Zechariah 2: A Future of Glory and Divine Protection
I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
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:
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.
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.
Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
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.
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.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
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.
And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Zechariah 2 offers a powerful vision of Jerusalem's future, filled with divine protection, expansion, and the glorious presence of God. This chapter provides hope and encouragement, revealing a future where God's people dwell securely in His favor.
Measuring Jerusalem: A Promise of Expansion (Zechariah 2:1-2)
Zechariah's third vision opens with a man holding a measuring line, tasked with measuring Jerusalem to determine its dimensions (Zechariah 2:1-2). In ancient times, city walls defined a city’s size and provided security. The act of measuring suggests a defined area and a plan for the future. But this measurement takes on a new dimension in light of what follows. The walls of Jerusalem had been breached, a stark reminder of their vulnerability (see 2 Chronicles 36:19). This vision, however, looks beyond the physical walls to something far greater.
A City Without Walls: Divine Protection (Zechariah 2:3-5)
The vision takes an unexpected turn. Zechariah learns that Jerusalem will be inhabited as a city without walls (Zechariah 2:4). This isn't a sign of vulnerability, but rather a testament to the city's future population explosion and, more importantly, God's divine protection. The city will be so full of people and livestock that walls will become obsolete. The true defense of Jerusalem will not be brick and mortar, but the very presence of God.
God Himself will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem, and the glory within it (Zechariah 2:5). This imagery evokes the pillar of fire that protected the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt (see Exodus 14:24). Just as God shielded them from the Egyptian army, He will be an impenetrable barrier for Jerusalem. No earthly superpower can stand against the God of creation. Even as Jerusalem swells with inhabitants, they will dwell in perfect safety, shielded by the Lord's fiery presence.
A Call to Return: Flee Babylon (Zechariah 2:6-9)
The Lord issues a call to the Jews still living in Babylon: Flee from the land of the north... Escape, you who are living with Daughter Babylon (Zechariah 2:6-7). This is an urgent invitation to return to Jerusalem and participate in the city's glorious future. God's promise of restoration is accompanied by a warning to those who plundered Judah. The Lord declares, I am raising my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own servants (Zechariah 2:9). God welcomes His people home while promising to execute vengeance on their oppressors.
The Lord's Dwelling: A Time of Rejoicing (Zechariah 2:10-13)
The chapter culminates in a joyous proclamation: Daughter Zion, shout for joy and be glad, for I am coming to dwell among you (Zechariah 2:10). This speaks of the Messiah's coming and His dwelling in Jerusalem during His millennial kingdom. The city will be glorified by His presence.
The scope of God's plan extends beyond Israel. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day and become his people (Zechariah 2:11). Gentiles will unite with believing Jews to worship the Messiah. Israel will then fulfill its destiny as the Holy Land (Zechariah 2:12). Ultimately, all humanity will submit to the Messiah's authority when He returns to earth to rule His kingdom (Zechariah 2:13).
Zechariah 2 offers a message of hope and comfort. It assures us that even in times of destruction and despair, God has a glorious future planned for His people. He promises divine protection, expansion, and His very presence among them. This vision encourages us to trust in God's promises and to look forward to the day when His kingdom will be fully established on earth. This chapter is a powerful reminder that God's plan for His people is one of ultimate victory and everlasting glory.
I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
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:
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.
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.
Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
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.
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.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
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.
And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
Zechariah 2 offers a powerful vision of Jerusalem's future, filled with divine protection, expansion, and the glorious presence of God. This chapter provides hope and encouragement, revealing a future where God's people dwell securely in His favor.
Measuring Jerusalem: A Promise of Expansion (Zechariah 2:1-2)
Zechariah's third vision opens with a man holding a measuring line, tasked with measuring Jerusalem to determine its dimensions (Zechariah 2:1-2). In ancient times, city walls defined a city’s size and provided security. The act of measuring suggests a defined area and a plan for the future. But this measurement takes on a new dimension in light of what follows. The walls of Jerusalem had been breached, a stark reminder of their vulnerability (see 2 Chronicles 36:19). This vision, however, looks beyond the physical walls to something far greater.
A City Without Walls: Divine Protection (Zechariah 2:3-5)
The vision takes an unexpected turn. Zechariah learns that Jerusalem will be inhabited as a city without walls (Zechariah 2:4). This isn't a sign of vulnerability, but rather a testament to the city's future population explosion and, more importantly, God's divine protection. The city will be so full of people and livestock that walls will become obsolete. The true defense of Jerusalem will not be brick and mortar, but the very presence of God.
God Himself will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem, and the glory within it (Zechariah 2:5). This imagery evokes the pillar of fire that protected the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt (see Exodus 14:24). Just as God shielded them from the Egyptian army, He will be an impenetrable barrier for Jerusalem. No earthly superpower can stand against the God of creation. Even as Jerusalem swells with inhabitants, they will dwell in perfect safety, shielded by the Lord's fiery presence.
A Call to Return: Flee Babylon (Zechariah 2:6-9)
The Lord issues a call to the Jews still living in Babylon: Flee from the land of the north... Escape, you who are living with Daughter Babylon (Zechariah 2:6-7). This is an urgent invitation to return to Jerusalem and participate in the city's glorious future. God's promise of restoration is accompanied by a warning to those who plundered Judah. The Lord declares, I am raising my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own servants (Zechariah 2:9). God welcomes His people home while promising to execute vengeance on their oppressors.
The Lord's Dwelling: A Time of Rejoicing (Zechariah 2:10-13)
The chapter culminates in a joyous proclamation: Daughter Zion, shout for joy and be glad, for I am coming to dwell among you (Zechariah 2:10). This speaks of the Messiah's coming and His dwelling in Jerusalem during His millennial kingdom. The city will be glorified by His presence.
The scope of God's plan extends beyond Israel. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day and become his people (Zechariah 2:11). Gentiles will unite with believing Jews to worship the Messiah. Israel will then fulfill its destiny as the Holy Land (Zechariah 2:12). Ultimately, all humanity will submit to the Messiah's authority when He returns to earth to rule His kingdom (Zechariah 2:13).
Zechariah 2 offers a message of hope and comfort. It assures us that even in times of destruction and despair, God has a glorious future planned for His people. He promises divine protection, expansion, and His very presence among them. This vision encourages us to trust in God's promises and to look forward to the day when His kingdom will be fully established on earth. This chapter is a powerful reminder that God's plan for His people is one of ultimate victory and everlasting glory.