Zechariah 2:4 And said to him, Run, speak to this young man, saying… Zechariah is, of all the prophets, most remarkable for the simple, practical purpose with which he employs the grandest prophetic symbols. The text is the speech of one angel to another angel in regard of a young man who, in symbolic action significant of Israel's redemption and enlargement, was going forth with a measuring line to take the length and breadth of Jerusalem. Using the text simply as an accommodation, it may have a twofold direction. I. TO MYSELF, AS PREACHING TO YOUNG MEN. It is an earnest exhortation unto the Christian minister to labour especially with young men. The conversion of young men is so important — 1. Because, in most cases, if not converted while they are young, they will never be converted. Divine grace, in its very sovereignty, operates according to the laws of our moral and intellectual nature. Youth is the most favourable period for religious impressions. 2. Be cause of the peculiar power of young men to accomplish great things for God and their generation. Young men are hopeful; young men are brave; young men are fertile in invention: and thus young men are strong in all qualities that secure earthly success. The foundations of all true greatness must be laid in early life. The energy of youth is the world's mightiest influence; and that influence is especially needful in the Church. II. TO YOU, AS YOUNG MEN AND CHRISTIANS. The words set forth the means, objects, and manner of a. great Christian duty. 1. The means. "Speak." Use that grand power of articulate utterance; it is almost man's finest gift. Language is reason, walking forth with tremendous energy amid the vital interests of the race. Consider the wonderful title of the Divine Son — the Word. 2. The objects of your labour. Consider some distinct classes of young men with whom you are called earnestly to labour. (1) Strangers who have just come into your sphere. (2) The young man beginning to associate with evil companions. The pitiful idler. The fashionable young man. The spendthrift. The dishonest employer. The openly profane and impure man. Corruptors of youth, etc. (3) The sceptical young man. (4) The young men whose lives are already practically immoral. The profane man. The Sabbath breaker. The dishonest. The impure. 3. The manner of their labour. "Run." The extent of your influence over others will depend not so much upon your talents as your discretion. Be earnest, thoroughly in earnest — (1) Because these young men are in imminent and deadly peril. (2) Because the work itself is all important. (C. Wadsworth.) Parallel Verses KJV: And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: |
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