_The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers _ A CALL TO REPENTANCE The prophet being to carry comfortable tidings to this people, begins with the doctrine of repentance, inviting them not to obstruct their own mercy by impenitency; and to make way for this doctrine, he points out to them... [ Continue Reading ]
_Turn ye unto Me. .. and I will turn unto you._ THE DIVINE ORDER OF ALL TRUE PROGRESS The first step is at all times to turn to the Lord; the second follows, “turn you now from your evil ways, and from your evil doing.” The motive and the power to forsake evil must be found in himself. Once know Je... [ Continue Reading ]
_Your fathers, where are they?_ And the prophets, do they live forever? THE MORTALITY OF GOD’S INSTRUMENTS 1. The mortality of the instruments which God employs for carrying on His cause in the world. At the time these words were spoken, the patriarchs of antiquity, the seers of after times, the e... [ Continue Reading ]
_But My words _ THE DYING MEN AND THE UNDYING WORD The text comes from the first of Zechariah’s prophecies. In it he lays the foundation for all that he has subsequently to say. He points to the past, and summons up the august figures of the great pre-exilic prophets, and reminds his contemporari... [ Continue Reading ]
_I saw by night _ THE NIGHT VISION The anointed One of God and His kingdom are the centre and axis about which the fiery wheel of all Zechariah’s revelations and imagery turns. The vision in our text is both beautiful and consoling. Consider-- I. The time when it was seen. 1. The time. “By night... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am jealous for Jerusalem _ MERCY MINGLED WITH CHASTISEMENT “Jealousy is that particular uneasiness which arises in our minds from the fear that some rival may rob us of the affection of one whom we greatly love, or from suspicion that he has already done it. ” God’s jealousy, or zeal, denotes H... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies _ RETURNING MERCIES Jerusalem and Zion are laid waste, it is true, but not in anger, so much as in chastising love. God still loves them, and is jealous of any estrangement of their affections from Him, and when estranged He chastises them to bring them ba... [ Continue Reading ]
_My cities through prosperity _ ZION’S PROSPERITY Jehovah’s tender care of His living Church seems to be a prominent topic with the prophet Zechariah. Amid all the visitations Zion has experienced from her God in consequence of her departures, His heart has been set upon her eternal interests, an... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold four horns _ THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH’S ENEMIES Three things there are which this age of ours hath brought forth: malignant enemies, special instruments of their ruin, and great endeavours for reformation. Accordingly here are three visions: a vision of four horns (Zechariah 1:18); a vis... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the Lord shewed me four carpenters _ THE COUNTERBALANCING OF AGENCIES Evil agencies are counterbalanced by good--for there is a Divine providence always at work in this world. The prophet saw “four horns,” representing the powers by which Judah had been scattered; but at the same time he saw... [ Continue Reading ]