debarred. In the promise of God-by the atoning death of Christ-through the ministry of grace, the fountain bas been opened for all (John xix. 34; 1 John i. 7; Heb. ix. 13). 2. Plenitude of supp'ly. Not a pool or a cistern, but a fountain 1 with rich and ample supplies for all. Thousands and tens of thousands have already been blessed, and whosoever will may come, and will find that Christ is mighty to save. 3. Perennial virtue. Not like Bethesda, at certain times; but all the year round, nnd from generation to generation. After many years' absence 1 I visited the home of my youth. There were sad changes. Friends were gone. None to know me. But under the shade of firs, in the old place, I found the spring where I had often slaked my thirst. It was still the same-the water sweet and refreshing as ever, So Obrist is "the Same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."-F. Ver. 7.-The sword. There is here something of heaven and earth, Jehovah speaks. He lays his command on the sword of justice, to awake and "smite." This implies death, and death not of a common sort, but as a judicial act, under the sanction of law. We rake the scene to illustrate the tragedy of Calvary (Matt. xxvi. 31; John xvi. 32). Three questions may be asked. I. WHo? The rebellious Babylon, Rome, Jer11Selem? No. "The man that is my fellow." Who is this? Search, and where can you :find such a one? Abraham was God's friend, but not his "fellow." Prophets and kings, martyrs and confessors, all stand aside. None but Christ answers the description. He is the First and the Last and the only One, in human likeness, who could say, "I and my Father are One." II. WHY? Justice has its reasons. All that God does must be in accordance with eternal right. But here is mystery. The Man who alone was "without sin," holy and perfect-the solitary man, in human form, who was nearest of kin to God himself -to be dealt with as if he were a transgressor, and as if he bad done things worthy of death.,-this is exceeding strange. The key is in the term "Shepherd." Implies covenant relationship. Substitution of person and of sufferings. The One for the many ; the Shepherd for the sheep. Ill. WHAT THEN? We reasonably expect results worthy of such a tragedy. Two- fold. I. Judgment. Not only as to the disciples, but the Jewish people. 2. Mercy. Tender compassion. Gracious interposition. Glorious resolve. "I will turn my hand upon the little ones." Let us note that there is but one alternative-hand or sword. If we pass by God's hand stretched out to save, we must perish by the sword. "It is 11, fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."-F.
Vers. 1-6.-77ie gospel age. "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered," etc. Concerning the preceding chapter and these six ven;es, Dr. Keil says, "This section forms the :first half of the second prophecy of Zachariah concerning the future of Israel and of the world, viz. the prophecy contained in eh. xii.-xiv., which, as a side-piece to eh. ix.-xi., treats of the judgment by which Israel, the nation of God, will be refined, sifted, and led on to perfection through conflict with the nations of the world. This :first section announces how the conflict against Jerusalem and Judah will issue in destruction to the nations of the world (eh. xii. 1-4). Jehovah will endow the princes of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem with marvellous strength to overcome all their foes (vers. 5-9), and will pour out his spirit of grace upon them, so that they will bitterly repent the death of the Messiah (vers. 10-14), and purify themselves from all ungodliness (eh. xiii. 1-6)." "'.l'he day" here is generally supposed by expositors to point to the gospel age; and three remarks are here suggested in relation to this day. L IT IS A "DAY" FOR THE ABOUNDING OF SIN-CLEANSING INFLUENCES. "In that day there shall be e. fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem." This phrase comprehended the whole Jewish nation. To the Jews, washing from sin and ceremonial impurity was an idea with which they were well ncquainted. It was enjoined by the Law (Numb. viii. 7; flee also E1.ek. xxxvi. 25). l. Tl,u.t sin a,nd uncleannea6 a,re in tM wQ1'ld, This is a fact written in all history, ou. xm. 1-9.J THE BOOK OF ZECRAlUAll. 153