CHAPTER II _The vision with which this chapter opens, portended great_ _increase and prosperity to Jerusalem. Accordingly Josephus_ _tells us, (Wars v. iv. 2,) that "the city, overflowing with_ _inhabitants, extended beyond its walls," as predicted in the_ fourth _verse, and acquired much glory... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:4. _RUN, SPEAK TO THIS YOUNG MAN_] Nehemiah must have been a _young man_ when he was [Persian] _sakee_, or cup-bearer, to Artaxerxes. AS _TOWNS WITHOUT WALLS_] It shall be so numerously inhabited as not to be contained within its ancient limits. _Josephus_, speaking of this time,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:5. _I - WILL BE UNTO HER A WALL OF FIRE_] Her safety shall consist in my defence. I shall be as _fire_ round about her. No adversary shall be permitted to touch her. Much of this must refer to the _New Jerusalem_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:6. _FLEE FROM THE LAND OF THE NORTH_] From Chaldee, Persia, and Babylon, where several of the Jews still remained. See Zechariah 2:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:8. _AFTER THE GLORY_] After your _glorious deliverance_ from the different places of your dispersion; _He hath sent me unto the_ _nations which spoiled you_, that _they_ may fall under grievous calamities, and be punished in their turn. On _Babylon_ a great calamity fell, when besi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:9. _I WILL SHAKE MINE HAND UPON THEM_] I will _threaten_ first, and then stretch out my hand of _judgment_ against them. _A SPOIL TO THEIR SERVANTS_] To those whom they had formerly _subjected_ to their sway. As the _Babylonians_ to the Medes and Persians; and so of the rest in th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:10. _I WILL DWELL IN THE MIDST OF THEE, SAITH THE LORD_] This must chiefly refer to the _Christian church_, in which God ever dwells by the power of his Spirit, as he _had_ done by the symbol of his presence in the first Jewish temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:11. _MANY NATIONS SHALL BE JOINED TO THE LORD_] This most certainly belongs to the _Christian church_. No _nation_ or _people_ ever became converts to the Jewish religion, but _whole nations_ have embraced the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:12. _THE LORD SHALL INHERIT JUDAH HIS PORTION IN THE HOLY_ _LAND_] This is a promise of the final restoration of the Jews, and that they should be God's portion in their _own land_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Zechariah 2:13. _BE SILENT, O ALL FLESH_] Let all the nations of the world be astonished at this. God will _arise_, and deliver this ancient people, and bring them into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.... [ Continue Reading ]