolute right to ,,.u1,e the.e. Thou art his-his property. All thy force, vitality, faculty, belong to him. 2. The King who alone can 'l'emove thy evils and promote thy 'l'ights. ill HEBE IS A MONARCH THE CHABAOTEB. OF WHOM IS EXOEPTIONALLY GOOD. 1. He i,a righteous. "He is just." The little word "just" comprehends all virtues. Hfs who iJ; jllllt to himself, just to hie Maker, just to man, is the perfection of excellence, is all that Heaven requires. 2 He ia h,'IVIT/)Jl6. "Lowly, and riding upon an ass," Where there is not genuine humility there is no true greatness; it is essential to true majesty. Pride ie the offspring of littleness; it is the contemptible production of a contemptible mind. No man ever appeared in history whose humility approached the humility of Christ. "He was meek and lowly in heart;" he "made himself of no reputation." How different is this righteous, humble character from that of human monarchs! How often have their moral characters been amongst the foulest abomina.- ti0ns iri the foulest chapter of human history I on. n. 1-17.] THE BOOK OF ZEOHARIAH. 103
IV, J-11mE 18 A MONARCH WHOSE MIBBION 18 TRANB0ENDESTLY BENEFICENT. 1. It is remedial. "Having salv::d,ion." Salvation! What a comprehensive word! Delivemnce from all evil, restoration to all good. Worldly monarchs often bring destruction. They have never the power, and seldom the will, to bring salvation to a people. Any one can destroy; God alone can restore. 2. It is specific. "An<l I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen." He will put an end to the "chariot," the "horse," the "battle bow," of war, and "speak peace" to the nations. Peace I ThiR is what the nations have always wanted. War has been and still is the great curse of the nations. Here is a King who speaks peace to the nations. His words one day shall be universally obeyed. "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid," etc. (Isa. xi. 6-9). V. HERE 18 A MoNAROH THE REIGN OF WHOM IS TO BE UNIVERSAL. "And his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth." The language here employed was universally understood by the Jews as embracing the whole world. He claims universal dominion; he deserves it, and will one day have it. "'l'he kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God and of his Obrist," etc. CONCLUSION. Learn: 1. '!'he infinite goodness of God in offering to the world such a King. It is the world's great want. 2. The amazing folly and wickedness of man in not accepting this Divine offer. Not one-tenth of the human population have accepted him. What ingratitude is here I and what rebellion! Yes, and folly too. It is his characteristic and his glory as a King that he does not force his way to dominion. He submits himself to the choice of mankind. This monarchy is a moral monarchy, a monarchy over thought, feeling, volition, purpose, mind.-D. T.