There can be little doubt that the phrase ‘daughter of Zion’ refers to Jerusalem, as most commentators agree. The three pictures or metaphors which follow have a common, sad and solemn message. They depict the desolation, the loneliness, the abandonment of the once fair city, and this because of the rebellion, the corruption, and the provocation of the Lord by the people. Religiously and morally they had forsaken Him and the inevitable judgement would surely come.
The ‘cottage in a vineyard’ is a reference to the temporary booths or shelters which were erected for the keepers of the vineyards. The tent gave the keeper some protection while, as a watchman, he guarded the vines from birds and from thieves. When once the vintage was past and the clusters of fruit gathered in then the booth was abandoned. How sad indeed that Zion would similarly be left in desolation because of her sin.
The ‘lodge in the garden of cucumbers’ has a like message. The word ‘lodge’ again implies a temporary shelter and ‘cucumbers’ probably includes all fruit of a melon nature. DR GILL explains so eloquently and writes, ‘A lodge in a garden of cucumbers was built up for the gardener to watch in at night, that nobody came and stole away the cucumbers, and this was also a lonely place; but when the cucumbers were gathered, the gardener left his lodge entirely; and such a forsaken place would Jerusalem be at the time of its destruction’.
Like a besieged city, Zion would suffer great distress. None could, or would dare, enter into it from without. Neither could many escape from it so that again the picture is that of lonely desolation or isolation. Jerusalem had abandoned Jehovah and now Jehovah would abandon her.
Thankfully, however, the Lord always has a remnant people and it will be so in Zion. Had it not been so, had He not left even a small remnant, the end was unthinkable. They might have been as Sodom and Gomorrah, utterly ruined. But Jehovah of hosts will often spare the many for the sake of a faithful few.
