Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 2

1 I lift up mine eyes again , and looked and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand .

Zechariah.

This is the third Emblem, or Vision he had seen.

Very diligently, and intently.

One in form of a man, some say 'twas Christ, others say a Type of Nehemiah, it was an Emblem of some Master-builder to be sure, and its probable the Prophet took him for no more than a man.

He appear'd ready and prepar'd to lay out the platform of Jerusalem for extent, form, and beauty.

2 Then said I, Whither goest thou ? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem , to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.

It is evident, the Prophet did not in so bold a manner enquire before, which may possibly be for that he apprehended this man to be one lesser than an Angel; nor doth he ask the meaning of this Hieroglyphick, but understanding what it meant, the Prophet enquires onely where the platform was to be laid.

To take the exact dimensions of it, that it may answer Gods Promise, and be capable to receive its inhabitants.

The city which was to be built hereafter, but first the Temple is to be built.

Marginal references: S[illegible: 1 letter]e Rev. 11.1.

3 And behold the angel that talked with me, went forth , and another angel went out to meet him .

The great and glorious Angel, i. e· Christ Jesus himself, which had so long talked with Zechariah.

From the midst of the Myrtle-trees, where he was first seen; whither he is going is not said, perhaps to stand by, direct, and encourage, the person that was going to measure Jerusalem.

A created Angel, or a Ministerial Angel, as became his office, offers his service to Christ.

Who is Lord of Angels.

4 And said unto him, Run , speak unto this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, for the multitude of men and cattel therein.

Or, And he said. Or as the French, (lequel lui dit) which said unto him, so 'tis plain, that the Angel which now was going [illegible: 1 letter]orth, spake to that Angel which came to meet him, or gave him orders what to do.

Since you come so seasonably, hasten with all diligence▪ and from me tell that young man, Zechariah.

Which hath so long lain in rubbish, which I once delighted in, which now seems desolate, and hopeless.

Filled with inhabitants.

The Suburbs of it shall be as Towns unwalled for greatness of extent, and for safety, and freedom, from enemies and danger; Their own multitudes of men shall be some safeguard to them. And they shall have my presence, a better safeguard.

Brought thither for sacred uses, for sacrifices.

5 For I, saith the LORD , will be unto her a wall of fire round about , and will be the glory in the midst of her.

What was promis'd or foretold in the former Verse is ratified in this by an account how it should be performed.

That a thing so much above the hope of a present dejected people, so much too great for so weak, and so few a people, might be believed and expected, God engageth he will perform the word.

Which cannot be scaled, it would consume them that attempt it; nor undermined, none could come so near it. Such a wall as once was Elisha's Guard, 2 King. 6.16, 17. verses; to which this place may possibly refer. Or 'tis allusion to the manner of Shepherds and Travellers in those Countreys full of wild beasts to make fires in the night to secure themselves.

No part shall be unguarded, or open to the Enemy.

My Presence, and favour shall make her glorious, Isa. 4.5, 6.

Marginal references: Isa. 60.19.

6 ¶ Ho, ho , come forth , and flee from the land of the north , saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven , saith the LORD.

Since Ierusalem shall be safe, rich and glorious by the presence and blessings of her God, the Prophet calls to the sleepy Jewes, as men that need be awakned.

Set upon your Journey for your own countrey and city, come out from your captive Prisons.

Make all the haste you possibly can, and flee as men do who are pursued with danger, as men that are earnestly bent to get out of harms way, as the man-slayer to the city of Refuge. Heb. hath onely And flee, but our Translators have by that guested at what might fill up the expression, and read, Come forth, &c.

Babylon which lay North to Canaan.

As I executed my threats in scattering you, so I will perform my promise, and gather you from all quarters of the World; arise, come away therefore.

Marginal references: Is[illegible: 1 letter]. 48.20. & [illegible: 2 letters].11. Jer. [illegible: 2 letters]. and 51. [illegible: 1 letter]word Rev. 18.4.

7 Deliver thy self, O Zion , who dwellest with the daughter of Babylon .

The Proclamation for free return is publish'd, up then and be gone.

O ye people who should dwell in Sion, ye daughters of Sion.

Keepest in Babylon when thou mightest go to Jerusalem.

Perhaps this intimates that which kept many Jews in Babylon, Wives or Mistresses.

8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, After the glory hath he sent me to the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye.

Some refer this to what went before, as a reason why the Jewes should return, for God hath commanded it. I think 'tis an encouragement to the Jewes to return, because God had promised to make them a glory, and now assures them that he will take a very particular care of them, therefore sends his Son, as a Judge, or Vindex, against the Nations that had spoiled the Jewes, or God sends his Son to them to inform them that 'tis their interest to unite with the Jewes, and become the people of God, and be partakers of the Glory, and safety of Gods Israel. However to let them understand that 'twill be dangerous to do violence to Israel, as it would be dangerous to any one to violate what is most dear to him that can destroy the offender; to tell them Israel is the Apple of Gods Eye.

Marginal references: Deut. 32.10. Psal. 17.8.

9 For behold, I will shake mine hand upon them , and they shall be a spoil unto their servants , and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me .

Or lift up.

My power and strength.

Against the Nation and Kingdom that doth violence to the people, who are my glory, and I am theirs, saith the Lord.

Those people who comply not with him whom God sendeth.

Shall be overthrown and spoiled, and become a prey.

The Jewes who were first spoiled by, and then made servants to the Nations who conquer'd, captivated and hardly used the Jewes, and indeed this fulfill'd in Esthers days, and in the Maccabees times.

Either Jewes, or Heathen, or both.

Be convinced and own it.

The great and faithful God.

Hath commissioned Christ to inform them who are to make their choice what to do herein.

Marginal references: chap. 4.9.

10 ¶ Sing and rejoyce , O daughter of Zion , for lo, I come , and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.

Now Christ calls them to Rejoice in the goodness shewed to them, and to sing forth the Praises of him who shewed it.

The whole Nation of the Jewes, the peculiar, redeemed and restored people of God. They that had been in great and long captivity.

To execute Judgments on thine Adversaries, to complete thy deliverance and salvation, I come as foretold and promised, in the dispensations of Providence among the Nations, in the performance of Promises to you my people.

Pitch my Tabernacle, nay, build my Habitation, and House, and reside in it, give you my Ordinances, my Blessing, and my Presence. This was fulfill'd in part presently, and so through near 500 years, till Christ came, and ever since to his Gospel Church.

Marginal references: Isa. 12.6. & 54.1. Zeph. 3.14.; Lev. 26.12. Ezek. 37.27. Joh. 1.14. 2 Cor. 6.16.

11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day , and shall be my people : and I will dwell in the midst of thee , and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee .

And great Heb. implieth both multitudes, and greatness of Nations; or Heathen, and Gentiles; as the word beareth.

Become proselytes, enquire for, adhere to, and worship the God of Israel.

When God shall lift up his hand for his people against their Enemies, as Esther 8.17. when Christ shall be come in the Flesh, and shall take down the partition wall.

Covenant-people, to love▪ fear, worship, and obey Christ.

See ver. 10. let. a.

See ver. 9. let. s.

The Sovereign Law-giver, and Almighty Ruler of Heaven and Earth.

The Messiah, and Zechariah his Servant.

Jew and Gentile.

12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land , and shall choose Jerusalem again .

Jehovah, the God of Abraham, and of his seed, who had cast off Judah, and seem'd to quit his claim in his antient inheritance, by a disseism of 70 years.

Claim, recover, possess and delight, as a man doth in his paternal inheritance,

All his Israel, this Tribe mentioned, but all the rest included.

His Treasure and peculiar people; his lot and part.

Upon, Heb. holy, not by any inherent holiness, but holy and selected, and set apart for a holy people consecrated to God.

The Lord will as of old choose Ierusalem for his seat.

Marginal references: chap. 1.17.

13 Be silent , O all flesh , before the LORD : for he is raised up out of his holy habitation .

Murmur not, you that love not Zion; dispute not, you that think these promises are too good, too great; but in silence, Reverence, and adore God in all his Excellencies and wayes; wait, and expect the accomplishment of all, by him who never utters more than he can and will do for his People.

Both Iew and Gentile; you are weak, short fighted, and worthless; you are flesh, be silent and wait.

The Wise, Mighty, Gracious, and Faithful one; who never suffer'd a word of his to fall unfulfill'd, nor will let any of these promises to fail.

He speaks to our capacity, God is said to be raised in allusion to men who get up, or rise up, and set about what they will do; so here God is on this work already.

Either Heaven, or his Temple.

Marginal references: Zeph. 1.7.; Heb. the habitation of his Holiness. Deut. 26.15.