Chapter 8:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Haggai Malachi
Zechariah 8
Concise Complete
The restoration of Jerusalem. (1-8) The people
encouraged by promises of God's favour, and exhorted to holiness. (9-17) The
Jews in the latter days. (18-23)
Verses 1-8 The
sins of Zion were her worst enemies. God will take away her sins, and then no
other enemies shall hurt her. Those who profess religion must adorn their
profession by godliness and honesty. When become a city of truth and a mountain
of holiness,
describe a state of
great outward peace, attended with plenty, temperance, and contentment. The
scattered Israelites shall be brought together from all parts. God will never
leave nor forsake them in a way of mercy, for this he has promised them; and
they shall never leave nor forsake him in a way of duty, as they have promised
him. These promises were partly fulfilled in the Jewish church, betwixt the
captivity and the time of Christ's coming; and they had fuller accomplishment in
the gospel church; but the full import must be as to the future times of the
Christian church, or the future restoration of the Jews. With men this is
impossible, but with God all things are possible; so far are God's thoughts and
ways above ours. In the present low state of vital godliness, we can hardly
conceive that so complete a change can be made; but a change thus extensive and
glorious, can be brought to pass by the almighty power of the new-creating
Spirit, in less time than he was pleased to employ in creating the world. Let
the hands of all who labour in the cause of the gospel be strong, serving the
Lord in true holiness, assured that their labour shall not be in vain.
Verses 9-17
Those only who lay their hands to the plough of duty, shall have them
strengthened with the promises of mercy: those who avoid their fathers' faults
have the curse turned into a blessing. Those who believed the promises, were to
show their faith by their works, and to wait the fulfilment. When God is
displeased, he can cause trade to decay, and set every man against his
neighbour; but when he returns in mercy, all is happy and prosperous. Surely
believers in Christ must not trifle with the exhortation to put away lying, and
to speak every man peace with his neighbour, to hate what the Lord hates, and to
love that wherein he delights.
Verses 18-23
When God comes towards us in ways of mercy, we must meet him with joy and
thankfulness. Therefore be faithful and honest in all your dealings; and let it
be a pleasure to you to be so, though thereby you come short of the gains others
get dishonestly; and, as much as in you lies, live peaceably with all men. Let
the truths of God rule in your heads, and let the peace of God rule in your
hearts. Thus the ancient servants of God drew the notice of heathen neighbours,
whose prejudices were softened. A great increase to the church shall be made.
Hitherto the Jews had been prone to learn the idolatries of other nations: what
more unlikely than that they should teach religion to their conquerors, and to
all the principal nations of the earth! Yet this is expressly foretold, and it
came to pass. Hitherto the prophecy has been wonderfully fulfilled, and no doubt
future events will explain it further. It is good to be with those who have God
with them; if we take God for our God, we must take his people for our people,
and be willing to take our lot with them. But let not any one think that mere
zeal, either for Jews or Gentiles, will stand in the place of personal religion.
Let us be living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men, so that others
may wish to go with us, and to have their portion with us in the realms of
bliss.
Chapter 8:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Haggai Malachi
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
