Then we enter on two great burdens: the first of them running on from Zechariah 9 to the end of Zechariah 11; and the next taking up some special features of chapter 11, which are expanded in the last burden to the end of the book.
As to the first, beginning with chapter 9, it is said, “The burden of the word of Jehovah in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward Jehovah” (vs. 1). We find accordingly the judgment of the nations which were near at hand. But further, while there should be the overthrow of Tyre and Sidon—while there should be sorrow therefore for Ashkelon and Gaza—it is written that there should be a state of confusion in Judah. But Jehovah would undertake the cause of the people. “And I will encamp about Mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with Mine eyes” (vs. 8). This brings in the Messiah. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (vs. 9). We know how this is applied by the evangelists, just so far as was true then, and no farther, leaving for future fulfillment what did not then apply. It would be hard to wish for a finer instance of scripture exactitude where all is perfect. The mode of citation clearly shows the admirable manner in which the Holy Spirit is pleased to employ the Old Testament. There is first of all His title, and then His character, but not the consequences for others, of which unbelief deferred the accomplishment.
Application to Alexander’s Progress, but Not Exhausted Then
As to the early verses of the chapter there seems no reason to question that they distinctly apply to the march of Alexander’s army and the heavy blows struck north and south of Judea after the battle of Issus (as well as certain successes of Jews long afterward over Greeks), and above all to Jehovah’s then protection of His house when the conqueror of the east passed by on his return westward to secure the coasts of the Mediterranean before pushing into the interior of Asia (vs. 8). Even rationalists admit the exact parallel between the list of his captures and the places which gave him especial trouble in besieging them, as Tyre and Gaza; as well as the long subsequent Maccabean victories. But plain as this is and, in its measure, important, how much more so is it to see that as a whole the prophecy like others is of no isolated interpretation? It joins all the rest in converging on the great events of the last days when the King shall make good the sure mercies of David, now established in His resurrection, by coming to them, not as before in humiliation but in power and glory (though that be the pledge of this), and sounding the trumpet as He defends themselves visibly (not His house as erst invisibly in His providence), and saving them in that day as the flock of His people, when they shall be more conspicuous for strength against all adversaries than they have ever been for weakness and fear, and they shall walk up and down in His name, saith Jehovah.
The prophecy most plainly renews the time of the judgment when Jehovah is seen cutting off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse and the battle bow from Jerusalem. At that very time, He will undertake for the Jew. “Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee; when I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man” (vss. 12-13). This is the more remarkable, because Greece was then coming forward and soon going to overthrow the Persian master of Israel; but the day comes when the sons of Zion shall surely overthrow Greece. If this has never yet been, it remains to be. “And Jehovah shall be seen over them” (vs. 14). This clearly marks when the accomplishment must be, even when the glory of Jehovah shall be manifested in this world. “And Jehovah shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and Jehovah God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south” (vs. 14). It is really no small absurdity to apply all this to anything that has ever been since here below.
A Representative of All the Imperial Powers May Be Expected When Judgment Falls
We see that Greece does not merge in the beast when it rises from the abyss according to the energetic symbolical language of the Revelation. We must leave scope for all the actors in the final crisis, for the eastern as well as the western powers, and others of less moment who move rather independently. The last resuscitated empire will represent the previous universal empires as to their principles—that is Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece—but will not have their dominions.
The principle is one thing, their territorial possessions another. It seems plain from Daniel 2 That there will be a representative of all in that day when the blow falls on the feet of iron-clay and breaks them to pieces. Then we find the gold and silver and the brass and iron not all changed into iron, but each with a representative, not excepting even Babylon, although the Roman only retain among them imperial power. Thus there will be a representative of Persia, and so it exists now. There will be a representative of Greece, as we know it has begun to be represented afresh, but it will assume, I suppose, a more definite form and greater importance. Assyria, as we have frequently seen, will be represented by the king of the north where the Ottoman Porte is now—I do not say properly or formally Russian, but certainly a power in league with Russia, subservient to its policy and maintained by its influence. The remoter power will be its suzerain, which seems to me implied in Daniel’s description (Dan. 8:2424And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Daniel 8:24)). It will be an energetic power, which is far from being true now any more than of Greece. As we know, neither can keep head against external foes or maintain order in their own dominions: such is their state of prostration or disorganization. But there will be a vast development, and with it may be great rapidity. It would appear that much of it will be brought about by Russian power, no doubt to further their aggressive policy. I believe that this lies before Greece; but, coming into collision later with Judah, its total overthrow is shown here in a general way. “Jehovah of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. And Jehovah their God shall save them in that day as the flock of His people” (vss. 15-16). Thus we see the union of future power and glory on earth with the statement that He should come having salvation. “For how great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!” (vs. 17). The general beneficence of His reign follows.