Page:Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah (Baron, David).djvu/159



HE first five visions are indeed prophecies " of Hope and of Glory." They abound, as we have seen, in most glorious promises of restoration and enlarge ment, of temporal and spiritual prosperity and blessing promises which, in their full and exhaustive sense, are yet to be fulfilled, when " Jehovah shall arise and have mercy upon Zion," and yet again " choose Israel."

But before that longed-for day of blessing can at last come; before the beautiful symbolism of the fifth vision shall at last be realised, and Israel's restored candlestick shall once again, and in greater splendour and purity than ever before, shed abroad the light of Jehovah throughout the millennial earth both the land and people must be cleansed from everything that defileth, or worketh abomina tion, or maketh a lie. This is the import of the dark episode unfolded in the two visions in the 5th chapter, which we are now to consider.

The God of Israel has two methods in dealing with sin and removing iniquity, both of which are in perfect accord with the absolute holiness of His character. One of these methods the one He delights in is the method of grace. This is beautifully unfolded in the 3rd chapter, where we are shown how that, on the ground of His sovereign immutable " choice " (ver. 2), and because of the full atone ment and perfect righteousness accomplished by His Righteous Servant, " The Branch," the iniquity of that land shall be removed " in one day," and repentant Israel (upon whom the Spirit of grace and supplication shall in that day