Matthew Henry Commentary Zechariah 12
Matthew Henry Commentary
Zechariah 12
Matthew Henry Commentary
Zechariah 12
"The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. [Thus] saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him: behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it be in the siege against Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it. In that day, saith Jehovah, I will smite every horse with terror, and his rider with madness; and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the peoples with blindness. And the chieftains of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in Jehovah of hosts their God. In that day will I make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire among wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves; and they shall devour all the peoples round about, on the right hand and on the left; and [they of] Jerusalem shall yet again dwell in their own place, even in Jerusalem. Jehovah also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem be not magnified above Judah. In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them." — Zechariah 12:1-8 (ASV)
Here is a divine prediction, which will be a heavy burden to all the enemies of the church. But it is for Israel, for their comfort and benefit. It is promised that God will make foolish the counsels and weaken the courage of the enemies of the church.
The exact meaning is not clear, but God often begins by calling the poor and despised. In that day, even the feeblest will resemble David and be as eminent in courage and everything good. Indeed, it is desirable that the examples and labors of Christians should render them as fire among wood, as a torch in a sheaf, to kindle the flame of divine love and to spread religion on the right hand and on the left.
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of the Shimeites apart, and their wives apart; all the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart." — Zechariah 12:9-14 (ASV)
The day spoken of here is the day of Jerusalem's defense and deliverance, that glorious day when God will appear for the salvation of his people. In Christ's first coming he bruised the serpent's head and broke all the powers of darkness that fought against God's kingdom among men. In his second coming he will complete their destruction, when he shall put down all opposing rule, principality, and power; and death itself shall be swallowed up in that victory.
The Holy Spirit is gracious and merciful, and is the Author of all grace or holiness. He is also the Spirit of supplications, and shows men their ignorance, need, guilt, misery, and danger. At the time foretold here, the Jews will know who the crucified Jesus was; then they will look by faith to him, and mourn with the deepest sorrow, not only in public, but in private, even each one separately. There is a holy mourning, the effect of the pouring out of the Spirit; a mourning for sin, which enlivens faith in Christ and qualifies for joy in God.
This mourning is a fruit of the Spirit of grace, a proof of a work of grace in the soul, and of the Spirit of supplications. It is fulfilled in all who sorrow for sin in a godly manner; they look to Christ crucified and mourn for him. Looking by faith upon the cross of Christ will cause us to mourn for sin in a godly manner.
Jump to: