true religious life. It was the absence of this ,vbich made the Jewish Church the dead tliing (Luke Hii. 3i) that it was, like the old world and Sodom (Luke xvii. 27, 29) when _No~h and ~?t had ~one out ot them. All their many other privileg011 (see Ro_m_. 11. l 1 -20; m. 1, 2; ix. 4, 6) were of no avail without this. 2. For all true reh~1ous "!'ork. It was the presence of this, secured by that coming and work of Chmt which we have supposed to be referred to in ver. 3 (comp. Acts ii. 33), which encountered a~d overcame both the Jewish Church and the Gentile world (see Acts i. 8 • !· 32; 1 Pet. 1. 12). How essential, indeed, was that gift, which more than supplied' 1n one sense, the presence of Christ himself (John xvi. 7-10) ! ' l'"ers. 6-12.-The restoration qf Israel. "And I will strengthen the house of Judah," et~. The separate me:ition in this passage (vers. 6, 7) of Judah, Joseph, and Ephraim, taken t?gether_ 'lntb that of Gilead, Lebanon, Egypt, and .Assyria, in \'ers. 10, 11, seems an 1nd1cat10n that we now have to do especially with Israel "after the flesh." The previous verses spoke of "the times of the Gentiles " and of the areat spiritual conquests to be inaugurated amongst the Gentiles during those time~ by teacher-warriors of Jewish birth. "Jerusalem" itself, however, in all the mean time, was to be "trodden down of the Gentiles" (Luke xxi. 24). What was to happen to it when that long "tribulation" (Matt. xxiv. 29; Mark xiii. 24) should be over? The present passage seems to reply, teaching us, apparently, that the literal Israel should then be restored (1) to their former favour; and (2) to their former inherita,nce. , I. THEm RESTORATION TO FAVOUR. We may notice: 1, Its reality; as shown by the expressions, "I will strengthen" ( comp. Ps. lxxx. 14, 15, 17); "I will save ; " "I have mercy upon them;" "I will hear them" (comp. Ps. lxvi. 18-20). 2. Its universality; as embracing both "Jndah" and "Joseph," the two rival and long- divided leading families of Ja9ob (see Isa. xi. 13, 14; Jer. iii. 18; Ezek. xxxvii. 16, 17, etc.). 3. Its completeness. What "Judah" needs, viz. "strengthening," being :iccomplished for it; what "Joseph" needs, as having been more heavily punished, viz. "saving," being accomplished for it; and that, in both cases, so effectually as entirely to obliterate the evil past: "They shall be as though I had not cast them o:ff." 4. Its blessedness. Causing special rejoicing and exhilaration, like that occasioned through "wine." 5. Its solidity. Causing joy in the "heart" (comp. Ps. iv. 7, and context). 6. Its permanence. Their "children" sharing in the joy as well as them- selves (comp. Isa. lxv. 22, 23, "their offspring with them"). II. THEIR RESTORATION (APPARENTLY) TO PALESTINE. See, generally, ver. 6, "I will bring them again to place them." And observe, more particularly: 1. The call. They are to be summoned aloud (" I will hiss," comp. Isa. v. 26), as people living afar off; also as people belonging to God, because "redeemed ; " as rightly also belonging to that place in which they had formerly "increased" so amazingly ; and possibly, once more, as having been long intended for this very destiny, like seed "sown" (ver. 9) with the ultimate object of reaping a harvest to correspond. 2. The response, However "far off," however widely clispersed, when that call is given, they will "remember" that voice, and hear it; and, together with their children (see end of ver. 9), prepare to return. 3. The return. In correspondence with this preparation, tbey are (1) to be "brought out" of the countries of their dispersion, whether lying, like "Eo-ypt," to the south, or lying, like "Assyria," to the north; and (2) are also, in :. ma~ner as wonderful and as humbling to their enemies as when the Red "Sea. n and the "river" Jordan in former days had been divided and dried up before them, to be "brouo-ht into" their ancient possession ; and that further, (3) in such exuberant numbers :s not only to occupy the trans-Jordanic region of Gilead, but even a territory like that of Lebanon almost beyond the limits of ancient Israel; and not, even so, to have sufficient room ( end of ver. 10; comp. Isa. xliL 20). 4. The happy result. 'l'he Rtrength of their enemies (end of ver. 11) being for ever broken, and they themselves being "strengthened in Jehovah," they shall be able to treat the whole land then as fully their own (comp. Gen. xiii. 14-17); they themselves, also, as God's own people, doincr everything therein in his Name (Ps. lxvii. 6; Micah iv. 5; Col. iii.17). These things may teach us, in conclusion: 1. To take an ever-increasing interest in, Turu:/', lot. Whether right or wrong in our view of details, the general principle ie itLduubted. The future history of the world, as its past history, turns on the history OIL X, 1-12.] '!'HE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH. 111
of Abraham's seed (Ge~. xii. 8, etc.). 2. To p"l<u6 ever-in<YT'easing confidence in Israel's God. In whatever circumstances, through whatever vicissitudes, under whatever provocations, how amazingly faithful to his ancient promise (Rom. xi. 1, 28, 29) !
HOMILIES BY V.A.RIOUS .AUTHORS. Vers. 1, 2.-Prayer for temporal blessings. I. .AGREEABLE TO OUR cIRCUllfS'l'ANCEB. Dependent. In want. Instinctively turn to God. We have his Word to cheer us; the record of his deeds to comfort us; the testimony of his saints to encourage us. II. CONDITIONED BY TIIE NE0ESSITY OF THINGS. There are limits. Pia.inly there are things which it would be reasonable, and others which it would be unreasonable and foolish, to ask. "Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter," said our Lord. The flight was a nflcessity, but the time and manner were within the range of things unsettled. This seems hinted at here by the condition, "in the time of the latter rain." III. SHOULD BE SUBORDINATED TO OUR SPIRITUAL GOOD. The soul is more than the body. It may not be necessary for us to live, but it is necessary that we should abide in the love of God and do his will. "Rain" is symbolic of spiritual blessings. Only God can give rain, and only God can give the quickening, invigorating, sanctifyin"0 influences of the Holy Spirit. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God." IV. SHOULD BE OFFEBED IN IIUMBLE SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF Goo. He is infinitely wise and holy and good. Let us trust him, for he cannot will us aught but good. v. SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY EARNEST USE OF ALL LAWFUL MEANS. It is an old saying that "God helps those who help themselves." Prayer without work is fanaticism and folly; but prayer and work is the highest wisdom and the surest way to success. " Wherefore criest thou unto me?" said the Lord to Moses. "Speak: unto the children of Israel, that they go forward" (Exod. xiv. 15).-F.