The Pulpit Commentary — Zechariah — Section 137

thoso who had beon identified with it for so many generations. 2. How this desc·rip• tion of safety is justified, (1) It is so if we take ver. 5 as it stands, by the thorough confidenco of the "governors" in the people of Jerusalem. They acknowledge this people to be their "strength," not with their lips only, but in their "heart." (2) Such confidence is a great element of safety, especially when combined, as in this lnstanco, with an equal amount of confidence, on the part of both rulers and ruled, in Jehovah himself (see end of ver. 5). (3) For such a combination renders those rulers, like that famous general who spoke of his well•tried army as "able to go anywhere and do anything," an amazing power to their city in the way of protection and defence. At any rate, so it was God made them to be in this instance. Like flame when applied to things most inflaµimable, so would he make them a.midst the foes of his people, viz. equally sure and equally swift to consume. How safe a city when all those who threaten it can thus effectually be destroyed! ' II. JERUSALEM HUMBLE. See: 1. Why this humi'lity was secured; viz. because of its vital importance. If either the leaders (" the house of David") or the people should begin to "magnify themselves" on account of those effectual means of defence just described, they would at once be in danger again (Prov. xxviii. 26; Jer. xvii. 5, 6, etc.). 2. Bow this humiUty was secured. The beginning of deliverance was to be in soJDe'thing apart from Jerusalem, as it were. In something, also, that at first sight she might be inclined to despise. Such deliverance will, therefore, be like a "soldiers' victory" in its way, Rather, like that deliverance we read of in 2 Kings vii., which 0egan with certain despised outsiders, and was clearly not their work, but God's. "'l'he Lord shall save the tents of Judah first." Observe the triple emphasis in these words. III. JERUSALEM STRONG. Stroilg: 1. Because of the gracious continuance of God:s care. Whatever he had already done for his people, so long as they are enabled to remain truly humble and trustful, that he will go on to do still (see Hos. xiii. 1; Prov. xviii. 12; Isa. lxvi. 2). 2. Because of. the abundant results of God:s blessing. The very feeblest amongst them should be made, in desir~ and intention, like the very strongest, in that way, previously known (1 Sam. xiii. 14; 1 Kings ix. 4; xv. 3, etc.). The leaders amongst them should be leaders indeed-persons deserving to be f o71owed as closely and fully as the Angel-Jehovah, of whom we afterwards read, as in 1 Pet. ii. 21, 22; John xiii. 15; Phil. ii. 5; 1 Cor. xi. 1, etc. This state of things (apparently) the complete fulfilment of Deut._x.xxiii. 29. Three things, as illustrated here concerning the prophetical Scriptures generally, may be noticed to conclude. 1. Their obscurity in many points. On the one hand, e.g., the specially distinctive mention both of" Jerusalem" and of" J uda.h," and the singu- larly local complexion of the end of ver. 6, point us to a literal view of the whole. On the other, the mention of the house of David, which has so long since vanished from sight, and the apparent connection of it with our Divine Redeemer as the true New Testament "David" (Ezek. xxx.iv.; xx.xvii.; Acts ii. 29-31), point us almost as strongly to a figurative and spiritual interpretation. Who can decide confidently between them till all is decided by the actual fulfilment of the prophecy? 2. Their plainness in others. That some exceedingly blessed and glorious condition or things, either in the literal or the spiritual Jerusalem---or, it may be, in both together-is here fore-described, who can doubt? What this condition of things is to depend on, and how to be brought about, also seem very plain. This whole prophecy, in short, is at present, as are so many others, like a "proof before letters." We can only guess at present about the name of the landscape which it sets before us, but we can appreciate its loveliness to the full. 3. Their profitableness in all. So far as obscure, they serve to teach us the three great Christian duties of patience before God, humility as to ourselves, and forbearance towards others. So far as plain, they are fitted to animate our hope and sustain our cournge and direct both our faith and our walk (2 Thess. iii. 6; 2 Pe_t. iii. 14; Rom. xv. 4, etc.). Vers. 9-14.-Wonderful sorrow. "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations," etc. '!'here is much that is striking in the apparent connection of this passage with th&t before. Just when God shall be seen by his people to be "seeking" and bringing about (see ver. 9) the overthrow and HO THE BOOK OF ZECH ATllAH. [en. xu. 1-14.