MPV Commentary

Introductory Exhortation to Repentance. The Visions.

God fulfilled His threats against your fathers; beware, then, lest by disregarding His voice through me, as they did in the case of former prophets, you suffer like them. Zechariah aims at awakening the Jews from their selfish negligence to obey God's command to rebuild His temple (Hag 1:4-8).

The Lord is sore displeased with a vehement displeasure, exhibited in the destruction of the Jews' city and in their captivity.

Turn ye unto me ... and I will turn—this means that if you return to me, then as a sure consequence, I will return to you (Mal 3:7; Jas 4:8). Although God has brought you back from captivity, this state will not last long unless you are really converted. God has heavier scourges ready, and He has begun to give symptoms of displeasure.

Be ye not as your fathers—the Jews boasted of their fathers, but Zechariah shows that their fathers were refractory, and that ancient example and long usage will not justify disobedience (2Ch 36:15, 16). The former prophets aggravated their guilt because they had the law and were often called to repent by God's prophets.

Your fathers ... and the prophets, do they live for ever? In contrast to "My words," which "endure for ever" (1Pe 1:25), your fathers have perished as foretold; and their fate ought to warn you. But you may say, The prophets too are dead. I grant it, but still My words do not die: though dead, their prophetical words from Me, fulfilled against your fathers, are not dead with them.

Beware, then, lest ye share their fate.

The statutes—My determined purposes to punish for sin—which I commanded my servants to announce to your fathers. Did they not take hold—that is, overtake, as a foe overtakes one fleeing? They returned, turning from their former self-satisfaction and recognizing their punishment as that which God's prophets had foretold.

The general plan of the nine following visions (Zec 1:8-6:15) is first to present the symbol; then, on a question being put, to subjoin the interpretation. Although the visions are distinct, they form one grand whole, presented in one night to the prophet's mind, two or three months after the prophet's first commission (Zec 1:1).

By night—a man, Jehovah, the second person of the Trinity, manifested in man's form, an earnest of the incarnation; called the "angel of Jehovah" (Zec 1:11, 12), "Jehovah the angel of the covenant" (Mal 3:1). Being at once divine and human, He must be God and man in one person.

Riding—implying swiftness in executing God's will in His providence; hastening to help His people. Red horse—the color that represents bloodshed: implying vengeance to be inflicted on the foes of Israel (compare 2Ki 3:24). Among the "myrtles" (Zec 1:8), Messiah stands, interceding for them with the Father effectively.

The attendant angels report to the Lord of angels, "the earth ... is at rest." The flourishing state of the heathen "earth," while Judah was desolate and its temple not yet restored, is the powerful plea in the Divine Angel's intercession with God the Father. When Judah was depressed to the lowest point, and the heathen elated to the highest, it was time for Jehovah to work for His people.

Not only does Messiah stand among His people (the "myrtles," Zec 1:8), but He intercedes for them with the Father effectively. The Lord answers and says, "How long?"—Messiah's people pray similarly to their Head. It is time to pray to Thee for the fulfillment of Thy promise, seeing that Thy grace is not yet fully manifested, nor Thy promise fulfilled.

The Lord speaks good words and comfortable words—the subject of these consolatory words is stated in Zec 1:14, &c.; the promise of full re-establishment (Jer 29:10, 11). Cry—proclaim so as to be heard clearly by all. I am jealous for Jerusalem—as a husband jealous for his wife, wronged by others, so Jehovah is for Judah, who has been injured wantonly by the heathen.

The Lord is very sore displeased with the heathen—in contrast with "I was but a little displeased" with My people. God's displeasure with His people is temporary and for their chastening; with the heathen oppressors, it is final and fatal (Jer 30:11). The heathen are at ease—carnally secure. A stronger phrase than "is at rest" (Zec 1:11).

I am returned—with mercies—not merely of one kind, nor once only, but repeated mercies. My house shall be built—which at this time had only its foundations laid (Hag 2:18). It was not completed till the sixth year of Darius (Ezr 6:15). The measuring-line for building, not hastily, but with measured regularity.

Yet—though heretofore lying in abject prostration. My cities—not only Jerusalem, but the subordinate cities of Judah. God claims them all as peculiarly His, and therefore will restore them through prosperity... spread abroad—or overflow; metaphor from an overflowing vessel or fountain (compare Pr 5:16). Abundance of fruits of the earth, corn and wine, and a large increase of citizens, are meant; also spiritual prosperity.

Comfort Zion—(Isa 40:1, 2; 51:3). Choose—(Zec 2:12; 3:2; Isa 14:1). Here meaning, "show by acts of loving-kindness that He has chosen." His immutable choice from everlasting is the fountain whence flow all such particular acts of love.