The work of Temple-building had ceased for fifteen years and the new resolve to arise and build might meet with-a similar fate. But the four horns met with four carpenters. For Babylon the carpenter was Cyrus; for Persia, Alexander the Great; for Greece, the Roman; for Rome, the Gaul. No weapon that is formed to thwart God’s purposes can prosper. The young man with the measuring line embodied the new spirit animating the returned exiles. But God was

intending to give more prosperity and increase than could be contained in walls,

Zechariah 3: 1-10. The regulation for the maintenance of the priesthood had fallen into disuse, and they had

neither robes, vessels, nor proper provision of offerings. Probably also the spiritual lite of the priests was at a very low ebb, Mal. 1, 2. Satan is always discovering the weak spots in character and thrusting at them. He is keen as steel and cruel as hell. But we have One who pleads. As the priest Melchizedek, he ever lives to make intercession for us. “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan.”

We are as brands scorched and charred with the burning. But we have been plucked out of the consuming flame. Surely then we are being kept for some high and useful purpose. All the past is an argument for faith. That God has done so much is a pledge that he will perfect that which concerneth us, because his mercy endureth for ever. It is not enough to be cleansed from sin, we need the miter of the divine anointing that we may have a place of access among the saints. Whom he justifies, he also glorifies. Let us be content with nothing short of God’s best.

Zechariah 4:1-14. Zerubbabel had faltered in the great work of reconstruction and had practically lost heart. Here he is encouraged to renew his efforts and persevere to the top-stone. He might be weak and flexible as a wick but none of his deficiencies could hinder him from finishing his life-work, if only his spirit was kindled with the divine fire and fed by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Zechariah 5:1-11. This huge sheet of parchment, 30 by 15 feet, was covered with the solemn curses of the Law, on one side against the thief and on the other against false-swearing. The young community was notorious for these two sins. They brought the dry-rot with them, v. 4. Their commercial life also, represented by the ephah, was full of wickedness. But it was to be elim-~- inated. The swift stork wings would bear it away.