John Calvin Commentary Zechariah 9:8

"And I will encamp about my house against the army, that none pass through or return; and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes." — Zechariah 9:8 (ASV)

He concludes what he had been speaking of: that God would be the guardian of his chosen people, so as to repel on every side the violent assaults of enemies. It is then as though he had said, “Though the Church is not strongly fortified, it will yet be impregnable, for God’s protection is of more value than all human strength, than all aids and helps.” God then compares himself here to a moat and a bulwark, and other kinds of fortresses; I will be, he says, a camp to my house. He mentions here house rather than city, so that the Jews might feel confident that there was sufficient help in God alone, though they might dwell in a private house or in a cottage. “My Church, though it is a small house, I will yet surround with my defenses, so as to render it safe from all harm.”

He says, from the army; and then, from him that passes through, and from him that returns. He places the army in opposition to the house; and thus he exhorts the Jews, not to regard their own strength, but to know that God alone is far better than all armies.

So, even if the whole world united together and collected all its forces, he still urges them to be calmly confident, for God alone would be sufficient to put to flight all armies. And according to the same meaning he refers to him that passes through and who returns; as if he had said, “Though enemies may wander through the whole earth and occupy it from one end to the other, yet I will cause my house to remain safe.” By him that returns, he intimates that though enemies renewed their armies a second and a third time, God’s strength would always be sufficient to check their assaults.

In a word, what is taught here is the perpetuity of the safety of God’s people, for he will never grow weary in defending them, nor will his power ever be lessened. It often happens that those who with the best intention help their neighbors gradually grow weary, or they may have their efforts prevented by various events; but the Prophet tells us that God is not like men, weary or unable after having once helped his people and repelled their enemies. For he will always be ready to aid his people, even if enemies were to renew the battle a hundred times.

By enemy, then, he means forces; by passing through, the obstinate cruelty of enemies; and by returning, new wars, which one undertakes when disappointed in his hope, by collecting a new army and repairing his strength.

Finally, he adds, And pass shall no more the extortioner through them. This sentence explains what he had figuratively expressed: that though the Jews had been exposed to the will of their enemies, God would no longer suffer them to be unjustly treated and plundered as they had been, for under the name of 'extortioner' he includes all plunderers who had spoiled the miserable Jews of their goods.

Then he says, For I have seen with mine eyes. It would be frigid, indeed insipid, to explain this clause as some do—that is, as if the Prophet had said—that he related what had been made known to him from above. For on the contrary, God testifies here that he had seen with his eyes how cruelly and disgracefully the Jews had been treated.

And some, while they regard God as the speaker, very unwisely give this explanation: that God already foresaw what he would do. But evidently God assigns here, as I have said, a reason why he purposed to deliver the Jews from injuries, and for the future to keep them safe and defend them; and the reason given is that he saw what grievous wrongs they were suffering.

And the Prophet speaks according to the usual manner adopted in Scripture; for though nothing is hidden from God’s eyes, yet he is rightly said to see what he takes notice of, and what he declares must be accounted for before his tribunal. Therefore, though God saw even before the creation of the world what was to take place afterwards in all ages, yet he is rightly said to see what he begins to call to judgment.

The Jews indeed thought they were neglected by him; for Scripture everywhere says that God closes his eyes, is asleep, lies down, forgets, does not care, when he hides himself and does not appear as the avenger of wrongs. Hence, on the other hand, the Lord declares here that he saw with his eyes those things which were not to be tolerated, inasmuch as enemies had passed all bounds and had so far advanced and indulged in wantonness that their pride and cruelty had become intolerable.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as the ungodly today take such delight in their own filth that the weakness of our faith is somewhat disturbed by their pride and arrogance, O grant that we may learn to lift up our eyes to your judgments and patiently wait for what is now concealed, until you put forth the power of your hand and destroy all those who now cruelly rage, shed innocent blood, and persecute your Church in every way they can; may we so cast ourselves on your care as not to doubt that you are sufficient for our safety, and that you will at last make evident what you have testified—even that there is so much protection in your hand that we may safely boast that we are safe and blessed as long as you are pleased to exercise care over us—until we at last reach that blessed rest which has been prepared for us in heaven by Christ our Lord. Amen.