And the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying. The word of prophecy, as the Targum paraphrases it: here begins a new prophecy, respecting the abrogation of Jewish fasts, and the calling of the Gentiles. read more
Thus saith the Lord of hosts ,.... What follows is a full answer to the question in Zechariah 7:3 , The fast of the fourth month ; the month Tammuz, which answers to June: this fast was kept on the ninth day of the month, on account of the city of Jerusalem being broken up on that day F15 T. Bab. Roshhashanah, fol. 18. 2. , as it is said, 2 Kings 25:3 though Kimchi says this was on the seventeenth day of that month, as also says the Misna F16 Taanith, c. 4. sect. 7. ;... read more
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, It shall yet come to pass ,.... This is another thing that shall certainly be accomplished: that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities ; in the Gentile world; they shall come and hear the word, believe in Christ, and join together in a Gospel church state; as they did at Antioch, Thessalonica, Corinth, and many other places: Ben Melech says this shall be in the days of the Messiah; and so it has been in the days of the true Messiah... read more
And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another ,.... Which shows their concern for the spiritual welfare of each other, their zeal for the honour and glory of God, and their readiness to attend divine worship: saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord ; for pardoning, justifying, and sanctifying grace which shows their sense of need of these things, and that they are only to be had of the Lord; and that their case required haste, and would admit of no delay: and to... read more
Yea, many people, and strong nations ,.... Or, "mighty kingdoms", as the Targum renders it; even such have embraced the Gospel, and professed the Christian religion; of which there has been abundant proof since the downfall of Paganism under Constantine: shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem ; that is, shall attend the public worship of God in the church: and to pray before the Lord ; join in public prayer, and other ordinances of the Gospel. This phrase, which is used... read more
Thus saith the Lord of hosts ,.... For the further confirmation and illustration of this prophecy: in those days it shall come to pass ; this shall be done in the times of the preaching of the Gospel by Christ and his apostles: that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take bold of the skirt of him that is a Jew : which may be understood either of our Lord Jesus Christ; who was a Jew by nation, the Jews were his own people, and Judea his nation;... read more
The fast of the fourth month - To commemorate the taking of Jerusalem; 2 Kings 25:3 ; Jeremiah 39:2 ; Jeremiah 52:6 , Jeremiah 52:7 . The fast of the fifth - In memory of the ruin of the temple, 2 Kings 25:8 ; Jeremiah 52:12 , Jeremiah 52:13 . The fast of the seventh - For the murder of Gedaliah, Jeremiah 41:1-17. The fast of the tenth - In commemoration of the siege of Jerusalem, which began on the tenth day of the tenth month; 2 Kings 25:1 ; Jeremiah 52:4 ; ... read more
There shall come people - Similar promises to those in Isaiah 2:3 ; and in Micah 4:1 , Micah 4:2 . Many Gentiles, as well as Jews, will then be found devoting themselves to the Lord. read more
I will go also - This is the answer of the person invited. It is a good work. We must have God for our friend. We cannot expect this unless we seek him: and as we know not what an hour may bring forth, let us go speedily. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 8:18-23
These verses contain two precious promises, for the further encouragement of those pious Jews that were hearty in building the temple. I. That a happy period should be put to their fasts, and there should be no more occasion for them, but they should be converted into thanksgiving days, Zech. 8:19. This is a direct answer to the enquiry concerning their fasts, Zech. 7:3. Those of them that fasted in hypocrisy had their doom in the foregoing chapter, but those that in sincerity humbled... read more