Zechariah 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. This is manifested throughout all the Holy Scriptures. This is attested both by the Apostles and by our Lord Himself (Acts 10:43; Luke 24:27; John 5:39). In the New Testament He shines like the sun in an unclouded atmosphere. In the Old, though generally veiled, He often bursts forth as from behind a cloud with astonishing beauty and splendour. Nor could the prophet himself forbear exclaiming with wonder and admiration, "How great is His goodness!" etc. I. THE GOODNESS OF OUR LORD. In the context He is set forth as the God of providence and of grace. And in order to behold His goodness we must view Him in both respects. 1. As the God of providence. As all things were created, so are they upheld and governed by Him. To Him we owe the preservation of our corporeal and intellectual powers. We are continually fed by His bounty, and protected by His arm. The meanest creature in the universe has abundant reason to adore Him — His own people in particular may discern unnumbered instances of His goodness in His dispensations towards them. His most afflictive as well as His more pleasing dispensations afford them much occasion for gratitude and thanksgiving (Psalm 119:75). 2. As a God of grace. Jesus is the one fountain of spiritual blessings to His Church (Ephesians 1:22). Neither prophets nor apostles had any grace but from Him (John 1:16). To Him must we ascribe every good disposition that is in our hearts (Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 12:2). What reason, then, have His faithful followers to bless His name! With what gratitude should they acknowledge His continued kindness! Though they have often turned back from Him, He has not cast them off. Yea, rather, He has "healed their backslidings and loved them freely." Surely every blessing they receive and every victory they gain should fill them with admiring thoughts of His goodness (2 Corinthians 2:14). If we have just conceptions of His goodness we shall be more able to behold — II. HIS BEAUTY. The world beholds "no beauty nor comeliness in" the face of Jesus. But the saints of old "saw His glory as the glory of the only-begotten of the Father." This we also may. see if we survey Him — 1. In this Divine character. "We cannot by searching find out the Almighty to perfection." Little do we know of the greatness of His majesty, or the thunder of His power (Job 26:14). We cannot comprehend His unsearchable wisdom, His unspotted holiness, His inviolable truth and faithfulness. His glory is more than the feeble language of mortality can express. 2. In HIS human character Here we look at Him, as the Jews at Moses when his face was veiled. And can contemplate Him more easily because He shines with a less radiant lustre. But principally must we view Him during the course of His ministry. What marvellous compassion did He manifest to the souls and bodies of men! Not one applied to Him for bodily or spiritual health without obtaining his request. And when many were hardened in their sins He wept over them (Luke 19:41). His zeal for God was ardent and unremitted. His meekness, patience, fortitude were altogether invincible. Whatever was amiable and excellent in man abounded in Him (Psalm 45:2). Nor, though continually tried in the hottest furnace, was there found in Him the smallest imperfection or alloy (John 14:30). 3. In His mediatorial character. With what readiness did He become a surety for sinful man (Psalm 40:7, 8). What astonishing condescension did He manifest in uniting Himself to our nature! How cheerfully did He go forth to meet the sufferings that were appointed for Him. His obedience unto death was the fruit of His love and the price of our redemption. How beautiful is He now in the eyes of those who behold His glory! And how will He "be admired and glorified by all" in the last day! Satan must have blinded us, indeed, if we be yet insensible to His charms (2 Corinthians 4:4). If we be true believers, He cannot but be precious to our souls (1 Peter 2:7). (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids. |
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