CHAPTER I
Introductory
I AM commencing a somewhat difficult task, in which I am much cast upon God for the help and guidance of His Spirit the source of light and truth for it is my desire and prayer that these " notes," though inadequate and unworthy of so great a theme, may yet prove in His hand not only helpful to a right understanding of this most precious part of Holy Scripture, but be made spiritually profitable, and a blessing, especially to " the poor of the flock" (xi. 1 1), who still believe that prophecy came not in olden times by the will of man, but that " holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
As I am writing here for Christians, and as these expositions are intended for average intelligent English readers, I shall avoid elaborate introductions, and as much as possible also minute critical points.[1]
There are some reasons why this portion of Old Testa ment Scripture should especially be precious to Christians. I will mention only two. First because of the clear and striking manner in which it testifies of our Lord Jesus. Luther calls Zechariah Ausbund der Propheten the quin tessence of Old Testament prophecy and this is especially true in reference to Messianic prophecy. Indeed it seems to be the special aim and mission of Zechariah to condense and concentrate in small compass, and in his own peculiar terse style, almost all that has been revealed to the " former
- ↑ An examination of critical points and the theories of " modern " critics against the authenticity of the last chapters will be found in the Introduction to Part II.
