Zechariah 9:1-8 The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man… 1. Every fulfilled prophecy is a distinct proof of the truth of the Bible — of its having been "given by inspiration of God," Prophecy is a miracle. We generally apply the word miracle to supernatural manifestations of power; but it is equally applicable to supernatural manifestations of knowledge. Knowledge of futurity belongs only to God. Jehovah frequently appeals to such foreknowledge of the future as one of His distinctive attributes. The accomplishment of Divine predictions stands out, incontestably, in the records of ancient history. 2. The true value of the evidences of revelation arises from the value of what is revealed. Were it of trivial importance, that would be itself a strong presumptive proof — almost, indeed, a conclusive one — that what professed to be a revelation had no real title to be so regarded. That which revelation does make known has in it to us a value beyond the powers of man or angel to estimate. It "shows unto us the way of salvation." This is its great discovery. It is no mere republication of the lessons of nature. It is not a mere volume of precepts. It does confirm all that nature teaches. It does set before us a perfect code of morals. But it does more: it addresses us not as creatures merely, but as sinners. It makes provision for us in this capacity — for our deliverance from the guilt, condemnation, and punishment of sin, and our restoration to the favour, the image, the enjoyment of God; and that for the eternity of our being. It is this that stamps every proof of the divinity of the Bible with such importance, — every species of evidence, and every variety of each species. The investigation of the evidence is what every man in his sane mind should feel to be the most momentous inquiry in which he can possibly be engaged. 3. The past fulfilment of prophecy should establish our "faith in God" regarding all that is yet future; and especially our "faith in God" as still in all His providential administration, having His eye upon the Church. His entire, extensive, and complicated administration is ever working out the development of the plan of salvation. 4. The enemies of God and of His people have cause to tremble. He will not leave either Himself or His people unavenged. He that "toucheth them toucheth the apple of His eye." It may at times be difficult to see on which side lies His favour; in seasons when "the ungodly prosper in the world," while "waters of a full cup are wrung out" to the faithful. In such seasons, love seems to be hidden, and even as inverting the order of its manifestations, and tempting the Christian to say — "How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?" But when the whole comes to be set by God, and seen by men in the light of the final judgment, all will be clear. The distinction, then, between His people and His enemies, will be fully, finally, and irreversibly marked; an everlasting separation made, and the "great gulf, fixed between them." (Ralph Wardlaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: The burden of the word of the LORD 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 the LORD. |
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