Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 12

1 THE burden of the word of the LORD for Israel saith the LORD , which stretcheth forth the heavens , and layeth the foundation of the earth , and formeth the spirit of man within him.

Vid. This whole passage, chap. 9.1. let. a, b, c.

Or touching, concerning, as Gall. version upon, against, Heb. bears it, and some take it in one, some in the other sense, though I think the main of the chapter perswades it is to be rendred, for, in the behalf of Israel, i. e. the Church of Christ among the Jews untill their rejection, and among the Gentiles ever since their vocation, both have their concern in the things here foretold,

Who giveth out promises of great things to a people in a very low state, and therefore to raise their hope tells them by his Prophet what he hath done.

As a curtain saith Isa. 40.22. who did more easily spread abroad the Heavens, then any creature can spread forth a curtain about your bed, or a canopy over your head; by an Almighty power going along with the act of his will, saying let it be, all that immense body of the material, visible Heavens immediately spread forth it self.

Upon his own almighty word, on that the chief corner stones thereof do lye, Iob 38.4, 5, 6. Isa. 51.13.

In admirable wisdom and with more especial artifice framed so Heb. imports, as Isa. 43.7. and 46.11.

The immortal soul, tha[illegible: 1 letter] spiritual Being which animateth us, who hath done all this he can do all that is here promised for Israel, and threatned against Israel's Enemies.

Marginal references: Isa. 42.5.; Num. 16.22. Eccl. 12.7.

2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about , when they shall be in the siege both against Judah , and against Jerusalem .

That weak, unwalled, poor, and thinly inhabited City Type of the Church, and much more the Church which is Antitype to Ierusalem.

They shall drink their own [illegible: 1 letter]ane whose Swords be drinking the blood of the inhabtitants of this Ierusalem, there is poyson mixt in the cup of the wrath of God which he will put into the hands of such wicked ones and they must drink it off.

To the Heathen round about, to all of them, all have more or less at one time or other molested Ierusalem and God remembers it, and hath provided for them a cup of astonishment, against the day in which they besiege her, thinking then to finish all their attempts against Ierusalem.

Strange siege laid against a whole Countrey, and mighty powers will be little enough to do this, it requires a most extraordinary provision, now when all this is in readiness and no visible means of escape, then will God make them drink the Wine of astonishment and cast them into a dead sleep.

The Land of Iudah.

Typical and mystical, the Church of Christ.

Marginal references: Or, s[illegible: 1 letter]umber, or, poyson.; Or, and also against Iudah shall he be which shall be in siege against Ierusalem.

3 And [illegible: 1 letter]n that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces , though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

In the times of the Heathens afflicting the Church, from the repair of Ierusalem, till Christ's coming in the Flesh, and in succeeding times since, but the day of the full accomplishment of this Prophesie is a day known to the Lord.

Too heavy for them though many join together to remove it.

Though all people of this known World should burthen themselves with her.

They would be crushed to pieces, as a man that falls under a weighty and massy stone.

Many Nations have been confederate, now if you would suppose all through the whole World in league against Ierusalem, yet they could not stand under the weight of his displeasure who is provoked by such attempts, he would grind them to powder.

4 In that day saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment , and his rider with madness , and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah , and I will smite every horse of the people with blindness .

Vid. ver. 3. let. o.

Horses are of very great use in Wars, they were the main strength of Antiochus Epiphanes; his best preparations.

A dull, sottish fear, and perplexity.

An impotency of mind both in the understanding, which is folly and imprudence, and in the will and resolution which is either Cowardice or unconstancy, like madmen that neither know how to resolve or act. God will turn all their counsel into foolishness▪ their strength into weakness, their courage into fear, and so overturn them all.

A while I seem'd as one that slept or wink'd at the proceedings of my Churches Enemies, yet now I will open mine eyes, and see all that is going forward against them, and I will watch over my people for good, against their Enemies to confound and destroy them, and their enterprizes, this eye of God open upon his people is his wise, powerful, gracious Providence, for them, Psal. 31.22. Ier. 24.6.

All their Warriours in their projecting, and consults shall be as full of improvidence, and have as little foresight, as a stark blind man hath of sight to see by.

5 And the governours of Judah shall say in their heart , The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God .

The Counsellors and Rulers at home, and the Leaders and Captains abroad, the Maccabees and others every one for himself

Shall think, believe, and reckon upon it, and be hearty in it.

Though but few, and poor, yet they shall be my strength, and these shall be ready and forward to go forth against their Enemies, with an handful of men to encounter mighty and numerous Armies, because their strength, and help lyeth in the name of the Lord of hosts.

Not in their own Power but in the power of the Almighty Sovereign Lord of all who can save by few as by many.

And because their God he will give them victory.

Marginal references: Or, there is strength to me and to the inhabitants, &c.

6 ¶ In that day will I make the governours of Judah like a hearth of fire among the wood , and like a torch of fire in a sheaf ; and they shall devour all the people round about on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place even in Jerusalem .

See ver. 5. let. b.

A hearth throughly on which fire is kindled.

The more is laid on, the more is consumed and burnt up, so the enemies of Iudah and Ierusalem shall be, their multitudes shall no more save themselves then much wood cast on a great fire in the hearth can preserve it self.

Which immediately sets the whole sheaf on fire, and it is consumed.

The Governours of Judah with their handful of men shall thus surely and speedily consume their Enemies which set upon them.

As indeed it was and continued so till Christs Death and forty years after, for of these times doth the Prophet speak, and not of times still to come.

Not built as Nineveh, Tyrus, Babylon, or Rome, in some place near to the old Cities of that name, but in the very same place where old Ierusalem did, shall re-edified Ierusalem again stand.

So you shall find Ierusalem in Ierusalem, or thus, spiritual Ierusalem shall be that Ierusalem in which you ought to look, and where you shall find the old Typical Jerusalem which though it lye waste, and I fear must never be built, yet is in more ample manner built up in the Church, spiritual Jerusalem.

7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first , that the glory of the house of David , and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnifie themselves against Judah.

Rescue from the power and rage of the Antiochus's; nay, subdue their Armies, and put them to flight before the Iews

The unfenced places, the open Countrey, the Shepherd-like Cottages, or Tents of Iudah.

Before he saveth Ierusalem, before he put Jerusalem into arms, or bring her Inhabitants into the field, to fight, and help the Countrey, and its Inhabitants; first the weaker are saved next the stronger.

That the illustrious house of David, and so the glorious Citizens of Ierusalem.

Boast of their Power, Policy, Courage, and forwardness, and how much Iudah owed to these for their deliverance: This would exasperate Iudah, and provoke God, who would do all this, so that all might magnifie their God, none think greatly of themselves.

8 ¶ In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem , and he that is feeble among them, at that day shall be as David , and the house of David shall be as God , as the angel of the LORD before them .

See ver. 3. let. o.

As he had defended, and saved Iudah, and the Tents thereof; so will he also defend Ierusalem, and its Inhabitants against all their Enemies, during the Persian, Graecian, and beginnings of the Roman Empire, during which dayes many Wars were raised against the Jews, but most visible was this, when the Maccabees succeeded so far, as to restore Religion, and cleanse the Temple.

Reeleth through weakness.

A mighty man of valour was David, so these through faith of the weak became strong, as Heb. 11.34.

Those of the Royal Line shall be for Prudence, and Prowess in the Conduct of the Armies of Israel most excellent, exprest here in an Hyperbole.

Or as Angels, so Elohim is translated Psal. 8.3. and so I find the French reads it (Comme des Anges.)

Nay, like the Angel of the Lord, which is head of Principalities, like Christ who is Captain of our Salvation. In these exploits, and in this deliverance of the Church they were Types, and so must have somewhat in them which may be sufficient to resemble them to him.

These excellent ones of the Royal Line were to be Leaders and Commanders in these Wars, and in their Conduct they should shew prudence and valour like that of an Angel, rather than that of an ordinary man.

Marginal references: Or, abject.; Heb. fallen.

9 ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem .

This also shall certainly come to pass.

God the Defender and Saviour of Israel.

This speaks not any difficulty to God in the work, as with men, who sometimes do seek to do what they cannot do, but this implyeth God would throughly do it, his right hand should find out these his Enemies, he will hunt them out.

Not to restrain, but to overthrow and destroy.

Without partiality, every nation that sets it self to oppress and destroy Jerusalem, God will pay them in their own Coin, they said blot out her Name, but God will blot out theirs; let us, say they, cut them off from being a Nation, but this God will turn upon their own heads.

Combine, and attempt to destroy her, and this was evidently seen upon those that sought to destroy Jerusalem, and the second Temple before Christ's Incarnation: for by the Romans God destroyed the Antiochian Power which had often mischiefed the Jews, and destroy'd the other Kingdoms which had been Enemies to the Jews, who were never in danger of being cut off from being a Nation, till their horrid murthering of the Lord of Life.

Literally and historically the City which the Captives returned from Babylon did build, but mystically the Catholick Church which God will never suffer to be destroyed, he will rather destroy all Nations, than suffer them to destroy his Church.

10 And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem , the spirit of grace , and of supplications , and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced , and they shall mourn for him , as one mourneth for his onely son , and shall be in bitterness for him , as one that is in bitterness for his first-born .

God the Father, so Acts 2.17, 18. and Isa. 44.3.

In plentiful measures, as a plentiful rain is poured forth on a thirsty ground; this was fulfilled on Christ's Exaltation, when he received gifts for men, and being glorified, gave the Spirit, sent the Comforter to his Disciples and Believers, this is dayly performed to the Children of God, and will be continually performed till we all are made perfect, and are brought to be with Christ for ever.

On some of that Royal Family, or Typically considered 'tis the whole Family of Christ, his House, who was the seed of David, and who is called David their King, Ezek. 37.24. Hos. 3.5.

Literally understood it was fulfilled extraordinarily, Act. 2.4, 5. and no doubt in the ordinary manner, to many of whom no mention is made▪ mystically the Inhabitants of Jerusalem are all the Members of Christ, all believers of all ages.

Which is fountain of all Graces in us, and which makes us lovely in the eye of our God, Grace to purifie us, and to beautifie us, that God may delight in us.

Or Prayer, which is an early, inseperable Fruit of the Spirit of Grace by the Spirit, we cry, Abba Father, and Rom. 8.26. and are helpt to perform this Duty.

All those who have received this Spirit

with an eye of Faith, and turn to Christ, love, obey, and wait for him.

Every one of us by our sins pierced him, but many of the Jews nailed him to the Cross, and actually murthered the Lord of Life. This, as foretold, so was very punctually fulfil'd and recorded in the account of his Death given by John 19.34, 35▪ and 37. this hath then a particular respect to the Jews, though not confin'd to them.

Grieve, and heartily lament the crucifying the Lord Jesus Christ, not only as the sinful cruel act of their Fathers, but as that in which their sins had a great share.

With a very great and deep, with a long and continued sorrow, with an unfeigned and real sorrow, such as is the sorrow of a Father in the Death of an onely Son; they shall retain it inwardly, and express it outwardly, as in the Funeral Mournings on such occasions.

This speaks the inwardest affection of the Mourner, there may be tears in some cases without grief, or bitterness in the Spirit; but here both are join'd, true Repentance will bitterly lament the sins which brought sorrows and shame upon our Lord.

This bitterness compared to the grief of one who loseth his first-born, to confirm and illustrate what he had just before spoken of Christians mourning for Christ.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]; [illegible: 1 paragraph]; [illegible: 1 paragraph]

11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

When the Jews shall know, own, and mourn for their sins, and for that great sin in crucifying the Lord of Glory.

A very great mourning, which is exprest by the greatest the Jews ever were acquainted with, and which for its greatness grew up into a Proverb. The mourning of Hadadrimmon, or the mourning for Josiah slain at Hadadrimmon a Town in the Valley of M[illegible: 1 letter]giddon. Of this mourning, see 2 Chron. 35.24, 25.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]; [illegible: 1 paragraph]

12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart , the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart: the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart.

Land put for the Inhabitants of it, and Land in General; for the Land of Judaea, or that where the Jews dwelt who should every where bear a share in this mourning; Thus some of the Jews from every Country where they dwelt, being met at Jerusalem, were prick't at heart, and did mourn over the crucified Messiah, Acts 2.5. with 37. and 41.

Or Family by family, exprest in Hebr. Families, Families.

The Royal Family in both branches of it, Solomons and Nathan's, this Family as having greatest Portion in Christ, should have been most tender of him, who had been Heir on the Throne; if his Kingdom had been of this World, and by descent from David, but since they forgot him, neglected to do their duty to him alive, they remember him, and do their duty towards him dead; they mourn really and truly.

The manner of the Jews in mourning was by shutting up themselves, retiring from Company and Pleasure, here Families retire, nay, in the family, wives retire to bewail their sin, and their Fathers sin in rejecting Christ. Some there were of this Family who believed in Christ, and mourned when the Gospel was first publisht to the Jews before 'twas carried to the Gentiles.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]

13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart: the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart.

The sacerdotal Tribe was the most bitter and fierce Persecutors of Christ, they hired the Traytor, they sought witness; The High Priest, (head of that Family) condemned him to dy, for all which they shall one day reckon with God, and therefore above other Tribes they are particularly named as chief Mourners for their injustice and cruelty to Christ. Here is one particular branch of Levi's Family mentioned, the Family of Simei, of whom 1 Chron. 6.17. and 27.10. These two Families had been deeply guilty, now they do as eminently concern themselves to mourn for him, to lament the sin, deprecate the fierce Wrath of God, and submit to his Kingdom, which their Fathers did not, would not do. In this Family where most were bitter, bloody Enemies to Christ, some had other thoughts of him, and mourned for him.

14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

It would be somewhat tedious to repeat every Family and their Wives once, therefore a general comprehensive account may serve; some of every Family of the whole remnant of Israel mourn, believe, look to, and obey Christ the Messiah. So the mourning for Christ bears some proportion to their violent dealing against Christ, and they through Faith live by the blood they did spill, and get to Glory by him whom they loaded with reproaches; what will not Grace do when it converteth, accepteth, comforteth, glorifieth such offenders?