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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 14:17

Verse 17 Zechariah goes on here with the same subject, — that the name of the only true God would be known throughout the whole world, so that all nations would unite in his worship, while the whole earth was before polluted with various superstitions, and every one followed his own god: but the more clearly expresses here than in the last lecture, that vengeance was prepared for all the despisers of the true God. He says then, that the curse of God is laid up for all those who would not come... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 14:18

Verse 18 But Zechariah speaks expressly of the Egyptians: and we indeed know that they were most inveterate enemies to true religion; and he might have also mentioned the Assyrians and the Chaldeans; but as the Egyptians were nearer and more contiguous to the holy land, their hatred towards the Jews was more virulent. This is the reason why Zechariah speaks of them particularly. It may at the same time appear strange that he threatens them with want of rain; for we know that Egypt expects no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 14:19

Verse 19 He repeats the same thing, and almost in the same words; but yet it is not done without reason: for we ought to consider how difficult it was to believe what is said, as the Jews who had returned to their country were few in number, and unwarlike, and on every side opposed by their enemies. Since then the Church was almost every moment in danger, it was no wonder that the faithful had need of being strengthened under their trials, which often disturbed and harassed their minds. This... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 14:12-21

A regenerate world. "And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem," etc. A regenerate man is not a man without disposition to sin, but a man in whose case that disposition is habitually overcome. In that regenerate world partially described in the previous verses, something very similar is to hold good. All the elements of evil are not then altogether to cease; but there shall be in operation then a new principle of action,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 14:16

Every one that is left. All the heathen that attacked the holy city shall not be destroyed; the remnant saved small become subjects of the Divine kingdom. Shall go up. This is the usual phrase for going to Jerusalem for the purpose of worship (comp. Isaiah 2:2 , Isaiah 2:3 ; Micah 4:2 ; Luke 2:42 ; John 7:8 ). The prophet here and in the following clause speaks as a Jew to Jews, who knew and observed only the prescribed form of worship. It is evident that the announcement could... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 14:16-19

§ 9. Warned by these manifestations of God's power, the residue of the heathen shall be converted, and shall join with the Hebrews in the regular worship of Jehovah. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 14:16-19

The public worship of Jehovah. "And it shall come to pass," etc. Two remarks are suggested here concerning the public worship of Jehovah. I. IT IS A DUTY BINDING ON ALL PEOPLE . "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of. all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles." "Keil thinks the Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned because it was a feast of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 14:16-21

The great harvest home. The Feast of Tabernacles had a threefold reference. It was a memorial of the past, it was a service of thanksgiving, and it was also foreshadowing of the better things to come. Well, therefore, may the prophet make it a symbol of the glory of the latter days, when under Messiah's reign the fulness of the Gentiles should be brought in, and all Israel should be saved. The glowing and beautiful picture may represent the great harvest home of the world. I. UNITY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 14:17

Will not come up; goeth not up. Those who neglected this yearly worship shall be punished according to the threat in Deuteronomy 11:16 , Deuteronomy 11:17 . No rain. The failure of periodic rain in Eastern countries meant drought, famine, and widespread distress. In a spiritual sense, rain represents the grace and blessing of God; these are withholden from those who refuse to worship him and wilfully cut themselves off from the Church. The LXX . has, καὶ οὗτοι ἐκείνοις ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 14:18

If the family of Egypt go not up . Egypt is mentioned as the great typical enemy of God and Israel, and therefore most obnoxious to punishment if it did not obey the call. That have no rain. This rendering implies, what is not the fact, that Egypt is without rain, and is not dependent upon rain for its fertility. The expression in the text is elliptical, being merely, "then not on them," and it is obviously natural to supply, "shall there be rain." As the rise of the Nile depends upon the... read more

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