Homilist Zechariah 8:9-10 Thus said the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, you that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets… The call is urged on two considerations — I. THE WRETCHEDNESS CONSEQUENT ON THE NEGLECT OF DUTY. They were then destitute of three elements essential to the well-being of any people. 1. Industry. "There was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast." The people were purposeless, lazy, and in a state of general lethargy and collapse. No great project inspired their interest, engrossed their attention, enlisted and marshalled their powers. The lack of industry is a curse to any people; it is an injury to health, as well as an obstruction to material and social progress. Another element of well-being of which they were destitute was — 2. Peace. "Neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction." The lack of earnest occupation naturally led to intestine broils and contentions. Nothing is more natural and more common than for people without employment to wrangle and dispute with one another. Men who are full of business have no time to quarrel. 3. Social unity. "For I set all men everyone against his neighbour." II. THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH ENSUES ON THE RESUMPTION OF DUTY. "But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts. For the seed shall be prosperous," etc. This means, but now, as you have resumed the work and rebuilt the temple, I will bless you. There are three blessings here promised. 1. Temporal prosperity. "For the seed shall be prosperous," etc. Material nature is in the hands of God, and He can at any moment make it a curse or a blessing to men. Here He promises to make it a blessing. 2. Social usefulness. On the resumption of the great duty which Heaven had enjoined on these returned captives they should be a blessing, 3. Divine favour Where there was Divine displeasure there would be Divine favour. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. |
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