Verse 2

Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write for thee all the words that I have spoken to thee in a a book.

(a) Because they would be assured and their posterity confirmed in the hope of this deliverance promised.

Verse 5

For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a b voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.

(b) He shows that before this deliverance will come, the Chaldeans would be extremely afflicted by their enemies, and that they would be in such perplexity and sorrow as a woman in her travail as (Isaiah 13:8).

Verse 7

Alas! for that c day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

(c) Meaning that the time of their captivity would be grievous.

Verse 8

d For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, [that] I will break e his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more f bring him into subjection:

(d) When I will visit Babylon.

(e) Of the king of Babylon.

(f) That is, of Jacob.

Verse 9

But they shall serve the LORD their God, and g David their king, whom I will raise up to them.

(g) That is, Messiah who would come of the stock of David according to the flesh and would be the true pastor, (Ezekiel 34:23) who is set forth and his kingdom would be everlasting in the person of David, (Hosea 3:5).

Verse 11

For I [am] with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not h leave thee altogether unpunished.

(h) In this is commanded God's great mercy toward his, who does not destroy them for their sins, but corrects and chastises them till he has purged and pardoned them and so burns the rods by which he punished them, (Isaiah 33:1).

Verse 18

Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captives of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be built upon her own heap, and the m palace shall remain after its manner.

(m) Meaning that the city and the temple would be restored to their former estate.

Verse 19

And out of them shall proceed n thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

(n) He shows how the people will with praise and thanksgiving acknowledge this blessing.

Verse 21

And their o nobles shall be from themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach to me: for who [is] this that engaged his p heart to approach to me? saith the LORD.

(o) Meaning, Zerubbabel, who was the figure of Christ in whom this was accomplished.

(p) Signifying that Christ willingly submits himself to the obedience of God his father.

Verse 23

Behold, q the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.

(q) Lest the wicked hypocrites should flatter themselves with these promises the prophet shows what will be their portion.

Verse 24

The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he hath done [it], and until he hath performed the intents of his heart: in the r latter days ye shall consider it.

(r) When this Messiah and deliverer is sent.