Zechariah 2:1

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 during the time of the

Maccabees; although these promises, and particularly the

sublime image in the fifth verse, has certainly a still more

pointed reference to the glory and prosperity of the Christian

Church in the latter days, 1-5. See Revelation 21:1; Revelation 22:1.

In consequence of these promises, the Jews, still inhabiting

Babylon and the regions round about, are called upon to hasten

home, that they might not be involved in the fate of their

enemies, who were destined to fall a prey to the nations which

they had formerly subdued; God's great love anti zeal for his

people moving him to glorify them by humbling all their

adversaries, 6-9.

The most gracious promises of God's presence with his Church,

and her consequent increase and prosperity, set forth in the

remaining verses, 10-13,

were to a certain extent fulfilled in the great number of

proselytes made to Judaism after the return from the captivity;

but shall be more fully accomplished after the restoration of

the Jews to the favour of God under the Gospel. "For if the

casting away of the natural Israel be the reconciling of the

world, what shall the receiving of them be but life from the

dead?"

NOTES ON CHAP II

Verse Zechariah 2:1. A man with a measuring - line in his hand.] Probably a representation of Nehemiah, who got a commission from Artaxerxes Longimanus to build up the walls of Jerusalem; for hitherto it had remained without being enclosed.