This vision refers to a time yet future, when the Jews shall have returned to their own land, but still in unbelief; and will be assailed by their foes, though in vain, vs. 2, 3, 6. The Lord will defend them, vs. 7, 8. Then the nation will mourn. Their repentance will be universal, from the highest to the lowest; lonely, and on account of the sufferings they inflicted on Jesus. The Agent of this mourning will be the Holy Spirit; and it will eventuate in the full forgiveness of sin through the blood of atonement and an entire cleansing from idols.

Zechariah 13:1-9; 14:1, 6-9. This Fountain was opened, when the soldier pierced the Saviour’s side. But it is not enough for God to forgive; he must deal

drastically with the waywardness of his people. And so thorough would be the work, that parents would rather their son should die than assume for filthy lucre and without the divine call, the lucrative profession of a prophet. A township would arise against a man suspected of being a prophet, who, in his terror, would pretend that he was a tiller of the ground. And if they discovered marks in his body which indicated that he had been previously branded as a false prophet, he would rather assert that his friends had been the cause of his afficton, than that he had any sympathy with the prophetic office.

Note that remarkable anticipation, vs. 7-9. See Matt. 26:31. Jesus knew that he was the Father’s fellow. He thought it not robbery to be equal with God. “We will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” But he is also the Man. By the grace of the One Man, we may reign in life, Rom. 5:17.

Zechariah 14: 1-21. We can hardly doubt that in chapter 14 Zechariah is anticipating the same events as Ezekiel describes in chapters 38 and 39 of his remarkable book. At first the attack of the enemies of God’s people will be entirely successful, then Jesus will appear to them and for them. There will be a literal fulfillment of Acts 1:11 and Iso. 25:9, 10. It was when his brethren were in their greatest straits that Joseph made himself known to them, and when the Jews are in dire extremity, they will hear Him say, “I am Jesus your Brother.” See Gen. 45:1-15, Finally the long stormy days of Israel’s history will be over forever, and “at evening time it shall be light.” It is clear that Paul’s vision in Romans 11 is to be gloriously realized.

(a) What visions did Zechariah see and what did they concern? (b) What is the consummation of the prophecy?

(e) What contrast may be noted as to style in the writing of these prophets? (f) What is the main theme in the book of Zechariah?

(Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.)