Zechariah 2

We now come to the third vision of Zechariah.

Jerusalem, inside the walls, around 1920

Sprawling city of Jerusalem today, walled city in foreground

·        The vision and the interpretation, v1-5.  Zechariah sees a surveyor with his measuring line, being sent to measure Jerusalem.  This was promised in the first vision (1:16).  From what we know of the LORD His concern is not just with physical measurements; He measures His people for holiness.  And yet in this vision that is the emphasis is clearly on the city itself.  According to the explaining angel what the surveyor finds is that Jerusalem is prospering; it is a huge city that has far outgrown its walls, a city like we find today in modern Israel.  Further He finds that the LORD is the glorious presence in her midst; and He is Jerusalem’s protection as a ring of fire around her.  The presence of the LORD indicates this is a description of Jerusalem in the Messianic time. 

·        The further explanation of the vision, v6-12.  The angel gives further clarity to the vision and its future meaning. 

o   In v6-7 there is a call to the people yet in Babylon to flee.  History tells us that in the fourth year of Darius Babylon was overrun by the Medes and Persians.  As the second vision made clear, God promised to send craftsmen to punish the horns He had used to chastise Israel.  The Babylonians became spoil for their servants the Persians (v9).  These are truly comforting words for the people as they work on the temple.

o   But in v10-12 the explanation goes far beyond the immediate time of the rebuilding of the temple.  The angel here speaks of a time when the LORD is dwelling in Jerusalem and when many nations shall be joined to the LORD, nations that have become My people.  This is the Messianic time.  Don’t miss the Old Testament evidence of a Godhead in this passage; the deity of the Messiah is clearly taught as well as His conversation with the LORD of hosts.  As the Father promised the Son in Psalm 2, the nations will in that day be His inheritance.  And note as well God’s faithfulness to Jerusalem which He will again choose.  Jerusalem has been part of the end-time scenario ever since the days of David when God chose Jerusalem over Shilo as the city where He would put His name (Psalm 78:67-68).

·        The vision ends with a warning, v13.  What a powerful statement about the LORD, that He is aroused from His holy habitation.  What has stirred up the LORD?  The answer is in v8: for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.  This is a strong connection with the Song of Moses where the same language is used (Deut. 32:10).  If you stop and think about it, the pupil is amazingly set in the body by the Creator, protected by strong bones, the eyebrow, eyelash, eyelid and the tear glands.  It is protected from heavy blows, dust, glare and impurities.  So Israel is protected by God.  He is aroused on behalf of His cherished nation; let all flesh be silent before Him.

These words comforted the people in Zechariah’s day, knowing that the LORD of hosts was truly for them.  We should understand the same thing as the people of the Lord today.  He is with us (Mt. 28:20), protecting us (Rom. 8:35-39) and providing for us (Phil. 4:19).  He never sleeps (2 Peter 2:4-9)!