Zechariah 1:18-21 Then lifted I up my eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.… I. For INSTRUCTION. The progress of the wicked in their enmity against the Church, is but the prologue to the Church's deliverance. First, the horns arise and play their part; and this brings on the hammermen to act their part. II. For ADMONITION: that God's people be not offended, or dismayed, when they see things, go contrary to their deliverance. At such times let us calm ourselves — 1. With a consideration of the just aggravation of our own sins, our disunion and security that opened the door to let in the misery. 2. With the consideration of the character of the horns. It is the nature of a beast to do as they do, to push and scatter. A brute will be a brute. A devil will be a devil. But beasts are not made to rule over men. And the devil is the gaoler of the wicked, not our ruler. 3. As the constitution, so the complexion of the last times is indeed the worst; so no better is to be expected for a time, but, though the several hammers make at first but a confused noise, and the pieces of the building lie in the dust, yet, ere long, the new building is reared, and the Great Master of the house comes in and dwells among us in it. III. For EXHORTATION. 1. Let us not judge by sense, but by faith. 2. Judge not by present action, but by their productive tendency. 3. Judge not by the meanness of means, but by the might of the hand that useth them. (N. Homes.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. |
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