Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Zechariah
Book: Zechariah
Chapter: 6
Overview:
The
Vision of the chariots.
(1-8) Joshua, the high
Priest,
crowned as a
Type of
Christ.
(9-15)
1-8 This
Vision may represent the ways of
Providence in the
government of this lower world. Whatever the providences of
God
about us are, as to public or private affairs, we should see
them all as coming from between the mountains of
Brass, the
immoveable counsels and decrees of
God; and therefore reckon it
as much our folly to quarrel with them, as it is our duty to
submit to them. His providences move swiftly and strongly as
chariots, but all are directed and governed
By his infinite
Wisdom and sovereign will. The red horses signify
War and
bloodshed. The
Black, signify the dismal consequences of
War,
famines, pestilences, and desolations. The
White, signify the
return of comfort, peace, and prosperity. The mixed
Colour,
signify events of different complexions, a
Day of prosperity and
a
Day of adversity. The angels go forth as messengers of
God's
counsels, and ministers of his
Justice and
Mercy. And the secret
motions and impulses upon the spirits of men,
By which the
designs of
Providence are carried
On, are these four spirits of
the heavens, which go forth from
God, and fulfil what the
God of
the spirits of all
Flesh appoints. All the events which take
place in the world
Spring from the unchangeable counsels of the
Lord, which are formed in unerring
Wisdom, perfect
Justice,
Truth, and
Goodness; and from history it is found that events
happened about the period when this
Vision was sent to the
Prophet, which seem referred to therein.
9-15 Some Jews from
Babylon brought an
Offering to the
House of
God. Those who cannot forward a good work
By their persons,
must, as they are able, forward it
By their purses: if some find
hands, let others fill them. Crowns are to be made, and
Put upon
the head of
Joshua. The sign was used, to make the promise more
noticed, that
God will, in the
Fulness of time, raise up a great
High
Priest, like
Joshua, who is but the figure of one that is
to come.
Christ is not only the Foundation, but the Founder of
this
Temple,
By his
Spirit and
Grace.
Glory is a
Burden, but not
too heavy for Him to
Bear who upholds all things. The
Cross was
His
Glory, and he bore that;
So is the
Crown an exceeding weight
of
Glory, and he bears that. The counsel of peace should be
between the
Priest and the
Throne, between the priestly and
kingly offices of
Jesus Christ. The peace and welfare of the
Gospel Church, and of all believers, shall be wrought, though
not
By two several persons, yet
By two several offices meeting
in one;
Christ, purchasing all peace
By his priesthood,
maintaining and defending it
By his kingdom. The crowns used in
this solemnity must be kept in the
Temple, as evidence of this
promise of the
Messiah. Let us not think of separating what
God
has joined in his counsel of peace. We cannot come to
God By
Christ as our
Priest, if we refuse to have him rule over us as
our
King. We have
No real ground to think our peace is made with
God, unless we try to keep his
Commandments.