B. Future Mercy, and that 1. Under Persian government, Zech. 8:3–7 2. Alexander and the Grecians, Zech. 9:9 3. In the Maccabees’ times 3. Encourage A. Joshua, Zec. iii B. Zerubbabel, chap iv 4. Threaten A. The enemies of the Jews, Zech. 1:21, Zech. 2:9, Zech. 9:1–8, Zech. 12:1–4, Zech. 12:9 B.

In the eighth month; called both Marchesvan and Bul by the Hebrews, and answers to part of our October and November. Two months after Haggai began to encourage the Jews to build the temple. Darius; son of Hystaspes, and the third Persian monarch: see Hag. 1:1; and again Zech. 1:15, at large.

The Lord, the holy, the mighty One, your God, the just Governor of the world, hath been sore displeased; so long provoked, that his displeasure at last enkindled within his breast, and broke out into that flame which hath consumed your land, city, and temple.

Therefore, Heb. And. Say; command and require. Unto them of the captivity who are returned to their own land. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; in my name, by the authority I have over them as Lord of hosts, require they hear and obey.

Be ye; you who have seen the sorrows of a long captivity, who are wonderfully brought back, who are under the teachings of rod and staff. The former prophets; all the former prophets, 2 Chron. 36:15–16. Cried; preached earnestly, frequently, and compassionately.

Your fathers, where are they? but where are your disobedient fathers? Are they not buried in a strange land? Did they not die of those diseases? Were they not consumed with famine and the sword, as was menaced against them? And the prophets: some apply this to the false prophets who promised peace,…

But my words, the dreadful menaces which I spake by my prophets, and my statutes, the decreed judgments which my provoked justice resolved to execute on them, which I commanded my servants the prophets; which by my prophets as my heralds I proclaimed and published.

Sebat, which answers to part of our January. Darius. see Hag. 1:1, Hag. 1:15. Came the word of the Lord, & c. see Zech. 1:1. The first sermon Zechariah preached was three months before this, and that sermon was reproof, which probably had good effect, as Zech. 1:6.

I saw: in a vision God communicates his word, mind, or will to the prophet. By night; either literally, it was by night that Zechariah had this vision, or with this it may note the obscurity and mysteriousness of the vision, for it may be emblematical, as the myrtles and the bottom are.

Then; so soon as he had seen and observed. Said I; Zechariah. O my Lord: this was Christ the Lord of hosts. What are these? what is the meaning of these appearances or visions? The angel; Christ, the Angel of the covenant; so I take this Angel, that promiseth to inform the prophet, to be the same…

The man that stood among the myrtle trees: see Zech. 1:8. Answered; gave answer to what I asked. These; horsemen. They whom the Lord hath sent; a periphrasis of angels, who are servants and ministers of the Divine Providence in the government of the world.

They; the ministerial angels, signified by the horses and horsemen. Answered the angel of the Lord; or rather, the Angel the Lord, the uncreated Angel, who sent them out, and receives account what they had done.

Then, when the surveying angels had made their report of the prosperity of the heathen, the angel of the Lord, the Angel, the Lord Christ, Mediator of the church, and Head of the church, answered and said; prays as one interceding.

The Lord, God the Father, answered the angel; Christ, the uncreated Angel, Lord of angels and Redeemer of Israel. That talked with me; who had first talked by signs and visions, and next by explaining the mind and meaning of them, and answering the inquiries Zechariah made.

So, i.e. when the Father had heard the Son and answered him; this is spoken to our apprehension, and so must be understood. The angel of the covenant, the Lord Christ. That communed with me: see Zech. 1:13.

And I; the Lord of hosts, God of Israel, am very sore displeased with the heathen; exceedingly angry, and will show it, that they may see and feel it, my displeasure is grown up to the highest against them. At ease; secure in their strength, sing a requiem to themselves and trouble to Israel.

Therefore; because the enemy hath so barbarously and inhumanly added affliction to the afflicted, it is time to save and relieve. I am returned: when I was departed, and had withdrawn my presence, thus cruelly were my people handled; but now I will return, I will be with them, my presence shall…

Cry yet: the prophet’s commission is either enlarged, or more full instructions given to him, to raise the hope and stablish the faith of the people of God.

Then; after I had seen those things, and heard those comfortable words, and received commission to publish all the good news I had heard. I lifted up mine eyes: he was so intent before, that he looked on nothing else; now he lifts up his eyes. Saw; clearly, certainly, and distinctly.

The prophet prays for information from the Angel, from Christ, who is the best Teacher. What be these? what may be the meaning of these horns, which I see, and know to be horns, and four in number? These are the horns, powers, states, and kingdoms, which have from all sides pushed at, broken, and…

The Lord; Jehovah, who before is the Angel, i.e. Christ, he is the eternal One, the great God. Showed me; both proposed the thing to be seen, and gave eyes to see and discern it. Four carpenters; known by their garb and tools to be carpenters, or smiths, as the Hebrew bears it.

Then, so soon as I could propose the question, immediately upon sight of the carpenters, said I, Zechariah, What come these to do? he saw they were men, inquires not who they were, but what was their business and design; perhaps it is fittest for us to rest also in the knowledge of what they are to…