Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 14:4

4 ¶ And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives , which is before Jerusalem on the east , and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east, and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley ; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south .

Ver. 3. the Lord is said to come forth to fight for his people, this 4th. verse tells us where he will take his Post, or make a stand, viz. on Mount Olivet, which for its scituation, in its height, and nearness to Ierusalem, and the Temple might appear a convenient post for succours to post themselves on, God (speaking after the manner of men) promiseth succours to his Church, and assureth her of his nearness to her, and of the prospect he hath over all that is about her, or in her▪ that she might be encouraged to wait on God, who is so near to her.

A Geographical description of the scituation of this Mountain with respect to Ierusalem.

As if it were sensible of the Majesty of God, who stands upon it, this cleaves, [illegible: 1 word] melted, at the presence of the God of the whole Earth.

The consequent of this dividing of the Mountain, a mighty valley appears running strait from East to West; so there should be plain and easie access from the place of the feet of the Lord unto Ierusalem.

As if it knew how to comply with the design of God, and withdraw on each hand far enough out of the way, and be no hindrance to the intended relief of the Church. So I Judge (if these things were not by Vision represented to the Prophet, which I will not avow though I may think so) the Prophet doth Parabolically set forth the future preservation and deliverance of the Church of Christ, and suppose we then what wonderful effects the Presence of God wrought of old when ever he appear'd to rescue his people; how mountains fled, or melted, or sunk into plains, or as here is said divided, and made a deep, and large valley, i. e. how every obstacle removed, that the relief might be sure and easie; so shall it be with the Church of Christ, the Gospel-Ierusalem in all times of its troubles, and though Iewish-Ierusalem, that antient City be ruin'd, never to be built, yet a more excellent City, the Christian Ierusalem, shall be built, guarded, rescued, and never ruin'd; for the feet of the Lord shall stand so near to her, as Olivet to Ierusalem, and the way plain and easie before him on purpose to save her. In this manner I understand somewhat of the Text, but I cannot suit it with particular accommodation of the events here mention'd, if I look on it as a prediction of what shall be done, according to the letter, or be matter of History. Nor do I meet with any that do tell me any such thing hath been done between the time of Zechariahs prophesying, and Titus wasting and sacking Jerusalem, nor shall any such thing ever be if material Jerusalem never be built.