In these days; rather, in those days . If what is promised in Zechariah 8:3-5 seems incredible to those who shall see the fulfilment. The remnant. The returned Jews and their posterity ( Haggai 1:12-14 ). Should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? Certainly not. Nothing is impossible with God. read more
God promises to bring his dispersed people home again—a promise only yet partially fulfilled. My people. A title of honour ( Hosea 2:23 ). From the east country, and from the west country. Two regions are named, symbols of the whole world (comp. Psalms 50:1 ; Malachi 1:11 ). The return of the captives from Babylon was a prelude of the future restoration of the dispersed, when all Israel shall be saved ( Romans 11:26 ). (See a similar promise, Isaiah 43:5 , Isaiah 43:6 ; comp. ... read more
A twofold Divine restoration. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people ['out of the land of the rising and the land of the setting' (Keil)] from the cast country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness." "The east and the west are here put as parts for the whole. The meaning is, 'I will deliver my people from regions whither they... read more
In the midst of Jerusalem. As the centre of worship (see Zechariah 2:4 , and note there). In truth and in righteousness. The words belong to both parts of the preceding clause: God will deal truly and righteously with them, but they must deal truly and righteously with him. If they are faithful to their obligations, God would be unto them all that he had promised to be. read more
Let your hands be strong (comp. Haggai 2:15-19 ). Be of good courage for the work before you ( 7:11 ; Isaiah 35:3 ; Ezekiel 22:14 ). By ( from ) the mouth of the prophets, which were . Who came forward as prophets. These prophets, who prophesied after the foundations of the temple were laid, were Haggai and Zechariah; they are thus distinguished from the pre-exilian seers mentioned in Zechariah 7:7 . The same prophets who encouraged you in your work at first are they who have... read more
A Divine call to a Divine work. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words," etc, This paragraph is promising and cheerful; it is at once intended and suited to animate the builders of the temple and to stimulate them to resolute diligence in their work. It accords with that of Haggai (see Haggai 1:2-6 ; Haggai 2:15-19 ) respecting Heaven's displeasure at their apathy in God's work and their eagerness in their own. In the words we... read more
§ 5. The people are exhorted to be of good cheer, for god will henceforth give them his blessing, which, however, was conditional on their obedience. read more
Evidence of favour. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong," etc. In the beginning of these verses we have the opposite of that with which the previous verses concluded. There God confirmed his people in hoping for certain comparatively proximate blessings by assuring them of other and greater blessings which he designed afterwards to bestow. Here he confirms their hopes of what is more distant by pledging himself, as it were, to what is nearer. And this he does, we shall... read more
The prophet reminds the people of the sad condition of affairs during the cessation of the good work, and how things began to improve directly they showed diligence and zeal. There was no hire for man , etc. Either the yield was so small that no labour of men or beasts was needed to gather it in, or the general poverty was so great that labourers could not get their wages nor the oxen their well earned share of provender ( Haggai 1:11 ; Haggai 2:17 , Haggai 2:18 ). Neither was there... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:5
Full of boys and girls. Jerusalem and the other cities had long been strangers to any such happy sight. Large increase of population is a blessing often promised in the latter days ( Hosea 1:10 ; Micah 2:12 ). Perowne remarks that our Lord alludes to the games of children the marketplaces as a familiar incident his days ( Matthew 11:16 , Matthew 11:17 ; comp. Jeremiah 11:1-23 ). read more