Zechariah 1:16

“Therefore thus saith the Lord, I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies, etc.] Having returned the people of the Jews from their captivity to Jerusalem, in which he had shown abundant mercy to them: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts; meaning the temple where he dwelt and was worshipped; the foundation of which had been laid two months before this prophecy was delivered, (<370218>Haggai 2:18) and which should be raised up and finished, notwithstanding all the opposition of the enemy, and the discouragements of the people: and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem; to measure with it, and build by it, the wall, streets, and houses of Jerusalem. The meaning is, that…”

“I am returned--whereas in anger I had before withdrawn from her (Hos 5:15). with mercies--not merely of one kind, nor once only, but repeated mercies. my house shall be built--which at this time (the second year of Darius, Zac 1:1) had only its foundations laid (Hag 2:18). It was not completed till the sixth year of Darius (Ezr 6:15). line-- (Job 38:5). The measuring-line for building, not hastily, but with measured regularity. Not only the temple, but Jerusalem also was to be rebuilt (Neh 2:3, &c.; compare Zac 2:1-2). Also, as to the future temple and city, Eze 41:3; Eze. 42:1-44:31; Eze 45:6.”

“Therefore - This being so, since God was so jealous for His people, so displeased with their persecutors, “thus saith the Lord,” Dionysius, “I who “in wrath remember mercy, am returned” Habakkuk 3:2, not by change of place, who am uncircumscribed, not existing in place, to the people of Judah and Jerusalem in mercies, manifoldly benefiting them by various effects of My love.” The single benefits, the rebuilding of His House, and so the restoration of His public worship, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, are but instances of that all-containing mercy, His restored presence in tender mercies. “I am returned,” God says, although the effects of His return were yet to come. A line shall be…”

“A line - The builder's measuring line shall be stretched out, to mark out the walls, gates, streets, and houses in Jerusalem. Zechariah 1:17”

“I am: Zac 2:10, Zac 2:11, Zac 8:3; Isa 12:1, Isa 54:8-10; Jer 31:22-25, Jer 33:10-12; Eze 37:24-28, Eze 39:25-29, Eze 48:35 my house: Zac 4:9; Ezr 6:14, Ezr 6:15; Isa 44:26-28; Hag 1:14 and: Zac 2:1, Zac 2:2; Job 38:5; Isa 34:11; Jer 31:39, Jer 31:40; Eze 40:3, Eze 47:3 Zechariah 1:17”