Zechariah 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, you prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double to you; The prophet exhorts both those who had returned from Babylon and those who continued in Babylon to direct their eyes to the Messiah, to shelter themselves in Him as their stronghold. I. THE CHARACTERS DESCRIBED. "Prisoners of hope." Such is the condition of man in general. Still, even these are prisoners of hope. They have not yet crossed the portal on which justice hath graven, "There is no hope." Still more emphatically are they "prisoners of hope" who feel their bondage and pant for liberty. II. THE DIRECTION HERE GIVEN. "Turn ye to the stronghold." The soul is invited to trust in Christ as the only refute and hope of the guilty. III. THE PROMISE WITH WHICH THE TEXT CLOSES. I will render double unto thee. This expression is used in Scripture to describe a blessedness exceeding all that we can ask or think. Not according to our former sufferings, but double; not according to the punishment we have deserved for our sins, but double; not even the like blessings as were enjoyed by saints of old, but double. (Stephen Bridge, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; |
    |