The benefits of God's presence.
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for to, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee," etc. In these verses the prophecy takes us back to a thought twice touched on already (see Zechariah 1:16; Zechariah 2:5), viz. the manifested presence of God with his people. Three times over in the present passage is this same thought referred to (observe" I will dwell," both in Zechariah 2:10 and Zechariah 2:11; and "habitation," in Zechariah 2:13). Taking this, therefore, as the main idea of the passage, we may learn from it, in a general way, how such a presence of God in Christ is connected
I. THE EXTENSION OF HIS KINGDOM. "Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day." So says the Angel-Jehovah here as the Representative and Equal of Jehovah. In what day? The "day" so often referred to of his "dwelling" or being amongst them. "Joined," in what manner? So as to become his "people" themselves. The illustrations of this general principle, whatever be the special application thereof primarily intended in this passage, are many. and close. Compare the command ("make disciples") and the promise ("I am with you") of Matthew 28:19, Matthew 28:20; also the connection, in Romans 11:12, Romans 11:15, between the restoration of Israel to God's favour (equivalent to his presence among them) and the conversion of the world; also Psalms 68:1-35, throughout; Genesis 49:10; 1 Corinthians 14:25; Isaiah 45:14; Zechariah 8:23.
II. THE STABLISHMENT OF HIS PEOPLE. "Thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me."
1. This partly due to the direct results of the manifested presence of Christ. Contrast the language of Cleophas ("we trusted," Luke 24:21), when he supposed Christ to be absent, with the language of the disciples, not long before, in his presence (John 16:30).
2. Partly due to its indirect effects as referred to just now. It greatly confirms our own faith in Christianity when we see strangers brought to believe it. The more widely a remedy is found to succeed, the more our trust in it is augmented. This truth seems recognized or implied in such passages as Romans 1:13; Acts 11:22, Acts 11:23; Colossians 1:3-6, Colossians 1:23, etc.
III. THE CONFUTATION OF UNBELIEF. "Be silent, O all flesh." All "flesh and blood"—human nature at large. Compare, after the presence and power of the Captain of the Lord's host (Joshua 5:13-15) had been so signally manifested in the events recorded in Joshua 10:1-43; how we read in the twenty-first verse of that chapter, that "none moved his tonque against any of the children of Israel" (see Exodus 11:7; Psalms 76:7-9; Zephaniah 1:7; Habakkuk 2:20). Also Romans 11:33-36, where we have the same arising of God to manifest his presence by restoring Israel to his favour (note expressions, "choose Jerusalem again," and "raised up," in Romans 11:12, Romans 11:13), and the same call to "silent awe and reverential contemplation" (Wardlaw) of his greatness. May we not also compare what is said in the prophecy of Enoch as quoted in Jude 1:14, Jude 1:15? When "every eye shall see him" (Revelation 1:7) every mind shall believe.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS.
1. How deep the foundations of gospel truth! Some of the most vital of these are connected with the Person and office of Christ, viz. as already referred to, his being at once the appointed Messenger and the personal Equal of God. Observe how each of these separate lines is woven into the whole tenor and structure of the passage before us. Three times over the person speaking is described as being "sent" (Jude 1:8, Jude 1:9, Jude 1:11); yet nowhere can we find any distinction as to authority between the speaker and Jehovah himself. So far from this, in fact, as to lead to an appearance of utter confusion between him who is sent and him who sends; like the apparent confusion to be found in the language of the Angel-Jehovah in Genesis 22:11, Genesis 22:12. A confusion, however, which, when viewed in the more explicit light of New Testament teaching, becomes comparatively clear, and even natural. How striking, because—on the human writer's part—how undesigned a coincidence!
2. How peculiarly important in these days the duty of preaching the gospel "afar off "! The best answer to sceptical questionings at home is to be found in missionary conquests abroad. Other religions, being the inventions of particular "races," suit those races alone. Christianity sails "every creature" (Mark 16:15), because the Creator's own work.