1 And in that day seuen women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eate our owne bread, & weare our owne apparell: onely let vs be called by thy name, to take away our reproch.
2 In that day shall the Branch of the Lord be beautifull and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shalbe excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
3 And it shall come to passe, that hee that is left in Zion, and hee that remaineth in Ierusalem, shall be called Holy, euen euery one that is written among the liuing in Ierusalem,
4 When the Lord shall haue washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall haue purged the blood of Ierusalem from the middest thereof, by the spirit of iudgement, and by the spirit of burning.
5 And the Lord will create vpon euery dwelling place of mount Zion, and vpon her assemblies a cloude, and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for vpon all the glory shall be a defence.
6 And there shalbe a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a couert from storme and from raine.
The havoc occasioned by war. (1) The times of the Messiah. (2-6)1 This first verse belongs to the third chapter. When the troubles should come upon the land, as the unmarried state was deemed reproachful among the Jews, these women would act contrary to common usage, and seek husbands for themselves.
2-6 Not only the setting forth Christ's kingdom in the times of the apostles, but its enlargement by gathering the dispersed Jews into the church, is foretold. Christ is called the Branch of the Lord, being planted by his power, and flourishing to his praise. The gospel is the fruit of the Branch of the Lord; all the graces and comforts of the gospel spring from Christ. It is called the fruit of the earth, because it sprang up in this world, and was suited for the present state. It will be good evidence that we are distinguished from those merely called Israel, if we are brought to see all beauty in Christ, and holiness. As a type of this blessed day, Jerusalem should again flourish as a branch, and be blessed with the fruits of the earth. God will keep for himself a holy seed. When most of those that have a place and a name in Zion, and in Jerusalem, shall be cut off by their unbelief, some shall be left. Those only that are holy shall be left, when the Son of man shall gather out of his kingdom every thing which offends. By the judgment of God's providence, sinners were destroyed and consumed; but by the Spirit of grace they are reformed and converted. The Spirit herein acts as a Spirit of judgment, enlightening the mind, convincing the conscience; also as a Spirit of burning, quickening and strengthening the affections, and making men zealously affected in a good work. An ardent love to Christ and souls, and zeal against sin, will carry men on with resolution in endeavours to turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Every affliction serves believers as a furnace, to purify them from dross; and the convincing, enlightening, and powerful influences of the Holy Spirit, gradually root out their lusts, and render them holy as He is holy. God will protect his church, and all that belong to it. Gospel truths and ordinances are the glory of the church. Grace in the soul is the glory of it; and those that have it are kept by the power of God. But only those who are weary will seek rest; only those who are convinced that a storm is approaching, will look for shelter. Affected with a deep sense of the Divine displeasure, to which we are exposed by sin, let us at once have recourse to Jesus Christ, and thankfully accept the refuge he affords.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.