And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me ,.... See Zechariah 1:9 what was the effect of Christ's intercession for the people of the Jews, was communicated to a ministering angel, and by him to the Prophet Zechariah: with good words, and comfortable words ; such as would be for the good and comfort of God's people, as follows; see Isaiah 40:1 . read more
So the angel that communed with me ,.... Having an order from the other Angel, or the Lord of hosts: said unto me, Cry thou ; proclaim, publish, declare in the hearing of the people, for their comfort and encouragement. The Targum renders it, "prophesy": saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I am jealous for Jerusalem, and for Zion, with a great jealousy ; which is expressive of his conjugal affection for his church and people, his zeal for their good, and his indignation at their... read more
The Lord answered the angel - And the angel told the prophet that the answer was gracious and comfortable. This answer is given in the next verse. read more
I am jealous for Jerusalem - I have for them a strong affection; and indignation against their enemies. read more
Verse 13 The Prophet shows here, that though God did not immediately on the first day stretch forth his hand to the miserable Jews, he was yet propitious to them. But we must notice, that God speaks only, and does not yet manifest his power. The Prophet’s design must be here observed; for first he reminds the faithful that there was no reason for them to despair, or to be cast down with sorrow; for celestial angels prayed to God for them, and pleaded for their salvation. This is one thing. But... read more
Verse 14 Zechariah now mentions the chief consolation to which he had referred; for it would not have been sufficient to say in general, and in a few words without explanation, that God gave a kind answer to the angel. For we know how strong were those temptations with which the faithful had to struggle. It was then needful for them to be furnished, not with light weapons, in so arduous a contest. This is the reason why Zechariah more fully expressed the words by which God then strengthened the... read more
§ 3. The first vision: the horsemen in the myrtle grove. read more
The first vision: God's government of the world. "Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse," etc. About three months after the call of Zechariah to the prophetic office, he had no less than seven, or, as some count, eight visions in one night. And this night, we... read more
The Church and Christ. The vision may suggest— I. THE BIDDEN RICHES OF THE CHURCH . "Myrtle in the bottom" symbolizes the Church in a low condition. Obscure, despised by the world; but fresh, fragrant, and beautiful in the sight of God. The object of increasing care. Grand future. II. THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH 'S HEAD . Christ supreme. All forces are under his control. The resources of heaven and earth are at his disposal. He is ever on the watch. He scans the... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 1:7-17
We not come to visions and revelations of the Lord; for in that way God chose to speak by Zechariah, to awaken the people's attention, and to engage their humble reverence of the word and their humble enquiries into it, and to fix it the more in their minds and memories. Most of the following visions seem designed for the comfort of the Jews, now newly returned out of captivity, and their encouragement to go on with the building of the temple. The scope of this vision (which is as an... read more