Deliverance must be the work of righteousness, not of
guilty, the most undeserving and unloveable of all. Thus our text starts with a declaration of the great love of God,--Messiah's love to Israel,-- "Yea, He loved the people." "God is love," runs through this whole passage; and "where sin abounded grace did much more abound."
To this passage the apostle seems to refer in Hebrews 13:20, as to the bringing up Christ from the dead by the blood of the everlasting covenant. The prophet's words were fulfilled in Christ's resurrection, as Hosea's (11:1) were in his return from Egypt. (See also Psalm 18 and 40)
The words of Zechariah shall yet be fulfilled in Israel. The day of deliverance for the beloved nation is surely coming. She shall know the power of the covenant-blood to protect, to deliver, to save, to bless. It is not simply "blood" expiating sin in general, but "covenant-blood," linking that expiation specially to Israel, and Israel to it. It is passoverblood, bringing out of Egypt. Passing over this, however, let us take up the words in their widest sense. Let us see what the covenant-blood can do, not for Israel only, but for us.
The blood finds us "prisoners," captives, "lawful captives," exiles. It finds us righteously condemned, sold to our enemies, under wrath. Let us see what it does for us.
1. It removes the necessity for imprisonment. Such a necessity did exist. Law must take its course. Its claims must be satisfied. No leaving the prison till the uttermost farthing has been paid. The blood has made the satisfaction. It has met the claim. It has provided for the payment of the penalty. The necessity for the imprisonment no longer exists. The law consents.
2. It makes it right for God to deliver. Deliverance must be the work of righteousness, not of Almightiness alone. It was righteousness that sent the sinner to prison, and barred the door against all exit. It is righteousness that must bring him forth; and this righteousness is secured by the blood of the