Zechariah 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, you prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double to you; In these words are to be noticed — I. THE PERSONS. "Prisoners of hope." Though all men are prisoners by nature, yet all men are not "prisoners of hope." Every natural man is a prisoner to sin and Satan, and shut up in unbelief; sin has dominion over him, he lies in the arms of the wicked one. The persons spoken to in the words of the text are the same persons who are mentioned in the verse which precedes the text. The people addressed are a people who were sent forth out of the pit wherein is no water, by which a state of nature doubtless is intended; which is a filthy, dark, wretched, and uncomfortable state, wherein no refreshment can be had. These are called in the text "prisoners of hope," which they are, not only because they possess hope as a grace of the Spirit in their hearts, but also because it causes its professors to hope for the enjoyment of those things which are promised to the people of God in the Word of God, and which they are not yet put in the possession of. Though these people are sent forth out of the pit of nature, yet they may be called "prisoners," because their consciences are not yet acquitted of guilt. They are prisoners, but prisoners of hope. II. THE EXHORTATION. "Turn ye to the stronghold." Christ undoubtedly is intended. It is by turning to Christ, in a way of believing, that guilty consciences can be liberated, and joy and peace experienced. Believing in Christ is also called coming to Him, looking to Him, turning to Him. Those who do this find themselves screened from the curse of the law; the charge of sin; the punishment of it; from Satan's rage; and from every other enemy. III. THE DECLARATION, "I will render double unto thee." Either by this the abundance of grace and mercy in Christ is intended; or by the term "double" is meant the pardon of their sins, and acceptance of their persons; or it is a promise of God's removing guilt from their consciences, and of His restoring peace, which also is a double blessing. The whole of this passage is a display of God's love and care, which He exercises towards all those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ, in virtue of which it is that God sends them forth out of the pit of nature, and then directs them as prisoners of hope to burn to the stronghold (Christ), and promises to render unto them the double blessings above mentioned. (S. Barnard.) Parallel Verses KJV: Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; |
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