“And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,”
Another. The angel who measured spoke to Michael. (Calmet)
“And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:”
Walls. This must be understood of the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church of Christ. (Challoner) — According to St. Augustine (in Psalm lxxi.) when the literal sense cannot be verified, we must have recourse to the thing prefigured; and thus what is here written, must be explained of the Church rather than of Jerusalem. (Worthington) — A little before the fall of the latter, it was become so populous that the houses which had been built without the walls were enclosed. (Josephus, Jewish Wars vi. 6.) — This multitude was a sort of pledge or figure of the crowds which should embrace the gospel.
“For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.”
Fire, to enlighten and protect it. Arms will be unnecessary, Micheas v. 10., and Isaias ii. 4. The Church shall enjoy peace.
“Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.”
North. Many Jews had not yet returned, Esther, &c. — Winds, Ezechiel v. 2, 12. (Calmet) — Gentiles, and ye children of Sion, flee from Babylon and from sin into the true Church. (Worthington)
“For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”
Glory. After restoring you to your own country, and rebuilding your cities, I will punish your enemies. (Calmet) — After they have enjoyed prosperity, they shall feel the reverse. Hebrew Cabod, (Haydock) means also “a burden.”
“For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.”
Prey. Two years after this (Calmet) the Assyrians revolted, and seized Babylon. (Justin i.) — They slew the useless women: but Zopyrus betrayed the place to Darius, who hung 3,000 of the principal inhabitants, and demolished the walls. (Herodotus iii. 150.; Usher, year of the world 3489.)
“And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.”
Nations. We know of none who embraced the Jewish law. But both the old and the new world submits to Christ. — Dwell. St. Michael represents the Messias. The latter preached and wrought miracles among the Jews, which rendered them inexcusable, John xv. 24. (Calmet)
“Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. his: Heb. the habitation of his holiness”
Silent: obey with reverence. (Haydock) See Habacuc ii. 20., and 1 Machabees i. 3. (Calmet) — Habitation, becoming man. (Menochius)