The
re-establishment of Jerusalem and the house: judgment of
what was wicked
From chapter 2 to the end
of chapter 6, the Spirit presents the circumstances, the
principles, and the result of the re-establishment of
Jerusalem and of the house; and also the judgment of that
which was wicked and corrupt. Each chapter has a distinct
subject—a vision detached from the others, while
forming a portion of the whole. The present
responsibility, on which the blessing depended, and the
sovereign grace that would assuredly accomplish all, are
both set before us, each in its place.
Jerusalem's
restoration: return from captivity and the manifestation
of Messiah
The restoration of
Jerusalem is described in chapter 2 in a very remarkable
manner, which throws much light on the connection,
already spoken of, between the return from the Babylonish
captivity wrought by Cyrus, the servant, the righteous
man from the east, and the deliverance to be granted by
the manifestation of the Messiah. First of all, the full
and entire restoration of Jerusalem is announced, Jehovah
Himself being her safeguard, and securing prosperity and
peace to her inhabitants, Himself, her glory, dwelling in
the midst of her. We can easily understand what an
encouragement such a promise, and such an interest on the
part of Jehovah in Jerusalem, would be to them in their
then state, even if the accomplishment were not then
brought about.
The return under
Cyrus not the full accopmlishment of God's purposes
Jehovah calls to the
people, and bids them come forth from the land of the
north, an expression used for Chaldea, for they had been
scattered to the four winds. The Babylonish captivity was
the real sentence of Lo-ammi, as the return thence
(Babylon being judged) was the earnest of a better
deliverance from that which, in the last days, will
represent Babylon. Zion is delivered, from her captivity
in Babylon. But if, up to a certain point, this took
place by means of Cyrus, it was by no means the full
accomplishment of God's purposes. They were continuously,
and yet are, subject to the heathen image and
superscription. And, in a more special manner, the Jews
will again be in subjection to that which bears the
character of Babylon, and will be delivered from it; but
it will be in those days when Jehovah shall manifest
Himself in a glory that will admit of no resistance to
His will. After the glory He will send to the nations
that have spoiled Israel. The glory of Jehovah shall
appear, and the enemies of His people shall be judged;
for he who touches Israel, the beloved of Jehovah, shall
bring judgment upon himself in that which is most dear
and precious to him. The judgment of the nations shall
justify the word of God to His people Israel.
Future full
blessing
The daughter of Zion
should sing with joy, for Jehovah would dwell in the
midst of her. Many nations should come and join
themselves to Jehovah in that day, and should be His
people; and He would dwell in the midst of Israel. And
then the word of prophecy (the accomplishment of which
had been so long suspended that it appeared like a dream
of the night) should be justified to Israel by its entire
fulfilment. Jehovah should inherit Judah as His portion
in the holy land, and should again choose Jerusalem.
Solemn period! Let all flesh then be silent; for Jehovah
has risen up from His holy habitation to accomplish all
the good pleasure of His will.
We see, that, however
great might be the encouragement for the Jews in that
day, the mind of the Spirit goes on to the end of the
age, and to the manifestation of the glory of Jehovah,
and the blessing of Jerusalem and of the whole earth. The
return from Babylon, already accomplished historically,
was still future as the true deliverance of Zion. All
flesh should acknowledge the coming of Jehovah. These
were judgments which should take place after the glory.
Zechariah 2 Bible Commentary
John Darby’s Synopsis
From chapter 2 to the end of chapter 6, the Spirit presents the circumstances, the principles, and the result of the re-establishment of Jerusalem and of the house; and also the judgment of that which was wicked and corrupt. Each chapter has a distinct subject—a vision detached from the others, while forming a portion of the whole. The present responsibility, on which the blessing depended, and the sovereign grace that would assuredly accomplish all, are both set before us, each in its place.
Jerusalem's restoration: return from captivity and the manifestation of Messiah
The restoration of Jerusalem is described in chapter 2 in a very remarkable manner, which throws much light on the connection, already spoken of, between the return from the Babylonish captivity wrought by Cyrus, the servant, the righteous man from the east, and the deliverance to be granted by the manifestation of the Messiah. First of all, the full and entire restoration of Jerusalem is announced, Jehovah Himself being her safeguard, and securing prosperity and peace to her inhabitants, Himself, her glory, dwelling in the midst of her. We can easily understand what an encouragement such a promise, and such an interest on the part of Jehovah in Jerusalem, would be to them in their then state, even if the accomplishment were not then brought about.
The return under Cyrus not the full accopmlishment of God's purposes
Jehovah calls to the people, and bids them come forth from the land of the north, an expression used for Chaldea, for they had been scattered to the four winds. The Babylonish captivity was the real sentence of Lo-ammi, as the return thence (Babylon being judged) was the earnest of a better deliverance from that which, in the last days, will represent Babylon. Zion is delivered, from her captivity in Babylon. But if, up to a certain point, this took place by means of Cyrus, it was by no means the full accomplishment of God's purposes. They were continuously, and yet are, subject to the heathen image and superscription. And, in a more special manner, the Jews will again be in subjection to that which bears the character of Babylon, and will be delivered from it; but it will be in those days when Jehovah shall manifest Himself in a glory that will admit of no resistance to His will. After the glory He will send to the nations that have spoiled Israel. The glory of Jehovah shall appear, and the enemies of His people shall be judged; for he who touches Israel, the beloved of Jehovah, shall bring judgment upon himself in that which is most dear and precious to him. The judgment of the nations shall justify the word of God to His people Israel.
Future full blessing
The daughter of Zion should sing with joy, for Jehovah would dwell in the midst of her. Many nations should come and join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and should be His people; and He would dwell in the midst of Israel. And then the word of prophecy (the accomplishment of which had been so long suspended that it appeared like a dream of the night) should be justified to Israel by its entire fulfilment. Jehovah should inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land, and should again choose Jerusalem. Solemn period! Let all flesh then be silent; for Jehovah has risen up from His holy habitation to accomplish all the good pleasure of His will.
We see, that, however great might be the encouragement for the Jews in that day, the mind of the Spirit goes on to the end of the age, and to the manifestation of the glory of Jehovah, and the blessing of Jerusalem and of the whole earth. The return from Babylon, already accomplished historically, was still future as the true deliverance of Zion. All flesh should acknowledge the coming of Jehovah. These were judgments which should take place after the glory.