CRITICAL NOTES.]
Zechariah 8:20. Yet] Emphatic. People] shall be attracted to God’s house.
Zechariah 8:21. Saying] Mutually appealing to one another. Speedily] Lit. go, going, implying intense earnestness and determination. I also] Prompt response.
Zechariah 8:22. Many] in contrast to a few and weak Jews now engaged in God’s work.
Zechariah 8:23. Ten] A definite for an indefinite number; denoting a great and complete multitude (Genesis 31:7; Leviticus 26:26; Numbers 14:22). For the figure cf. Isaiah 4:1. Converts from among the Gentiles shall be as ten to one Jew. All languages] i.e. of nations of all languages. Take hold] A gesture of entreaty for help and protection (Isaiah 3:6; 1 Samuel 15:32). With you] An effect often produced upon unbelievers when entering the assemblies of Christians (1 Corinthians 14:25). Primarily produced on the nations who witnessed the deliverance by Cyrus; finally, that to be produced by the future grand interposition of Messiah on behalf of his people [cf. Fausset].
HOMILETICS
THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.—Zechariah 8:20-23
The ordinary reference of these words is to Gospel times, and, in part, to the Gospel dispensation of the future. They express the obligations to be felt and owned by the whole world—by “men of every kindred, and people, and nation, and tongue”—to the Jews, for the knowledge, the worship, and the practice of true religion [cf. Wardlaw]. The text contains a wonderful description of future prosperity to the Church of God.
I. Multitudes will be converted to God. “Many people and strong nations shall come.” The few and feeble Jews shall increase into a mighty nation. “Many shall come from the east and the west, from the north and the south.” Bigotry says few. Modern Scribes and Pharisees say few; but God says many. Every fresh conversion shall win others, until “all nations flow” into God’s kingdom.
II. Multitudes will be converted to God by the instrumentality of the Jews. “Ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations of the skirt of him that is a Jew.”
1. Nations shall feel indebted to the Jews. Their outward polity has decayed, and they have been scattered and despised for centuries; but the world will yet own its obligation to them. Other nations have given science and art, government and laws; but to the Jews are we indebted for a knowledge of God, and the preservation of his Word. “What advantage then hath the Jew? Much every way; chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God” (cf. Romans 3:2; Romans 9:4-5).
2. Nations shall discern that God is with the Jews. “For we have heard that God is with you.” God has not cast off his ancient people, but still watches over them. The report of his deeds among them shall spread. They shall be gathered and honoured, and other nations will be anxious to participate in their blessings. All people shall yet testify in their favour. “Their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people; all they that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.”
A CALL TO GOD’S HOUSE.—Zechariah 8:21-22
Take Jerusalem here literally or spiritually, the words may be regarded as a call to Christian worship. God has put his name in his house. It shall be attractive to all sincere believers, and in whatever place they reside they shall come to the great festivals of the future.
I. The purpose for which they come. Not to play nor pass away the time; not for any secular, but a spiritual end.
1. They go to pray before the Lord. Prayer is the language of dependence and entreaty. Men feel that nothing can satisfy but God—are led to give up every kind of idolatry and come to him, believing that he will hear prayer. Prayer is most important, and most necessary, yet meetings for united prayer are neglected. If the spirit of prayer be not with a people, there can be no life and unity.
2. They go to seek the Lord. God preeminently displays grace and glory in his house. True worshippers covet his favour, and long for his fellowship. They regard God in everything. They earnestly seek to behold his power and glory in his sanctuary (Psalms 63:2). Through the veil of ceremonies they look to the Invisible One. “This is the generation of those that seek him.”
II. The method in which they come. “Many people and strong nations,” &c.
1. In great numbers. At present the ways of Zion mourn. Few attend the house of God, and like sparrows are alone upon the house-top. As in ancient times, Jews went from village to village, gathering numbers and singing hymns as they journeyed on, until all appeared in Zion before God: so shall multitudes say, “Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob” (Isaiah 2:3).
2. In great variety. “The inhabitants of many cities.” Country and townspeople, merchants and mechanics, masters and servants, shall come. “Men out of all languages of the nations”—the Mahomedan and the Turk, the Hindoo and the Hottentot, Greek and Jew, shall yet meet together in the house of God.
III. The spirit in which they come.
1. A spirit of mutual excitement. The inhabitants of one city go to another. They do not invite those whom they accidentally meet on the way, nor do they wait for the minister and the missionary to do their work. They go to the negligent—perhaps at some sacrifice and inconvenience—and stir one another up. This is needful now. Frivolous are the excuses, and unjustifiable the causes, which keep men from the house of God.
2. A spirit of personal resolve. “I will go also,” was the response of each when invited. Many excuse; they have no time, no clothes, and you must call again. But others are only waiting for an invitation. Let us all resolve with Nehemiah and his friends: “We will not forsake the house of our God.”
3. A spirit of earnestness. “Let us go speedily.” (a) Go with heartiness. Put heart and feeling into your work. Angels are like flaming fire in their service. We are dull and half-asleep. (b) Go withtout delay. Many delay and never go. They never begin to pray, till God has ceased to hear. Let all attend and take others to the house of God—pray that God would revive his work, and bless our souls. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.”
HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES
Zechariah 8:20-21. Characteristics of a genuine revival.
1. A general interest in the house of God.
2. A mutual concern for each other’s welfare.
3. An earnest resolve for individual duty; and
4. A great accession to the Christian Church.
The inhabitants, &c. They shall not be satisfied with their own salvation, careless about the salvation of others; they shall employ all labour and industry, with wondrous love, to provide for the salvation of others as if it were their own It is a marvellous stirring of minds [Pusey]. Learn also—
1. That those who know God will seek to bring others to know him.
2. That mutual stirring up to duty is a means of increase to the Church. 3. That in this work we should not be discouraged.
(1) Sad times should not blot out remembrance of the Church’s charter and future privileges.
(2) Personal sacrifices should not tire nor dishearten us. Indifference and lukewarmness are out of place. We must be active and constant in the work. “Let us go speedily.”
I will go also. I. The object of the awakened sinner. To seek God. II. The means of accomplishing this object.
(1) Attendance in sanctuary.
(2) Prayer. III. The influence of example in pursuing this object. Inciting others. Individual example connected with general exhortation.
Zechariah 8:23. A revived people.
1. Blessed with God’s presence.
2. Instrumental in the conversion of others.
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 8
Zechariah 8:20-22. Pray. The gracious God is pleased to esteem it his glory to have many beggars thronging at the beautiful gate of his temple, for spiritual and corporal alms. What an honour it is to our Great Landlord that multitudes of tenants flock together to his house to pay their rent of thanks and worship for all which they hold of him! How loud and lovely is the noise of many golden trumpets! Good Lord, what an echo do they make in heaven’s ears! When many skilful musicians play in concert with well-tuned and prepared instruments, the music cannot but be ravishing to God himself [George Swinnock].
Zechariah 8:23. Skirt. This is a simple and striking expression. We have seen a dear little infant, when he wished to engage the attention of his mother, pulling her by the clothes. When a child has been walking along with his father, and afraid that he would leave him, he not only cries but lays hold of his coat. When the cripple had been healed at the beautiful gate of the temple, he held Peter and John, and was afraid to let them go (probably dreading a return of his former misery), as much as to say, “You shall not go, and if you do I will go with you, and you shall draw me after you.” Just so is it here. It shows conviction, attachment, eager attention, a wishing to be among them and of them [Jay].