Daily Thoughts from Zechariah: Dwelling in Our Midst (Zechariah 2)

And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the LORD. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the LORD. Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”

Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. (Zechariah 2, ESV)

With most of the captives of Israel still in foreign lands remembering the days when Yahweh’s glory dwelt in Jerusalem and her walls seemed impregnable, the idea of returning to that city seems impossible. But Yahweh, Israel’s glory, is saying flee the north, come home, escape to Zion. She is going to become so huge one day that no walls can contain her and yet Yahweh will be the glory in her midst and a wall of fire around her to protect her.

As evidence that it is time to come back, the very nations that captured them will provide the funds to return, much like when the people left Egypt and the Egyptians gave them wealth, were “plundered” by Israel. Israel is the “apple” or pupil of God’s eye. Israel is extremely valuable to Yahweh. He wants to live among His people. He will bring many nations to Jerusalem to join themselves in covenant relationship to Yahweh “in that day.” Zechariah’s message seems to be looking forward to an even larger fulfillment when all the nations will either repent or be judged by God as He comes to set up His kingdom on earth with Jerusalem as its capital. The Gentiles or nations will become His people, like Israel is, though Judah will be His special portion in the land.

Many Israelites heeded this call and returned, first under Zerubbabel and Joshua, then under Ezra and Nehemiah, and the Persians largely funded it. A wall was built (Nehemiah) and the nations have yet to flow into the city in submission to Yahweh, but that day is coming. In between then Jerusalem has again been destroyed by the Romans because of Israel’s rejection of her Messiah. But we will know that Yahweh of hosts sent Zecharaiah when we see the nations dwelling in peace before God in that holy city. The future belongs to a restored Israel and all who recognize her God.

Those who believe now are also the pupil of God’s eye, precious to Him, and He is dwelling in our midst. We constitute His temple now and forever, the place where He makes His glory known. One day the physical temple will be rebuilt, but we will never cease to be His living temple.  And as such we are bringing His presence to everyone we come in contact with.  We are representing Him daily.  We are the point of contact people have with the holy God.  How are people experiencing God through you?