Isa 7:4, Zec 3:2 | JFB | STEP | 4. Take heed, &c.-- that is, See that thou be quiet (not seeking Assyrian aid in a fit of panic). tails-- mere ends of firebrands, almost consumed themselves (about soon to fall before the Assyrians, ), therefore harmless. smoking-- as about to go out; not blazing. son of Remaliah-- Pekah, a usurper ( ). The Easterners express contempt by designating one, not by his own name, but by his father's, especially when the father is but little known ( , ).

‏ Isaiah 7:4

4. Take heed, &c.--that is, See that thou be quiet (not seeking Assyrian aid in a fit of panic).

tails--mere ends of firebrands, almost consumed themselves (about soon to fall before the Assyrians, Is 7:8), therefore harmless.

smoking--as about to go out; not blazing.

son of Remaliah--Pekah, a usurper (2Ki 15:25). The Easterners express contempt by designating one, not by his own name, but by his father's, especially when the father is but little known (1Sa 20:27, 31).

‏ Zechariah 3:2

2. the Lord--Jehovah, hereby identified with the "angel of the Lord (Jehovah)" (Zec 3:1).

rebuke thee--twice repeated to express the certainty of Satan's accusations and machinations against Jerusalem being frustrated. Instead of lengthened argument, Jehovah silences Satan by the one plea, namely, God's choice.

chosen Jerusalem--(Ro 9:16; 11:5). The conclusive answer. If the issue rested on Jerusalem's merit or demerit, condemnation must be the award; but Jehovah's "choice" (Joh 15:16) rebuts Satan's charge against Jerusalem (Zec 1:17; 2:12; Ro 8:33, 34, 37), represented by Joshua (compare in the great atonement, Le 16:6-20, &c.), not that she may continue in sin, but be freed from it (Zec 3:7).

brand plucked out of ... fire--(Am 4:11; 1Pe 4:18; Jude 23). Herein God implies that His acquittal of Jerusalem is not that He does not recognize her sin (Zec 3:3, 4, 9), but that having punished her people for it with a seventy years' captivity, He on the ground of His electing love has delivered her from the fiery ordeal; and when once He has begun a deliverance, as in this case, He will perfect it (Psa 89:30-35; Php 1:6).