Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 2

Verses 1-13

Zec 2:1-13

Zechariah’s Third Divine Vision (Zechariah 2:1-13)

“And I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof” (Zechariah 2:1-2).

Zechariah has seen a vision of angelic horsemen who have seen the nations at ease to Jehovah’s displeasure. The Lord promises to have his temple rebuilt. The second vision Zechariah saw involved horns of power that scattered Israel and Judah and smiths that scatter the horns. Truly Jehovah would “shake the nations” (cf. Haggai 2:7). Zechariah now sees a man on his way to measure out the dimensions of Jerusalem with a measuring device (measuring line). Why measure out Jerusalem?

“And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle therein. For I, saith Jehovah, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her” (Zechariah 2:3-5).

It seems that Zechariah has seen a picture of the current mind set of the people of Jerusalem as opposed to what God’s eternal purpose is. Judah, the young man, would take a measurement of the physical city for its future expansion. The angel of the Lord explains that Jerusalem will at a future date be an ever expanding city with Jehovah serving as a wall of fire round about her. The interpretation of the vision is clearly spiritual. God’s spiritual Jerusalem, or church of Jesus Christ (i.e., His kingdom) would ever expand in that both Jew and Gentile (the all nations of Genesis 12:3) would enter it (see study # 3; God’s Purpose for the Church is Growth through personal Evangelism).

“Ho, ho, flee from the land of the north, saith Jehovah; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, saith Jehovah. Ho Zion, escape, thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith Jehovah of hosts: After glory hath he sent me unto the nations which plundered you; for he that touches you touches the apple of his eye” (Zechariah 2:6-8).

Though Babylon was located to the east of Jerusalem they are always referred to as those of the north (cf. Jeremiah 50:3). The remaining captives are encouraged to get out of their settled state and come to Jerusalem where Jehovah would be in His temple. Babylon would be destroyed by another nation that God would raise up. Now is the time to get out! God’s love for his people is depicted in the term, “apple of his eye.”

“For, behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall be a spoil to those that served them; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith Jehovah. And many nations shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto thee” (Zechariah 2:9-11).

With the ease of shaking His hands over a nation He shall take down Babylon (the ancient foe of Judah). Said events will be cause for singing and rejoicing. Furthermore Jehovah would dwell in the midst of the people during this day. As Judah experiences great success at the hands of Jehovah they will cause others nations to desire to join their ranks. It seems that these last few verses appertain to spiritual Zion under the kingship of Jesus.

“And Jehovah shall inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and shall yet choose Jerusalem. Be silent, all flesh, before Jehovah; for he is waked up out of his holy habitation” (Zechariah 2:12-13).

This new spiritual Zion (kingdom of God / church) would be God’s portion (cf. Isaiah 2:2 ff). The nations; i.e., “all flesh” are called upon to be “silent” in respect to their demanded reverence and fear of Jehovah God’s sovereign authority over all creation (cf. Habakkuk 2:20) (see study # 4; Divine Authority). Zechariah sees the nations at ease (Zechariah 1:11) and such has displeased Jehovah (Zechariah 1:15) and He will thereby now shake them up (Haggai 2:7) with the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom. Some would accept the message and some will not. One thing they will certainly be; however, is shaken by the presence of the. There will obviously be a physical shaking (God takes down the rebellious nations) and a spiritual shaking through the preaching of the gospel.