We have said at the beginning that Zechariah was sent for this end —
to encourage weak minds: for it was difficult to entertain hope in the
midst of so much confusion. Some, but a small portion of the nation,
had returned with the tribe of Judah: and then immediately there arose
many enemies by whom... [ Continue Reading ]
Now follows another reason for the prophecy, — that God interposes
and takes the part of his Church against Satan. Hence he says, _Rebuke
thee Satan let Jehovah, _(34) _rebuke thee let Jehovah, who has chosen
Jerusalem_. God speaks here; and yet he seems to be the angel of
Jehovah: (35) but this is... [ Continue Reading ]
Zechariah adds here another thing, — that Joshua had on mean
garments, but that new garments were given him by the angel’s
command. And by this he means, that though the priesthood had been for
a time contemptible, it would yet recover whatever dignity it had
lost. But he ever leads the minds of the... [ Continue Reading ]
We now see that he who is often said to be Jehovah is called an angel:
the name therefore of Angel as well as of Jehovah, I doubt not, ought
to be applied to the person of Christ, who is truly and really God,
and at the same time a Mediator between the Father and the faithful:
and hence he authorita... [ Continue Reading ]
The Prophet had said that Joshua was clothed in splendid and beautiful
garments, who had on before such as were sordid, and that this was
done by the command of the angel: he now adds, that he wished that a
still greater glory should be bestowed on him, for he saw that
something was wanting. He ther... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the Prophet shows for what purpose he gave Joshua his appropriate
dress and splendor; and he teaches us, that it was not done simply as
a favor to man, but because God purposed to protect the honor of his
own worship. This is the reason why the angel exhorts Joshua; for it
behaves us ever to co... [ Continue Reading ]
_Protest _then _did the angel of Jehovah to Joshua, saying, Thus saith
Jehovah, If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if my charge thou wilt
observe_, etc. The angel now briefly teaches us, that the priests do
not excel, that they may exult at pleasure; but he interposes a
condition, that they are to ex... [ Continue Reading ]
The angel shows here, that what had been hitherto shown to Zechariah
was typical; for the reality had not as yet come to light, but would
appear in its time. We have said that God’s design was to lead the
godly to the expectation of Christ; for these beginnings of favor were
obscure. It behaved them... [ Continue Reading ]
He more fully sets forth what we have observed in the last verse; but
he speaks figuratively. He says that there were seven eyes on the
stone which was set before Joshua; and that God would in one day take
away the iniquity of the land, so that nothing would prevent it from
recovering its ancient gl... [ Continue Reading ]
We see from this verse that a particular time is signified by one day;
for the Prophet wished to inspire the Jews with confidence, lest they
should think that their misery would continue, because God had
hitherto treated them with rigor and severity. Here then is shown to
them a sudden change. He th... [ Continue Reading ]