Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 2

Verses 1-3

ZECHARIAH - CHAPTER 2

THE FOURTH VISION.

Verses 1-3:

The Man With The Measuring Line, Vision 4

Verse 1 asserts that Zechariah lifted up his eyes a fourth time and beheld a man holding a measuring line in his hand. The "man" is the same Messiah angel that talked with him, Zechariah 1:8-11; And as in v. 3 that follows, The "measuring line" or reed, as used Ezekiel 40:3; Ezekiel 40:5; Ezekiel 47:4, is a symbol of preparation for rebuilding the temple and the city in the kingdom age. This is also the meaning of the context, v. 4-13. For it has not yet been, but will yet surely be, literally fulfilled. See also Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:15. This building-man is to be Jesus, Hebrews 10:36-37; Luke 1:32-33.

Verse 2 describes Zechariah’s inquiry of the man concerning his destination and what he meant to do with the measuring line that was in his hand. The man (Jehovah or Jesus) replied that He was going to measure the breadth and length of Jerusalem, to stretch a plan for rebuilding her four square, Jeremiah 31:39; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:15-16.

Verse 3 relates that the angel that talked with Zechariah went out and away from Zechariah and another angel went out or came forth to meet the measuring angel or messenger to give him an extended explanation of what was ahead for this people of God, as a nation, called Judah or Israel. Angels do bear messages, give information, understanding, and protection around and over God’s people and property, even today. Hebrews 1:14; Psalms 34:7, Acts 27:23.

Verses 4-13

Jerusalem In The Millennial Age

Verses 4-13:

Jerusalem, When The King Reigns There

Verse 4 describes an angel that ran (made haste) to come to Zechariah, here called a young man, between 20 and 30 years of age, in his prophetic ministry, Numbers 11:27; Joshua 1:1. Young men with youthful energy are fit representatives of energy and haste which the Lord’s service requires, Acts 5:6; Acts 5:10; But spiritual strength shall "not faint" but "be renewed" in waiting upon or trusting in the Lord, Isaiah 40:30-31; Proverbs 3:3-5.

Zechariah is told to prophesy that Jerusalem shall one day be inhabited, as towns without walls, to protect themselves or their cattle. She shall then be the "land of unwalled villages," as described Ezekiel 36:10; Ezekiel 38:11. She will then be no more confined in or hidden behind narrow walls or fixed limits, Isaiah 49:19-20.

Verse 5 asserts that the Lord Himself pledges to be a wall of fire round about their wall of "Salvation," deliverance, or security, Psalms 35:3; Isaiah 4:5; Isaiah 26:1; Isaiah 33:21. The Lord witnesses that He will Himself be the glory in the midst of them, Isaiah 60:19; Haggai 2:7-9; Luke 2:32; Revelation 21:23.

Verse 6 opens with two exclamations, "Ho! Ho!" or come here to me, for it is I who scattered you forth, decreed your dispersion, and I it is to whom you belong; I have a power to bring you back and protect you from all parts, quarters, or winds of the earth, just as I decreed your dispersion, Luke 21:24; De 28;64.

Verse 7 calls upon Zion, the people of Judah and Israel, to liberate themselves from residing among the daughters of Babylon, from living among the Babylonian people and their heathen idolatry, Psalms 9:14; Psalms 137:8; Isaiah 1:8. God appeals to the fallen to rise and choose His deliverance or liberation from sin and hell, but He forces His will and ways on no one in this life, Isaiah 55:1-3; Isaiah 55:6-7; Matthew 11:28-30; Revelation 22:17; Psalms 138.

Verse 8 begins with Zachariah’s repeated claim to Divine direction in "Thus saith the Lord of hosts," as he was moved by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:21. After the restored glory to Israel, v. 5, God sends His judgment on the nations that spoiled His people. Jesus is, and will at the same time be Savior and deliverer of His people and judge and punisher of His enemies, 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10. Zechariah then asserts that those who repeatedly touched the "apple of His eye," the pupil or most sensitive part of the organ of vision, Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalms 17:8; And they who destroy or tear up the temple of God, or church of this age, shall themselves be torn up, 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7.

Verse 9 warns that the Lord will shake His hand upon His enemies to prostrate them, as cowed foes before His judgment, as expressed Ruth 1:13; Job 20:13; Job 20:21; Isaiah 11:15; Isaiah 19:16; Acts 13:11. And you all are to know that these Gentile foes shall in that day become a spoil to or slaves to the people of God, whom they once took as their slaves, Isaiah 14:2. Jesus, upon His return, may be considered as anti-typical of the work and prophesy of Zechariah and all the true restoration prophets, Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 61:1; John 10:36.

Verse 10 calls upon the daughter of Zion, Jerusalem, and all her people, to sing and rejoice at the assurance of the coming of the Lord to dwell in their midst. This is to be ultimately fulfilled at the second advent or coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, in power and great glory, though it had its beginning at His first coming, Jeremiah 1:14; Psalms 40:7; John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; See also Isaiah 40:10; Ezekiel 37:27; Zephaniah 3:14; See further Leviticus 26:12; 2 Corinthians 6:16.

Verse 11 asserts that many nations will be joined to the Lord in that day of His coming reign, from Zion, over all the earth, Isaiah 2:2-3; Isaiah 49:22. From many nations believers will become the people of the Lord, yielded to Him as master in both worship and service for the first time Zechariah 8:20-21; Isaiah 14:1. These seem to be the redeemed Gentiles, who never became members of the Lord’s church in this age, and redeemed Gentiles who never became a part of the "house that Moses built," or Jewish order of Divine worship and service, in Old Testament times, 1 Corinthians 10:32; Ephesians 3:21; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. They will then recognize the Lord (Master) who has been sent and dwells among them, Exodus 12:49; Ezekiel 33:33. They will then confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of the Father, Psalms 102:15-16; Philippians 2:10-11.

Verse 12 assures that Judah shall inherit, with the Lord as King, her portion in the land, Deuteronomy 32:9. Their covenant relation with Him was never lost, though He withdrew a measure of His mercy from them for a time, because of their sins. His covenant gift and calling pledges are without repentance, irrevocable with Israel and His church, Romans 11:28-29; Deuteronomy 4:29; Deuteronomy 9:29; Deuteronomy 32:9.

Verse 13 calls upon "all flesh," Jew and Gentile, to be silent, in awe and reverence, before the Lord, His majesty of the Universe, and eternity, Habakkuk 2:20; Zephaniah 1:7. For He has risen- up out of and from His habitation, Deuteronomy 26:15. And who would remain seated at the approach of his King, President, or Prime Minister? From Heaven’s throne He has come down to judge and avenge His people, as they shall be silent before Him, Isaiah 26:21; Psalms 1:1-2; Habakkuk 1:3; Romans 14:11-12; Deuteronomy 26:15; 2 Chronicles 30:27.