John Calvin Commentary Zechariah 1:14

"So the angel that talked with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy." — Zechariah 1:14 (ASV)

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 those temptations were with which the faithful had to struggle. It was then necessary for them to be equipped, 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 faith of his people.

He says that the angel had spoken; and he thus indicates that the consolation was not given privately to the angel for him to keep it to himself, but for him to convey it to the whole people. This was not then a secret consolation but what the Lord intended to be proclaimed by his Prophets, according to what is said by Isaiah in the passage to which we have already referred—Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

What God says, that he was moved with great zeal for Jerusalem and Sion, is according to the common language of Scripture. For as God cannot otherwise sufficiently express the ineffable favor which he has toward his elect, he is pleased to use this analogy: he undertakes the defense of his people in the same way a husband fights with the greatest zeal for his own wife.

This is the reason why he says that he was zealous for Jerusalem. And we should especially notice this way of speaking, so that we do not think that God is indifferent when he delays and defers his aid. For just as we are hasty in our wishes, so we would have God act hastily in the same manner; and we attribute indifference to him when he does not hurry according to our desires.

God counters these doubts when he testifies that he is zealous: for he indicates that his slowness did not proceed from neglect, nor because he despised or disregarded them, but that there was another reason why he held them in suspense. We may therefore be fully persuaded that even when God withholds his aid, he is not affected toward us any differently than the best of fathers is toward his own children; and further, that the signs of his love do not appear because it is not always beneficial for us to be quickly delivered from our troubles.

Let this, then, be our shield against all hasty desires, so that we do not indulge our overly eager wishes, or think that our salvation is neglected by God, when he hides himself for a time and does not immediately extend his hand to help us.