Zerubbabel the signet

And again – The second time, on the same day. See on verse 10. … I will shake the heavens – God by his Prophet now proceeds further to a gracious and spiritual promise and prophecy, which properly belongs to the kingdom of Christ. The sum is, that God will overcome all enemies, and remove all difficulties and obstructions, which Satan and all the world can possibly lay in his way; when he comes to restore his Church, and constitute Christ the head of it. … The Jews then at this time were to conceive more in their minds, than what they saw with their eyes; the time of their complete redemption was not yet come.

Speak my word – and in my name, saith the Lord. To Zerubbabel governor of Judah – see Haggai 1:1, 12. I will shake the heavens and the earth – see Haggai 2:6.

Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah – The former discourse or prophecy chiefly related to the people, for their encouragement in building; this is directed to the prince over them, to support him under all the changes and revolutions made in the world; that he should be regarded by the Lord in a very tender manner, and his government continued, as a type of Christ and his kingdom: saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; make great commotions, changes, and revolutions in the world, by wars, and otherwise: the Persian kingdom being subdued by the Grecian; the Grecian by the Romans; the Roman empire by the Goths and Vandals; and the antichristian states, both Papal and Mahometan, by the vials of God’s wrath poured out upon them, by means of Christian princes: such revolutions are often designed by the shaking of the heavens, especially by earthquakes in the book of the Revelation; see Revelation 6:14.

the throne of kingdoms – All power and height, contrary to Christ’s kingdom, which I have established forever, over all the world. Others thus, there shall be no let or hindrance when God will make this wonderful restitution of his Church, but he will rather overthrow, destroy, and bring down all crowns, kingdoms, nations, strengths, than that his Church shall remain in that low and base estate. by the sword of his brother – Hereby is signified the conflicts of the kingdoms of the world, stirred up one against another by God’s providence and judgment, Matt 24:7.

I will destroy the strength – this seems an explaining of the former, and a confirming it too. Though the Gentiles of many kingdoms united in all their strength, set to hinder this work, this shall succeed so contrary to their expectation, that not you, but they shall find destruction as the end thereof; which was verified in the successive ruin of the Persian, Grecian, and Syrian kingdoms, all which oppressed the church, and were destroyed for it. Every one by the sword of his brother – this passage foreshows that God will, by suffering civil wars to arise among these nations, ruin them by themselves, as in truth they did: now whilst those commotions and overthrows perplex and hurt the Jews, yet they were an occasion sometimes of some respite to them; their enemies were engaged on other designs, and could not mind mischief to the Jews.

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms – The Persian monarchy, which consisted of various kingdoms and nations, and was destroyed under Darius Codomannus by Alexander the great, who fought with him three pitched battles, and overcame him; but the thing was of the Lord, according to his purpose and will, and by his power and providence; and therefore the overthrow is ascribed to him. … everyone by the sword of his brother; by civil wars, which was remarkably true of the successors of Alexander, as appears from Josephus and Justin: this may be applied to all the kingdoms of this world, which will all be demolished, and be brought into subjection to Christ, and his kingdom shall be set up in the world, the son and antitype of Zerubbabel, of whom the following words are to be understood.

will I take thee O Zerubbabel – Plain it is that this was not performed in the person of Zerubbabel; or but very poorly, as in the type. In his person is Christ designed, as under many like figures in the Old Testament. as a signet – Account thee precious. The meaning is, I will appoint Christ, who shall come forth of thee according to the flesh, Luke 3:27, and whose figure thou art, Zech 4:12, to be my sacred King, whom I will inviolably keep by me, and love, which is the signification of this proverbial term, of making and keeping as a signet, Song 8:6; Jer 22:24. … And surely his coming brought, and wrought a wonderful change; made, as it were, a new creation; he reconciles all things in heaven and earth, Col 1:20. … for I have chosen thee – The free election, and sole goodness of God, in his free covenant with mankind, and Abraham, and David, establishing in him as the type, this eternal and spiritual kingdom; and as the ground and means of all, the choosing of Christ, is the reason of all this. Of this choosing of Christ, see 1 Chronicles 23:6; Isa 43:10; Matt 12:18; Luke 23:35; 1 Pet 2:4, 6.

In that day, saith the Lord of hosts – When all these kingdoms, and their thrones and strength, are destroyed; which shows that what follows cannot be understood literally of Zerubbabel, who lived not to see these things done: … and will make thee as a signet; preserve, protect and defend, love, value, and esteem, and advance to great honour and dignity, power and authority: the signet or seal on a man’s right hand, being what he always wears, is ever in sight, and he is careful of; as well as is what he greatly esteems, and is dear unto him, and he highly values; … for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts; to be the Redeemer and Saviour of his people; to be their King and Governor, and the Judge of the world. … Christ is peculiarly God’s elect, and in whom all his people are chosen; he is the chosen of God, and precious, Ps 89:19.