The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 121

t-he buildings they gloried in would thus perish. They would perish tlms, (1) howover costly, even though e.lmost bu!lt, as it were, of the precious cedar (Jor. xxil. 13, 14); nud (2) however ve.ried, whether coro~&r-able to "cedar," or-" oak," or cypress; e.nd fiually (3) however strong, or "mighty, even If comparable (see margin) to f\ "dcfenced forest-." Nothing would save the whole collection of buildings from being uttorly "spoiled" and destroyed. Well might those buildings be called upon, in the bole! le.ngue.ge of prophecy, to" howl" at such 11n outlook I Aud abundantly was all thi~ fulfilled when the Roman ploughshares ploughed the ground on which the temple nuu fortress of Jeruse.lem had previously stood. II. OF 1'HE PRIESTS. These are compared, in vr.r. 3, to "shepherds" and "young lions," as showing, perbe.ps, on the one band, what they ought to be to the commonalty of Israel, nnd, on the other band, what they ought to be to its foes (see Ps. lxxviii. 70-72; ~n. xlix. 9, 10). We see: l. Ho,v complete their destruction. This cYidenced (1) by their" howl" of despair. With the destruction of Jerusalem cnme that of the whole Jewi~h polity and liturgical service; and with that also for ever ,1cparted nil the glory of the then ruling classes of Jewry. How great the emphasis in this connection, of Matt. xxiii. 381 Also (2) by their "roar" of fury like that of young lions, the" pride," or terror, of the whole valley of Jordan, when driven there- from by its "swelling" (Jer. :xlix. 19). W11at is there that so excites the deepest :mgcr as the utter humiliation of pride (comp.John xi. 48; xii. 10, 11 ; Matt. xxvii. 18)? 2. :How just their destruction, and that also in two separate ways, Namely, (1) by theu- neglect of others. Though they belonged to the flock, ae being its "own" shepherds, appointed to tend and care for it, they "pitied" it" not" (contrast Matt. ix. 36). Though the flock belonged to them, ns being, in a sense, its "possessors," instead of preserving the flock they "sell" and "slay" it (see Matt. xxiii., almost passim). Also (2) by their satisfaction with themselves. They see no sin in their conduct; "tbey hold themselves not guilty." They even see cause for thankfulness to God in its results: "Blessed be the Lord ; for I am rich " ( comp. Luke xii. 1; xvi. 14-). Can any men more deserve to suffer than those who" glory" thUB "in their shame" (Phil. iii. 19)? III. OF THE rEoPLE AT LABGE-OF THE "FLOCK." Of this destruction, note : 1. How solemnly it was predetermined. The very appellation here given, viz. the "flock of slaughter," si,,"lllfies as much. Almost all, also, that is said respecting the flock-" I will no more pity;" "I will delh-er" to evil; "I will not deliver" therefrom-implies as much. 2. How terribly it was accomplished. Whether (1) as to extent-the very "land" itself, as well as its "inhabitants," being "smitten" for their sakes; or (2) as to the agency used, the destruction in question being effected partly by their mutual jealousies and internecine contentions as "neighbours,'' and partly by their common madlless in preferring '' Cresar" to "Christ" as their "king." See the well-known account of Josephus, in which the final overthrow of Jerusalem and the Jews is traced almost equally to the unwilling action of Titus without, and the furious folly of the factions within. Under both e.specte it was a marvellous case of political self~destruc- tiou, as described in this passage. _ In conclusion, there arc just two other points to observe ·and admire, viz.: 1. How inezhaustible is GO<i's mercy! In this awful scene of destruction, with ,all its aggra- vated guilt, shameless hypocrisy, and suicidal infatuation, the light of tbat mercy is yet not wholly extinguished. '!'here are som~ in this" flock ?f slaugh_ter" who are_ to be" fed" (ver. 4). So, in the case of the Noa.ol1111n Deluge, and ID that-of the destruction of Sodom there were some to be saved. So it is said, also, that in the fearful, final destructio~ of Jerusalem-and the fact may possibly be referred to in the words now before us-the Christians were saved by their flight to Pella. 2. How discriminating are God's _fudgmentsl Tl1e people were guilty here as well as theirleaders (Jer.· v. 30, 31). 'l'herefore the people are visited with -anger as well as their leaders (see Isa. xxiv. 2; Hos. iv. 9). The people, however, being less privileged and instructed, are also, in some measure, less guilty (see Jer. v. 4, 5). The people, therefore, though punished as well are not punished as much (see above, about some of these being "fed;" also bdo;,,.., in ver. 7, about the "poor of the flock;" compare such passages as Matt. xi. 20-24; Luke xi. 29-32). 'fLe acknowledgment of David in Ps. Ii. 4, end, will be tbt acknowledgment of all "in that day.'' orr. xr. 1-17.J THE IlOOK OF ZECHARIAH. 123