Four carpenters— Or as many subverters of the kingdoms as the kingdoms were which had oppressed the Jews. The word חרשׁ choresh, signifies a mechanic, or artificer in brass, iron, wood, stone, &c.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The prophet Zechariah received his commission from God, and began to speak about two months after Haggai. He is called the son of Berechiah; and was the same, as some suppose, whom our Lord mentions, Matthew 23:35 as slain between the porch and the altar, the son of Iddo the prophet, which may refer to Zechariah, and not his grandfather; or he might be a prophet also. He begins his discourse,
1. With reminding the Jews of the sins and provocations of their forefathers, with whom God was highly displeased, and whom he had severely punished, whose sufferings should be a warning to them.
2. With exhorting them to turn unto God; and gives them the most gracious encouragement to do so, for he will turn unto you; and thrice he adds, thus saith the Lord of Hosts, to give weight and authority to the admonition, and engage their faith in the certainty of his promised mercy. Conscious guilt makes the heart fearful; and the sinner, who sees his iniquities in their true colours, can scarcely be persuaded that God can and will receive one so unworthy into his favour.
3. He reminds them of the sins of their forefathers, which had provoked God, and bids them take warning by their sufferings, and not imitate their bad examples. Be ye not as your fathers, treading in their steps, who, though repeatedly, fervently, and for a long season called upon by the former prophets to repent, turned a deaf ear to God's word, and hardened their hearts; and where are they? They went captives into a strange land; and many of them no doubt cut off in their iniquities, and were gone to receive the just reward of their deeds. And the prophets are dead also; but their words survived them, and overtook the sinners against whom they were denounced; and this in so evident a manner, that when the threatened judgments came, too late to be prevented, their forefathers, in a miserable captivity, felt that righteous vengeance which they would not believe till it took hold upon them. Note; (1.) The example of parents is no plea for following their ways, when contrary to God's word. (2.) We should often think of those who are gone before; where are they? gone into bliss or misery eternal, and we are hastening after them: whither then are we going? (3.) God's ministers are dying men; we should improve the season, during which they are spared to labour among us: whilst each of them, considering their own mortality, should speak as a dying man to dying men; and deliver at least their own souls. (4.) Though the denunciations of wrath do not immediately take place against the sinner, being in much patience delayed, yet, if he persist in impenitence, they will take hold of him at last; and too late, in the belly of hell, he will feel that wrath from which he would not be persuaded to flee.
2nd, The vision recorded Zechariah 1:7, &c. was given to the prophet about three months after the former discourse was delivered, and is designed for the encouragement of the people who had turned unto God, and diligently employed themselves in rebuilding his holy temple. We have,
1. The vision. The grove of myrtles in the bottom fitly represented the state of the Jewish church, sunk very low in the deep gloom of afflictions and want, and surrounded by the hills of the neighbouring nations, far greater than they. It may signify also the church militant in general, which through much tribulation enters into the kingdom of God; the members of which, though low, are closely united, and their graces breathe fragrance before God. In the midst of them Jesus appears, become man for us men and for our salvation, and going forth to fight our battles, conquering and to conquer, and riding upon a red horse as the captain of salvation, who by his own blood will save his faithful people, and by his power treads down his enemies, till their blood reaches to the horses' bridles, Revelation 14:20. Behind him stood marshalled the armies of heaven, his ministering spirits, on horses of different colours, according to the various services in which they are employed, for judgment or for mercy.*
* As so many commentators have given this sense to the present passage, and as their interpretation is perfectly consistent with the analogy of faith, I have therefore presented my readers with it: but see the critical notes.
2. The prophet, filled with admiration at what he beheld, presumes with deep respect to ask, O my Lord, what are these? And the angel, he that is the head of all principalities and powers, even the man that stood among the myrtle-trees, is graciously pleased to inform him. These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth, to execute his commands, and minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. So kind and condescending is Jesus to the humble inquirers after divine knowledge, who cry, What I know not teach thou me: these he will guide into all truth.
3. He hears the report which these ministering spirits make to their King and Lord. They had discharged their commission, and report, that the earth sitteth still, and is at rest, undisturbed by wars, as was the case in the reign of Darius; secure and at ease, while the poor people of God are under affliction and perpetual alarms. Thus still a careless world sleeps on: but they will shortly be fearfully roused from this fatal lethargy.
4. The angel, the Lord Jesus, hereupon becomes an advocate for his penitent returning people, and cries for mercy now at last upon them, after the long time that God hath afflicted them, during seventy years; which, if computed from the burning of the temple, were just now completed: so long had they suffered the marks of God's indignation; and now he begs that he will say, It is enough. It is well for the church that believers have such an Advocate with the Father: and in all times of trouble we should remember this for our support.
5. An answer of peace is given to the Saviour's prayer. The Lord answered the angel with good words, and comfortable words; for, him the Father heareth always.
6. He communicates this answer to the prophet, to be proclaimed to his believing people for their comfort and encouragement. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy: on fire to repair their wrongs, and zealous to promote their happiness. Their enemies, who now sit at ease, are the objects of his wrath: he sent them to correct his people in a little displeasure, and they helped forward the affliction, exceeding their orders in cruelty and inhumanity, and insulted over the miseries of their unhappy captives: but God will avenge their quarrel. Whilst on the other hand the prophet must proclaim aloud, Thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: the temple shall be built, Jerusalem be raised from its ruins, and plenty and prosperity once more dwell in the cities of Judah. And the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, after the days of her mourning; and shall yet choose Jerusalem for his blest abode: which was literally fulfilled in the days of Zerubbabel and of the Maccabees; but most eminently when the Messiah appeared in the midst of her, and his Gospel went forth through all the cities of the land.
3rdly, We have a second vision to the same purpose as the former, comforting the people of Israel against their mighty foes.
1. The prophet saw four horns, and, asking an explanation of them, is informed, that these are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem; the various nations that at different times harassed and dispersed them, so that no man did lift up his head; so oppressed and dispirited they were, and brought so low. Some refer these horns to the Samaritans, Arabians, Ammonites, and Philistines, who gave them such hindrances in the building of the temple and city. And all who set about this blessed work may expect to be pushed at by many a horn. But see the critical notes.
2. The Lord shewed him four carpenters. These he had not seen. Our fears of danger so engage us, that we often overlook the help provided for us. And he tells him what these came to do, to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles. And these may be interpreted of the several monarchies which have risen up to destroy each other; or of the angels whom God sends to execute his judgments; or of the four great promoters of God's work, Zerubbabel, Joshua, Ezra, and Nehemiah; and perhaps of the ministers of the Gospel, who go forth and are strengthened for carrying on the work of God in the midst of all opposition. Note; Whatever enemies are against us, we have greater friends for us: and, though sore thrust at that we may fall, in the Lord is our help, who will break all the horns of the ungodly.