Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried ,.... The Lord by the former prophets called them to repentance and obedience: and they would not hear ; his words, nor obey his voice: so they cried : when they were besieged in Jerusalem, and were carried captive into Babylon: and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts ; so as to deliver them out of the hands of their enemies; see Proverbs 1:24 . read more
But I scattered them with a whirlwind ,.... Denoting the fierceness of his wrath, and the strength of his fury, seen in their dispersion: among all the nations whom they knew not ; such as the Babylonians, Medes, and Persians, people before unknown to the Jews: thus the land was desolate after them ; that is, the land of Judea was destitute of inhabitants, or had but few remaining in it, after the Jews were carried captive into Babylon; for the rest, after the death of Gedaliah, fled... read more
I scattered them with a whirlwind - This refers to the swift victories and cruel conduct of the Chaldeans towards the Jews; they came upon them like a whirlwind; they were tossed to and fro, and up and down, everywhere scattered and confounded. read more
Verse 13 The Prophet sets forth more fully the dreadfulness of this punishment — that they in vain groaned and complained, for God was deaf to their complaints and cryings. When God in some measure fulminates and becomes soon reconciled, he does not seem to be greatly incensed, but when the miserable whom he afflicts by his hand, avail nothing by their entreaties and prayers, it then appears evident that God is in no common degree offended. This then is what the Prophet meant by saying, that... read more
Verse 14 Here the Prophet concludes what he had been speaking of God’s vengeance, by which he had fully proved, that the sins of that nation had arrived to such a pitch, that there was no room for pardon. Hence he says, that they had been dispersed; for so I prefer to render the word, and the context seems to require this. Interpreters vary as to its meaning; and, indeed, the Hebrews themselves say, that this is a difficult passage, for, according to the rules of grammar, the word can hardly be... read more
God and men. I. THE UNITY OF GOD 'S PURPOSE . God's thoughts do not vary, though he varies his methods. His end for nations and individuals is always the same—advancement, not merely in knowledge and culture, but in moral goodness. II. THE MERCIFULNESS OF GOD 'S WARNINGS . At no time hath God left himself without wirelesses. By word and providence and in countless ways his warnings come. We see this in the past. ( Zechariah 7:7 , "former prophets.") So in the... read more
§ 8. The people are further reminded that they had been disobedient in old time, and had been punished by exile. read more
Hypocrisy warned. "And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts," etc. The severe rebuke of the previous verses seems followed up in these verses by a very solemn yet very merciful warning, intended apparently to save the Jews from the various evils to which their hypocrisy had exposed them. The language of God to their fathers, as referred to in verse 7, appears still (note "thus spake ," according to Pusey, Wardlaw, and others, in verse 9) the... read more
Religion, genuine and spurious. "And the Word of the Lord," etc. From this passage we infer three facts. I. GENUINE RELIGION IS PHILANTHROPIC . ( Isaiah 1:16 , Isaiah 1:17 ; Isaiah 58:6 , Isaiah 58:7 ; Matthew 5:44 .) "Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute tree judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother," etc. Here is the ritual, the manifestation, the proof of genuine religion, and it is practical philanthropy. The sign and evidence... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 7:8-14
What was said Zech. 7:7; that they should have heard the words of the former prophets, is here enlarged upon, for warning to these hypocritical enquirers, who continued their sins when they asked with great preciseness whether they should continue their fasts. This prophet had before put them in mind of their fathers? disobedience to the calls of the prophets, and what was the consequence of it (Zech. 1:4-6), and now here again; for others? harms should be our warnings. God's judgments upon... read more