Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Zechariah
Book: Zechariah
Chapter: 2
Overview:
The prosperity of
Jerusalem.
(1-5) The Jews called to return
to their own land.
(6-9) A promise of
God's presence.
(10-13)
1-5 The Son of
David, even the
Man Christ Jesus, whom the
Prophet sees with a measuring line in his
Hand, is the
Master-Builder of his
Church.
God notices the extent of his
Church, and will take care that whatever number of guests are
brought to the wedding-
Supper, there shall be room. This
Vision
means
Well to
Jerusalem. The walls of a
City, as they defend it,
So they straiten its inhabitants; but
Jerusalem shall be
extended as freely as if it had
No walls at all, yet shall be as
safe as if it had the strongest walls. In the
Church of
God
there yet is room for other multitudes, more than
Man can
number. None shall be refused who trust in
Christ; and He never
shuts out from
Heaven one true member of the
Church On Earth.
God will be a
Wall of
Fire round them, which can neither be
broken through nor undermined, nor can it be assailed without
danger to those who attack. This
Vision was to have its full
accomplishment in the
Gospel Church, which is extended
By
admitting the
Gentiles into it; and which has the
Son of God for
its
Prince and Protector; especially in the glorious times yet
to come.
6-9 If
God will build
Jerusalem for the people and their
comfort, they must inhabit it for him and his
Glory. The
promises and privileges with which
God's people are blessed,
should engage us to join them, whatever it costs us. When Zion
is enlarged to make room for all
God's
Israel, it is the
greatest
Madness for any of them to stay in
Babylon. The
Captivity of a sinful state is
By No means to be continued in,
though a
Man may be easy in worldly matters. Escape for thy
Life, look not behind thee.
Christ has proclaimed that
deliverance to the captives, which he has himself wrought out,
and it concerns every one to resolve that
Sin shall not have
dominion over him. Those who would be found among
God's
children, must save themselves from this world, see Ac 2:40.
What
Christ will do for his
Church, shall be an evident proof of
God's care and
Affection. He that touches you, touches the
Apple
of his
Eye. This is a strong expression of
God's
Love to his
Church. He takes what is done against her as done against the
tenderest part of the
Eye, to which the least touch is a great
Offence.
Christ is sent to be the Protector of his
Church.
10-13 Here is a prediction of the
Coming of Christ in human
nature. Many nations in that
Day would renounce
Idolatry, and
God will own those for his people who join him with purpose of
Heart. Glorious times are foretold as a
Prophecy of our
Lord's
coming and kingdom.
God is about to do something unexpected, and
very surprising, and to plead his people's cause, which had long
seemed neglected. Silently submit to his holy will, and
patiently wait the event; assured that
God will complete all his
work. He will ere long come to
Judgment, to complete the
Salvation of his people, and to punish the inhabitants of the
Earth for their sins.