Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 14

Verse 1

Zec 14:1. The general subject of this whole chapter should be considered before trying to conclude on the meaning of any particular verse. The subject is the triumph of the Gospel over all the enemies of the Lord. The mention of unusual events of a material nature is only for the purpose of illustration and emphasis, aud I shall comment on them from that standpoint. Spoil be divided in the midst of thee. The good things avail¬able will not be given into the hands of the enemy but will be retained by the Lord's people.

Verse 2

Zec 14:2. The events described here are the kind that would be done in a literal siege around Jerusalem. It will be accomplished figuratively in that much opposition will be attempted against the new system of the Lord to be set up In Jerusalem.

Verse 3

Zec 14:3. This fight will be with the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph 6:17).

Verse 4

Zec 14:4. The mount of Olives was a small but very Important spot in Biblical times, especially in the days of Christ, It was from that place that He ascended to heaven in sight of some of the disciples. He will come back at the last day In person but in spiritual form. He will not come literally in the meantime, but will come spiritually when he sends the Holy Spirit to set up the church. In that sense he will stand upon the mount of Olives. Of course the reader should bear in mind that the future tense of this language is used because at the time of this writing the church was in the future. A valley can be formed by the two halves of a mountain and such a valley would provide a place of security for a mansion.

Verse 5

Zec 14:5. This verse is figurative and refers to the same commotions indicated in the first part of the chapter. The reason for referring to the earthquake in the days of Uzziah is only as an Illustration. The history of this earthquake is quoted in connection with the comments on Amo 1:1. The upheaval that was caused bv the introduction of the Gospel was likened to the material one described in this note.

Verse 6

Zec 14:6-7. On the basis of reason¬ing from the simple to the complex, or from the known to the unknown, I will conclude this paragraph is an indefinite prediction of the general diffusion of Gospel light that was to be shed from Jerusalem at the beginning of the kingdom of Christ. We may he certain that is the chief subject of the chapter as a whole, and hence these peculiar expressions should be interpreted in that light. Not clear nor dark means there will not be extremes either way. One day known to the Lord. It will not be done exactly as man might have suggested, but it will he according to the Lord’s wisdom. Not day nor night has about the same meaning as the phrase “not clear nor dark'’ above. Evening it shall be light. So consistent will the spiritual day be that when it would normally he expected to dim toward the night it will still continue to be light.

Verse 8

Zec 14:8. Former sea . . . hinder sea is a figure meaning from east to west. These tiling waters of God’s truth will not be confined to one spot but will flow out to all parts of the earth. Summer and winter is another figure of speech which means the living waters of truth will flow continuously.

Verse 9

Zec 14:9. This verse justifies the comments on the foregoing ones. It is a prediction of the universal dominion of the Gospel of Christ as differing from that of the Mosaic law that was for the Jews only. One Lord and his name one corresponds with "one fold and one shepherd" in Joh 10:16.

Verse 10

Zec 14:10. The places and objects named are used figuratively. The meaning is the same as the general subject of the chapter, namely, general spreading of the truth.

Verse 11

Zec 14:11, This verse was fulfilled materially and spiritually. Jerusalem became settled after the captivity and was a safe ptacts for the people of Israel to inhabit. It also was the headquarters of the kingdom of Christ that was to be a safe place for the spiritual citizens of the household of faith.

Verse 12

Zec 14:12. These afflictions are figurative terms for the humiliation and defeat of the enemies of the Gospel of Christ. It is similar in thought to the statements in the beginning of the chapter relative to the victory of truth over error.

Verse 13

Zec 14:13. General confusion was to overwhelm those who tried to resist the new institution set up in Jerusalem. So great was that confusion to be that the enemies would be turned against each other as if they were strangers.

Verse 14

Zec 14:14. Judah shall fight at Jerusalem. The margin renders it "against Jerusalem” which denotes that the people of God will oppose the wealth of the heathen that will accumulate around the city.

Verse 15

Zec 14:15. These beasts of service that are used by the heathen will not enable them to prevent the great work of the Lord, but will be defeated according to verses 1-3.

Verse 16

Zec 14:16. Many who had opposed the Lord will be converted and will go up to worship. They will look to Jerusalem for the divine model of true worship. This great truth is predicted in Isa 2:1-4 and Mic 4:1-5.

Verse 17

Zec 14:17. Shall he no rain is a figurative prediction that all who refuse the Gospel will be denied the spiritual favors of the Lord.

Verse 18

Zec 14:18. This is the same in mean¬ing as the preceding verse. The hea¬then (or Gentiles) will all be given a chance to enjoy the blessings issued from Jerusalem, but if they refuse it they will be rejected by the Lord.

Verse 19

Zec 14:19. Keep the feast is a figure drawn from the literal practices of the Jews in Jerusalem under the Mosaic system. It here refers to the spiritual system or institution set up in Jerusalem to supplant the former one.

Verse 20

Zec 14:20. Horses were used in tem¬poral warfare by the people of Israel, They are used figuratively for the spiritual war under Christ against sin in all its forms. The objective in all the great warfare will be plainly announced to all the opposing forces. It will be done by a banner-like and it will read HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.

Verse 21

Zec 14:21. These vessels refer to those used in the Jewish service, but denote the spiritual ones under Christ. No more the Canaanite means that no one of the heathen shall be admitted until he has submitted to the rule of heaven under Christ.