Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryZechariah 14

Persecution of the Church; Judgments and Mercies; Encouraging ProspectsThis chapter shows that God's plans for his church can change in surprising ways. Sometimes God sends hard times, but he also gives hope and mercy. His judgments and blessings are often mixed together, and he uses both for good purposes.v. 1: When the day of the Lord

v. 2: But God will not let his people be completely destroyed. He promises that a remnant will survive. Even though many are taken away, some will remain in the city. This is like the “third part” that God saves as mentioned earlier (Zechariah 13:8 ). God always keeps some of his people safe, just as he said there would be a tenth left (Isaiah 6:13; Ezekiel 5:3 ).

v. 3: After using other nations to punish Jerusalem, God will then fight against those enemies. The Lord

v. 4: God will stand on the Mount of Olives, looking over Jerusalem. This means he will watch over his people even in times of trouble (Mark 13:3 ). The Mount of Olives will split in two, making a wide valley. This shows that God will remove barriers between Jews and Gentiles, so everyone can come together in his church (Ephesians 2:14 ). Jesus was often on this mountain, and he left earth from there (Acts 1:12 ).

v. 5: The people will flee to the valley created by the split mountain for safety, just like people once fled from an earthquake in Uzziah’s time (Amos 1:1 ). This valley is a picture of the gospel church, where both Jews and Gentiles can find refuge. God opens a way for everyone who seeks him to come in and be safe (Isaiah 35:8; Ephesians 2:18 ).Then, the Lord

v. 6-7: God’s ways with his people are sometimes confusing or mixed. In that day the light will not be clear nor dark; at evening time it shall be light (Zechariah 14:6-7 ). This means life for God’s people is not always easy or always hard, but a mix of both. But God knows all things and controls what happens. Even when things seem dark or hopeless, God will bring light and joy in the end. Deliverance may come when it is least expected, and God’s people can trust him to turn trouble into blessing (Psalm 112:4 ).

Blessings Promised to the Church; Judgments ThreatenedThis section describes the great blessings that God promises to his people, especially in the time of the Messiah. It also warns of judgments against those who fight against God’s church. The blessings are for Jerusalem and for the whole world, while the judgments are for the enemies of God’s people.v. 8: Jerusalem will become a source of living water for the world. Living waters shall go out from Jerusalem . This means that the message of Jesus and the Holy Spirit started in Jerusalem and spread everywhere (Luke 24:47 ). The gospel will reach all nations, both east and west, and will never stop flowing, in summer and winter. God’s word and Spirit bring life and joy wherever they go (Isaiah 2:3; Psalm 72:8 ).

v. 9: God’s kingdom will be everywhere and united. The Lord

v. 10-11: The land of Judea and Jerusalem will be renewed and protected. The land will become like a plain, and Jerusalem will be raised up and filled with people. Jerusalem shall be inhabited in her place (Zechariah 14:10 ). The city will be safe, and there will be no more destruction or curse. God’s people will live in peace, and the church will be strong and secure. Jesus promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church (Zechariah 12:6 ).

v. 12: God will punish those who fight against Jerusalem. This shall be the plague wherewith the Lord

v. 13: The enemies will turn against each other. A great tumult from the Lord

v. 14: God’s people will share in the victory. Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem . The wealth of the nations that attacked Jerusalem will be gathered and divided among God’s people. This is like when God’s people took the spoils after their enemies were defeated (Isaiah 33:23 ).

v. 15: Even the animals of the enemies will suffer. All the beasts that shall be in the tents of these wicked men shall perish . This is like the plagues in Egypt, where animals also died because of people’s sins. God’s judgment will be complete, and even creation suffers because of human sin (Romans 8:21-22 ).

Evangelical Predictions; Threatenings and Promises; Encouraging ProspectsThis section describes the blessings of worship in the gospel age, the consequences of neglecting worship, and the holiness that will characterize God’s people. It shows how God’s grace transforms enemies into worshippers, how he disciplines those who neglect him, and how holiness will spread into every part of life.v. 16: Those who survive God’s judgment will turn to worship him. Everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up to worship the King, the Lord

v. 17: Those who neglect worship will face consequences. Upon them there shall be no rain . This could mean a lack of spiritual blessings, as God withholds his grace from those who ignore him. It could also mean literal drought, as God denies the rain that makes the land fruitful. Just as those who neglected to build the temple were punished with drought (Haggai 2:17 ), so those who neglect worship will lose God’s blessings. If we are unfruitful toward God, it is just for him to make the earth unfruitful for us.

v. 18-19: Even those who seem independent of rain, like Egypt, will not escape God’s judgment. If the family of Egypt go not up to worship, they will face plagues instead of drought (Zechariah 14:18-19 ). God can bring famine or other punishments, even if the Nile River continues to flow. This shows that no one can live without God, no matter how self-sufficient they seem. Neglecting worship is a sin, and sin always brings punishment. Those who forsake God’s worship forfeit the privilege of his blessings.

v. 20-21: Holiness will spread into every part of life. In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to the Lord

There will be no more unholiness in God’s house. There shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord