Zechariah 2:1-13

     Verses 1-5 contain the prophet’s third vision of God’s work in Jerusalem, which will culminate in blessing, protection, and future glory. Verses 6-13 are an oracle of encouragement from the Lord about the future coming of Messiah who will put down Gentile oppression and dwell among His people. The small remnant in Jerusalem at the time of Zechariah’s message were helping to restore and rebuild the temple and city, and apparently there were angels involved as well. The vision opens with the description of a man with a measuring line which signified construction efforts (Zec 2:1-2). Today we might say he had surveyor’s equipment. Then Zechariah witnessed an exchange between the angel who was guiding his understanding of the visions and another angel who was sent to inform him of God’s future plans to bless Jerusalem, to protect it supernaturally, and to be the glory in its midst (Zec 2:3-5). After the vision there was an oracle for scattered Israelites living in captivity to return to Judah (Zec 2:6-7), for Messiah would come against those nations that harmed Israel, who was regarded as “the apple of His eye” (Zec 2:8b). Some translators take the “me” of verse eight to refer to Zechariah (NASB), while others see it as a reference to Messiah (CSB). It seems Messiah is in view because of what He accomplishes. Dr. Thomas Constable states:

• "The person whom the Lord would send as His representative (“Me”) could not be Zechariah, in view of what the following verses say He would do. He must be Messiah, the only one with sufficient power and authority to fulfill what God predicted here. He would simply wave His hand over these nations in a menacing gesture and they would become plunder for the Israelites whom they had enslaved (cf. Esth. 7:10; Isa. 11:15; 14:2; 19:16; Gal. 6:7–8). Then God’s people would know that Yahweh of armies had sent this One (cf. Isa. 61:3; John 17:4). This would be the sovereign Lord’s doing, so the Jews should rejoice, return to the land, and prepare."[1]

     Part of the reason for the Israelites to flee Babylon was that the Lord intended to destroy it, with the result “that they will be plunder for their slaves” (Zec 2:9). That is, the slaves who were abused under Babylonian tyranny would plunder the city that had plundered their lives. Those who were returning to Judah would be fleeing to a place of refuge. The revelation Zechariah then receives speaks of a future time when Israelites would “Sing for joy and be glad” (Zec 2:10a) as God declares, “behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst” (Zec 2:10b). This refers to the future time when Jesus will establish His millennial kingdom and rule on the throne of David in Jerusalem. At that time, “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” (Zec 2:12). The final comment is to all the world, saying, “Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for He is aroused from His holy habitation” (Zec 2:13). God’s revelation to Zechariah would have encouraged the remnant of his generation by informing them that God was involved in their activities, which activities would last well into the future, to the time when God will send Messiah to establish His kingdom on earth. Likewise, we know God is with us when we do His will and that our work touches the lives of those in the present, and will have an impact on the future, even eternity.

 

[1] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Zec 2:8.