Zechariah 2:1-13
Q.1. How will Jerusalem survive without protective walls? How special are God’s people? How was God encouraging Judah to return from Babylon? – (Zech.2:1-8)
In a vision, Zechariah saw an angel measuring the city of Jerusalem (Zech.2:1-3). Amazingly, it had no protective walls, yet had a large population with livestock (Zech.2:4). The explanation – For I,’ declares the Lord, `will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ (Zech.2:5). The people were told to take courage and return to Zion, even as they had been scattered (Zech.2:6-7). They were very special to God, notwithstanding their judgment because – he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye (Zech.2:8). It does not pay to touch such a sensitive part of God.
Q.2. What is the future of Judah? Who will join them? Where will God’s people be located? Where will the Lord dwell? – (Zech.2:9-13)
The vision is also a foreshadowing of a future day, after Jesus returns in His glory – For thus says the Lord of hosts, after glory … (Zech.2:8). What is then described has clearly never happened – 10 Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the Lord. 11 “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you
(Zech.2:10-11). Though Judah did return during the events describes in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, this actual presence of the Lord is yet future (Zech.2:12 c.f. Zech.2:10-11). God was about to act, and history shows just how amazingly true the prophesized return after 70 years in exile proved to be (Zech.2:13 c.f. Ezra 1:1-4).