Commentary on the Minor Prophets, Commentary 11 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Verſe 1. ANd I turned, and lift up mine eyes] i. e. I paſſed on to another viſion: and 1 lifted up the eyes of my mind, higher to heaven, ſaith Hierom, to receive a further revelation from God. And whereas he ſaith, I turned, he declareth, that God from on every ſide giveth his Church clear teſtimonies of his care of her, ſo that ſhe will give heed unto them, and lift up her eyes.
there came four chariots out] i.e. four ſquadrons of Angels, Gods Warriours, and Miniſters of his manifold decrees, which are here ſet forth by the name of brazen mountains. 2 King. 2.11 2 King. 6.17 So Hab. 3.8See chap. 1.8. with the Note. Chariots the Angels are called in many places: but eſpecially Pſal. 68.17. The chariots of God (in the Hebrew it is chariot, in the ſingular, to note the joynt ſervice of all the Angels) are twenty thouſand, foreign.even thouſands of Angels. (of chearfull ones, ſo the Septuagint, of ſuch as ſerve the Lord readily, and freely, with joy and tranquillity, and ſo do quiet his ſpirit,Deut. 33.26 God rideth upon the heavens for Iſra. els help, i.e. upon the Angels. Heb. as it is ſaid here vorſe 8: give him full ſatisfaction) The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the holy place: that is, the Angels by their ſwiftneſſe and warlike proweſſe make Sion (the Church) as dreadfull to all her enemies (did not one of them ſo to Sennacherib?) as thoſe Angels made Sinai, at the delivery of the Law, which was given in fire, Deut. 33.2. The word rendred Angels, in the above-cited Pſal. 68.17. (and ſo the Chaldee plainly expreſſeth it) is by ſome (who derive it of Shaan, to ſharpen) referred to chariots: to note a kinde of chariots, armed with ſharp hooks, uſed in warres, as many humane Writers record. And ſo it maketh ſomething to the confirmation of this Interpretation,Statius. Macrob. Vegetius. concerning Angels, rather then the four Monarchies. But the Angel himſelf is our beſt Interpreter, verſe 5. where, being asked by Zachary, what theſe chariots were? he anſwereth, Theſe are the four ſpirits of the heavens, which go ſorth from ſtanding before the Lord of all the earth, a plain Periphraſis of the Angels, chap. 1.10. See the Note there.
from between two mountains] tanquam è carceribus, as deſigned by Gods all diſpoſing providence, and power, and ready preſt at his appointment and pleaſure to run their race, do their office, execute Gods judgements, which are both unſearchable, and inevitable: and this the Poets hammer'd at in their ineluctabile Fatum, as they called it. Gods decrees lie hid under mountains of braſſe, as it were, till they come to execution: they run as a river under ground, till they break out and ſhew themſelves. When he hath once ſignified his will, then we underſtand it; which before lay hid from us: that is, when theſe chariots come out from between the mountains of braſſe, when the event declareth what was the immutable decrce of God. Hence the Pſalmiſt, Thy right couſneſſe is like the great mountains; thy judgements are a great deep: this for the decree. And for the execution, Thou preſerveſt man and beaſt, (Pſal. 36.6.) but by ſuch means, and in ſuch manner as to thee ſeemeth beſt. It is our part to ſay Amen to his Amen, and to put our F…at and Placet to his. The will of the Lord be done, ſaid thoſe primitive Chriſtians, Act. 21.14. Here am I, ſend me, Eſay 6.8.
Verſe 2. In the firſt chariot were red horſes, &c.] Theſe ſeverall colours ſeem to ſet forth the diverſe miniſtrations of the Angels, deputed to ſeverall employments. The black colour betokeneth ſorrowfull occurrences and revolutions. The white, joyfull. The red, bloody. The griſled, ſundry and mixt matters, partly joyfull, and partly ſorrowfull. But I eaſily ſubſcribe to Him that ſaid, We muſt be content to be ignorant of the full meaning of this viſion. Tanta eſt profunditas Chriſtianarum literarum, ſaith Auſtin, ſo great is the depth of divine learning that there is no fathoming of it. Prophecy is pictured like a Matrone, with her eyes covered, for the difficulty. For which cauſe Paulinus Nolanus would never be drawn to write Commentaries: and Pſellus in Theodoret asketh pardon for expounding the Canticles of Solomon.
Verſe 4. What are theſe my Lord?] Difficulty doth but whet deſire in Heroick ſpirites: the harder the viſion, the more earneſt was the Prophets inquiſition. he was reſtleſſe, till better reſolved; and therefore applieth himſelf again to his Angel-Tutour, rather then Tutelar, whom, for honour ſake, he calleth My Lord. See the Note on chap. 4.5. and take notice of the truth of Saint Peters Aſſertion concerning the Prophetick ſcrutiny (1 Pet. 1.11.) with greateſt ſagacity and ſedulity.
Verſe 5. Theſe are the four ſpirits of the heavens] Angels are ſpirits, Heb. 1.7, 14. and ſpirits of heaven, Mat. 24.36. Gal. 1.8. reſembling their Creatour, as children do their Father, both in their ſubſtance which is incorporeall,Hence they are called ſons of God, Job 1.6. and 38.7 and in their excellent properties, Life, and Immortality, Bleſſedneſſe, and Glory: a part whereof is their juſt Lordſhip and command over inferiour creatures. For like as miniſtring ſpirits they ſtand before the Lord of the whole earth, who ſends them out at his pleaſure, to ſerve his providence: ſo, they have, (as his Agents and Inſtruments, no ſmall ſtroke, in the ordering and managing of naturall and civill affairs, as may be ſeen in the firſt of Ezechiel. The wheels, that is, the events of things, have eyes, that is, ſomething that might ſhew the reaſon of their turnings, if we could ſee it. And they are ſtirred but as the living creatures, that is the Angels ſtirred them: And both the wheels and living creatures were acted and guided by Gods ſpirit as the principall and ſupream Cauſe of all, the Lord of the whole earth, as he is here called.
that ſtand before, &c.] As waiting his commands, and ready to runne on his errand, Mat. 18:10. Dan. 7.10. Jacob at Bethel ſaw them. 1. aſcending, ſc. to contemplate and praiſe God, and to miniſter to him. 2. deſcending, ſc. to execute Gods will upon men, for mercy, or for judgement, Pſal. 103.20. For which purpoſe, Ezekiel tells us that they have four faces, to look every way, when as Gods watch-men they ſtand ſentinell in heavens turret. And that the ſole of their feet is like the ſole of Calves feet, round, and ready to go either forward or backward with greateſt facility: that as they ſee every way, ſo they are apt to go every way for the diſpenſing of Gods benefits, and executing of his chaſtiſements toward the Elect, and vengeance on the reprobates. All this they do juſtly,2 Sam. 24.17 2 King. 19.35 Gen. 19.11 Acts 12.23 Rev. 16.16 diligently and purely, with faith in receiving Gods commands, Rev. 15.6. clothed in pure white linen, and having their breaſts girded with golden girdles. Let us labour to obey God, as Angels do: elſe we may be Angels for gifts, and yet go to hell.
Verſe 6. The black horſes which are therein, &c. Theſe Angels are appointed to ſeverall Countries. The black horſes to Babylon, (which lay North from Judaea) to inflict vengeance. The white horſes are ſent with them, to deliver the Church out of Babylon: and to bring their brethren for an offering unto the Lord, upon horſes, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon ſwift beaſts to Gods holy Mountain Jeruſalem, Eſay 66, 20.
And the griſled go forth toward the South countrey] To ſhew that the puniſhments of Egypt, and Arabia (which lay South-ward from Judaea) ſhould be ſomewhat mixed, and mitigated: they ſhould be in better caſe then Babylon: yet not ſo good, as that the Jews ſhould dream of a happy eſtate in thoſe countries: but rather repair to Judaea, and there keep them; ſith thoſe that are out of Gods precincts, cincts, are out of his protection, Pſal. 91.9, 10, 11, 12.
Verſe 7. And the bay went forth, &c.] Junius reads it, And the ſtrong, or confirmed ones: that is, the Angels, armed with power, and authority from God for the execution of his will, Eſay 10.34. Lebanon ſhall fall by a mighty One, that is, by an Angel. 2 Theſſ. 1.7. they are called the Angels of Gods power: and elſewhere principalities, and powers.
and ſought to go, that they might-walk to and fro thorow the earth] Not onelyonly toward the South, as verſe 6. This doth not teach, that the Angels are more carefull of this world then God is, of whom they deſired it. But firſt, that they can do nothing without commiſſion from Him. Secondly, that they are ever ready to offer their ſervice and to yeeld obedience, upon the leaſt intimation of the Divine pleaſure.
Verſe 8. Then cried he upon me] That I might the better obſerve it: ſith he ſpake it with ſo great vehemency.
Have pacified my ſpirit] i.e. perfecerunt voluntatem meam, as the Chaldee here hath it, they have done my work thoroughly, to my great content. When the Churches enemies are ſlaughtered, God inviteth the birds and beaſts to a feaſt, as it were for joy: and taketh as much delight in their juſt puniſhment, as any man can do in a cup of generous wine: whence it is called the wine of Gods wrath, Rev. 14.10. See Deut. 28.63.
Verſe 9. And the word of the Lord came unto me ſaying,] This ſecond part of the Chapter, is not a viſion, but a Sermon, or an hiſtoricall prediction of what was really to be done. For as Gods Spirit was quieted, and as it were comforted by the Angels faithfull execution of their offices: ſo He ſeeks by this Prophecy, to quiet and comfort the ſpirits of his people the Iews, that were returned out of Babylon. For theſe finding themſelves beſet with enemies, and exigencies, might poſſibly deſpair of ever ſeeing the accompliſhment of thoſe promiſes and prophecies of the kingdome reſtored to the houſe of David, and of the great glory of the ſecond Temple above the firſt. To keep up their hearts therefore, is this declaration made them of the kingdome and prieſtood of Chriſt, under the typicall coronation of Jehoſhuah the High-prieſt.
Verſ. 10. Take of them of the captivity] i. e. Of the returned captives, even of Heldai, Num. 16.2.of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah] Men famous in the Congregation, men of renown. That theſe four mentioned here (taking in Joſiah, who is alſo called Her, verſe 14.) were Embaſſadours from the godly Jews in Babylon, and brought their giſts, as Junius thinketh, I cannot affirm. But that they were the ſame with Daniel, Shadrach, Meſhach, and Abednego, as the Jews and Hierom tell us, I do not beleeve. Joſiah ſeemeth to be the Hoſte to the other three: as Gaius was to St. Paul, and other good people. Though ſome think rather, he was either treaſurer for the Temple, or elſe a gold-ſmith, and one that could make crowns. Calvin conjectures from the fourteenth verſe; (where it is ſaid, that the crowns ſhall be to theſe men for a memoriall) that being men of authority, they were deeply guilty of infidelity and impatiency, becauſe they …aw not a preſent performance of the promiſes; they were diſcontented themſelves, and diſcouraged others. Ye have need of patience, ſaith the Apoſtle to thoſe ſhort ſpirited Hebrews chap. 10.36. who found it more eaſie to ſuffer evil, thento wait for the promiſed good.
and come thou the ſame day] Either the ſame day theſe men came from Babylon: Or, the ſelf-ſame day that the Lord ſpake to the Prophet, is hee commanded to go, not to put it off a day longer: for the people needed a ſpeedy and haſty comfort. No ſooner had God prepared the people, but the thing was done ſuddenly, as 2 Chron. 29.36. No ſooner were they ripe, but he was ready. He is a God of judgement, a wiſe God, that knowes when to deal forth his favours: As till then he waits to be gracious, Eſay 30.18. His fingers itch to be doing good in his good pleaſure to Sion: as the mothers breaſts ake, when now it is time the child had ſuck. He exalteth the lowly, he filleth the hungry with good things. When once David is poor and needy, God will make no tarriance, Pſal. 40.17. when his ſoul is even as a weaned child, then he ſhall have the kingdom, Pſal. 131.2.
Verſe 11. Make crowns] Two, ſaith Piſcator: one of gold, for the Kingly dignity, another of ſilver for the Prieſthood. Three, ſaith A Lapide, who makes it a type as of Chriſts threefold office, ſo of the Popes triple crown: which later relateth rather to Prides picture drawn by the old Romanes, with three crowns on her head; On the firſt whereof was in ſcribed Tranſcendo: on the ſecond Non obedio: on the third Perturbo. Danaeus thinks it likely by the 14. verſe, that here were foure crowns made according to the number of the foure perſons here mentioned, that brought in the gold and ſilver. Ribera will have it to be all but one crown made of both metalls, and called crowns for the greatneſſe of it;Chald. vertit Facies coronam magnam. as Wiſdomes for ſingular wiſdome, Pro. 1. Behemoth Beaſts, for an huge beaſt Iob 40. The Verb ſingular tihieh ver. 14. ſeemes moſt to favour this conceit of his. But in Hebrew the ſingular is oft put for the plurall.
Verſe 12. And ſpake unto him ſaying, Thus ſpeaketh the Lord of Hoſts ſaying] that is, Confidently and Conſtantly affirme and averr it: that notwithſtanding all unlikely hood, and unbeliefe on the peoples part, Almighty God will ſurely bring it to paſſe: This heape of words importeth ſo much: for do ye think the ſcripture ſpeaketh in vaine? ſaith St. James, not without ſome holy indignation, chap. 4.5.
behold the man whoſe name is the Branch] The man Chriſt Jeſus,Rom. 1.3. who was made of the ſeed of David according to the fleſh: and as a Branch grew out of his roots Eſay 11.1. See the Note above on chap. 3.4. Jehoſhuah, 2 Cor. 12.7. Rom. 12.3.that he might not be exaited above meaſure with the abundance of this new honour, or think of himſelf more highly then he ought to think, is given to underſtand, that he is crownned for no other cauſe then this, that the Jewes might underſtand, that there ſhould One ariſe, that ſhould be both a King and a Prieſt alſo for ever after the order of Melchiſedeck: and his name ſhould be the Branch, Not only becauſe when he was a child, he grew in age and in wiſdome, and in grace with God and men, (which is Vatablus his reaſon) but becauſe he is the …oot, fountain, and foundation of all the faithfull, who do grow up and increaſe in him, with the increaſe of God: Hence it followeth.
he ſhall grow up out of his place, and ſhall build the Temple of God] that is, the Church, which at all times hath been gathered together by Chriſt, through the preaching of the Goſpel.
and he ſhall grow up out of his place] Or He (the Branch) ſhall branch up de ſub ſe, from under hinſelf: he ſhall be born of himſelf, as it were, of poor parentage; for this Branch grew out of the root of Ieſſe, when that goodly family was ſunk ſo low, as from David the king to Joſeph the carpenter. He that writeth the life of King Edward 6. ſaith of his Tutours Dr. Cox, and Mr. Iohn Cheek, Sr. Iohn Heywood.that they were men of meane birth; but ſo well eſteemed for vertue and learning, that they might well be ſaid to be born of themſelves.
and he ſhall build the Temple of the Lord] i. e. the ſpirituall temple, that Temple the Church, the glory where of was far greater then the glory of the former Hag. 2.9. See the Note there. And this he ſhould do in the quality of a king, and with royall magnificence. Ye alſo as lively ſtones elect and precious are built up a ſpirituall houſe, an holy Prieſthood &c. 1. Pet. 2.5.
Verſe 13. Even he ſhall build the Temple of the Lord] The ſame againe for greater aſſurance: as Pharaoh's dream was doubled. Or, Even he ſhall build it, that is, he ſhall both begin and finiſh it (It is the ſame word againe, but in the future tenſe) Chriſt is called the Authour and Fimſher of our faith Heb. 12.2.
and he ſhall beare the glory] Jeſus ſhall, not thou Jehoſhuah (in Greek, Jeſus) though now thou beare the crown. All thy glory is but figurative of his. Thus ſaith the Lord, Remove the diadem (or mitre) take off the crown: this ſhall not be the ſame &c. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it ſhall be no more, untill he come whoſe right it is, and I will give it him, that is Chriſt the king and prieſt of his Church. Particularly for his Kingly office, he ſhall ſit and rule upon his throne, as a Soveraigne Lord of all: And for his Prieſtly office
he ſhall be a Prieſt upon his throne likewiſe] for the Church alſo hath her throne and juriſdiction, though diſtinct and ſevered from the civill.
and the counſell of peace ſhall be between them both] i. e. there ſhall be no claſhing between theſe two offices in Chriſt; as there was ſometimes between the Kings and the Prieſts of former ages, but they ſhould, as it were, take ſweet counſell together for the good of the Church: Chriſt having purchaſed all peace to his people by his Pr…eſ…hood, and maintaining and defending it, by his Kingdome.
Verſe 14. And the crownes ſhall be to Halem—for a memoriall] Or monument of their incredulity, ſaith Calvin, and for their full conviction. See the Note above on verſe 10. Or their liberality, fay others, and peradventure with ſome inſeription or remembrance of their names (here recorded) for honour ſake. But beſt of all thoſe that ſay theſe duties were for a memoriall in the Temple of the Meſſiah that was ſhortly to be expected, and was preſently promiſed. The poor Jewes at this day are ſaid to have a crown hanging in their ſynagogues, againſt the comming of their long lookt-for Meſſiah.Taim. in Sanhed. cap. 11 And that he comes not all thi… while, they ſay it is for their ſins which are many and bony, or, migh…y, (foreign.) But now ſeeing he ſtayes ſo long, he ſhalibe, ſay they, a forerunner of the end of the world,Spec. Eur. and ſhall gather by his power all nation, into one fold, according to that which here followeth.
Verſe 15. And they that are farr off] This was fulfilled in the converſion of the Gentiles who together with the Chriſtian Jewes grew up into an holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2.19. &c. It was alſo in ſome ſenſe fulfilled in Cyrus, Darius A…ta…s, Herod, who were at great charge for the Temple-work. See Ezra 7.15, 16. the King and his Councel, the Babylonian and Jewes make a contribution to the work.
and ye ſhall know] ſc. by the event, and by your own experience.
If you will dilig…ntly obey the voyce] That is, If by faith ye receive Chriſt held forth in the promiſe: and then petfift in the obedience o… faith unto the end.