INTRODUCTION:

            The LORD chose Israel to be His special possession; this choice was made purely out of His sovereign love.  As the nation that was graciously chosen by God, Israel was given the task to shine as a light to the world.  The LORD called His people to do this in several ways.  First, they were to declare the existence and excellencies of the true God.  Second, God chose Israel to be the nation through which He would reveal the Messiah.  God determined that the Messiah would come through Israel, and that Israel would point the world to the Messiah.  Third, God chose Israel to represent Him as a kingdom of priests.  A priest is one who mediates between God and man, and who intercedes for sinners.  The LORD chose Israel to be the mediator—providing a sacrificial system and priestly ordinances by which sinners could approach God in worship.  Those sacrifices and ordinances all pointed to the perfect Lamb of God and the Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. Fourth, God chose Israel to be the nation that would preserve and transmit Scripture.  The nation was entrusted with divine truth revealed through the prophets.  In response, they were to esteem, obey, guard and preserve the Word of God.  They were also to proclaim it to their children and to the world.  Fifth, God chose Israel to be the nation that would demonstrate God’s faithfulness.  Through His irrevocable loyalty to His people, the LORD proved the nature of His enduring love.  Sixth, it was through Israel that God showed His grace toward those who repented from their sin.  Seventh, God also intended Israel to be the nation through which He displayed His justice and righteous anger toward those who refused to repent.  Just as Israel provided a living illustration of God’s grace, the people also put God’s divine wrath on display when they hardened their hearts and persisted in sin.  With these truths in mind, let us pray and then read the third vision God revealed to Zechariah.

--PRAY--

 

SCRIPTURE:

            Turn in your Bibles this morning to Zechariah 2:1-5, the third night vision the prophet witnessed.  Please, if you are able, stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word and follow along as I read.

     Zechariah 2:1-5,

            “Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. So I said, ‘Where are you going?’  And he said to me, ‘To measure Jerusalem, to see how wide it is and how long it is.’  And behold, the angel who was speaking with me was going out, and another angel was coming out to meet him, and said to him, ‘Run, speak to that young man, saying, “Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it.”’  ‘For I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ” (Zechariah 2:1–5, NASB95)[1]

GOD’S CHOICE OF JERUSALEM

            As I stated in my introduction, God chose and raised up the nation of Israel to be the vehicle by which He would magnify His character, reveal His Word, and introduce His Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Within these purposes, God not only has a specific function for the nation, but also for its capital city Jerusalem.  This city is located about fourteen miles west of the Dead Sea and 33 miles east of the Mediterranean Sea.  Jerusalem is built on top of a rocky plateau about 2,500 feet above sea level.  But its physical features are not what makes the city unique.  Like the nation of Israel that surrounds it, Jerusalem enjoys special status because the LORD sovereignly chose and set His love upon her.  Because of this, all of redemptive history from Genesis to Revelation features Jerusalem.

            Of all the cities on earth, Jerusalem, which is also called Zion, is uniquely special to God.  The psalmist in Psalm 132:13 proclaimed, “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation.” (Psalm 132:13, NASB95)[2] The city was known not only by the Israelites but across the ancient world.  It is mentioned in foreign texts from Egypt, also the Amarna letters, and Assyrian texts, the earliest mention being about the 19th century B.C.   In Scripture, the city first appears in Genesis 14 as the city of Salem, ruled by Melchizedek.  Melchizedek was called the king of Salem.  The name Salem is associated with Jerusalem and is believed to be related to the Hebrew word “shalom” meaning peace.  After Genesis 14, Jerusalem is next mentioned in reference to Joshua, during Israel’s conquest of the land of Canaan.  Joshua said the city and the territory around it belonged to the tribe of Judah.  It was not until several centuries later, in 1003 B.C., that David finally conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites.  According to 2nd Samuel 5:7, after David conquered the city, it became known as the City of David.  Under Solomon, Jerusalem reached its golden age as the wall around it was extended, and a palace was built within it.  The crowning jewel was the construction of Solomon’s temple, an absolutely stunning wonder of the ancient world.  But after Solomon, Israel neglected the temple and abandoned God Himself.  As a result, as recorded by the prophet Ezekiel, the presence of the LORD departed from the temple, and then Jerusalem, along with the temple, was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian army in 586 B.C.

            Even though this happened, God never forgot His promises about His city of His people.  Seventy years after Israel was defeated and led into exile, a remnant of Israelites returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.  Zechariah ministered to these returned exiles, calling the people to rebuild the temple and restore the worship of the one true God.  About 80 to 100 years later Nehemiah returned to Judah and rebuilt the city walls.  Even so, Jerusalem remained rather insignificant in terms of political and economic power.  Finally, in A.D. 70, after the earthly ministry of Jesus and His death and resurrection, the city was again attacked and the temple destroyed by the Romans.

            For almost 2000 years after that, Jerusalem was controlled by various world powers—including the Romans, the Muslims, and even the Crusaders for a short period.  But in 1948, the state of Israel was reborn, and Jerusalem was once again controlled by the Jewish people.  From the time of Melchizedek in Genesis 14, for thousands of years after that, and all the way to today, the story of Jerusalem testifies to God’s faithfulness.  Against all odds, the LORD has preserved His chosen people and restored them to His chosen city.  Other cities have come and gone, they flourish and then disappear, but not Jerusalem. The city of Melchizedek, the City of David, the city of the early church is now the capital city of a reconstituted nation.  One day the city of Jerusalem will become the city of the Messiah, under the power and the righteous reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.  For centuries, the Jewish people have gone to the Wailing Wall to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, to plead with God to send the Deliverer and break the yoke of Gentile oppression.  There is coming a time when God will do what He has promised in His Word.  One day the world will come to Jerusalem to learn God’s law and exult Him.  Jerusalem will become the epicenter of global worship of the one true God.

            The exiles who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon found a destroyed city and a temple that lay in ruins.  Without a doubt they wondered if God would continue to be faithful to Israel and specifically if He would be faithful to Jerusalem.  God revealed the answer to Zechariah in the prophets third night vision.  In the first two verses the Lord provided a measurable promise, affirming His faithfulness to Jerusalem.  Then in the last three verses He promised an immeasurable promise about the future of Jerusalem.

 

GOD’S MEASURABLE PROMISE (Zechariah 2:1-2)

            In the opening verse of chapter two we are again given the words that indicate that Zechariah saw a new vision.  The prophet writes, “Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.” (Zechariah 2:1, NASB95)[3] Remember in the first vision the LORD of hosts had declared to Zechariah, “and a measuring line will be stretched over Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 1:16b, NASB95)[4]  This third vision will expand on that truth, that God will rebuild Jerusalem.  It also confirmed that the LORD remembered what He had earlier revealed to the prophet Ezekiel, when He showed Ezekiel a vision of a man with “a measuring rod in his hand.” (Ezekiel 40:3b, NASB95)[5] 

Zechariah’s vision of the man with the measuring line was similar to Ezekiel’s vision.  Ezekiel implied that the man with the measuring rod  was the Messiah, describing Him the same way he described the Messiah in other passages.  Ezekiel 8:2 says, “Then I looked, and behold, a likeness as the appearance of a man; from His loins and downward there was the appearance of fire, and from His loins and upward the appearance of brightness, like the appearance of glowing metal.” (Ezekiel 8:2, NASB95)[6] Ezekiel 10:2 describes the Messiah as a man, and Ezekiel 40:3 says, “So He brought me there; and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze, with a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand; and he was standing in the gateway.” (Ezekiel 40:3, NASB95)[7]  Zechariah’s context confirms this interpretation.  This is the same description Zechariah gave of the Messiah when he saw the Angel of the LORD sitting on the red horse in the first vision.  If this is the same man, then this is the pre-incarnate Christ, the future Messiah of Israel.  This is fitting, because He is the central figure of Zechariah’s visions, a reminder to Zechariah and to his audience that the Messiah is central in God’s redemptive plans for His people.

Upon seeing this man, the Messiah, Zechariah asked Him, “Where are You going?” (Zechariah 2:2a, NASB95)[8]  That Zechariah would address this man directly seems to indicate that he has seen this man before and He has spoken to him.  Similar to Ezekiel’s vision, this man was on a mission.  In Ezekiel’s vision, the man measured the future temple, as well as the city of Jerusalem and the boundaries of Israel, you can read this in Ezekiel chapters 40-48.  In Zechariah’s vision, the prophet wanted to know if the man would do the same.  His question implied a deeper inquiry as to whether God would change His plan or keep His promise.

The man responded to Zechariah’s question, He said, “To measure Jerusalem, to see how wide it is and how long it is.” (Zechariah 2:2, NASB95)[9]  The man with the measuring rod in Ezekiel’s vision did the same.  The words “wide” and “long” were also used frequently in Ezekiel’s vision.  The message to Zechariah was clear; the LORD had not changed anything that He had formerly promised or planned.  Jerusalem would be rebuilt in its fullness, so that it could be measured in keeping with the very specifications God had revealed earlier in Ezekiel.  For the people of Judah that Zechariah was ministering to, as they struggled to rebuild the temple and the surrounding city, this truth would have been deeply encouraging.  This vision again reiterated that God remembers all His promises.

GOD’S IMMEASURABLE PROMISE (Zechariah 2:3-5)

            Though Zechariah’s third vision had just begun, he writes, “And behold, the angel who was speaking with me was going out, and another angel was coming out to meet him,” (Zechariah 2:3, NASB95)[10]  Remember that there had been an angel with Zechariah, an interpreting angel who was giving Zechariah illumination into the visions he was seeing, so that he would be able to describe them to the people and declare the truth by explaining them.  Abruptly, this angel left his side and went out.  Then Zechariah saw another angel coming out to meet the interpreting angel.  God had an additional message for Zechariah, so He sent another angel to declare it.  The urgency of this message is seen in two ways, first, by the interpreting angel’s abrupt departure to meet the other angel, and second, by the other angel’s instruction to the interpreting angel to run back with the message.  Upon returning, the interpreting angel was to deliver the message to the young man, Zechariah, who would in turn proclaim it to God’s people.  The new revelation was so wonderful that the LORD did not want it concealed or delayed but wanted it to be made known immediately to the people so their hearts would be encouraged.

            This message was that “Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it.” (Zechariah 2:4b, NASB95)[11]  Since Jerusalem was being measured, it would make sense that the purpose was so walls could be built, since walls set the boundary of a city.  The LORD revealed that although Jerusalem will be reconstructed and measured it will not have walls but instead will overflow with an immeasurable multitude of men and cattle within it.

            This promise that Jerusalem would one day overflow with people was not new prophecy.  Isaiah had already prophesied in Isaiah 49:19 saying, “For your waste and desolate places and your destroyed land— Surely now you will be too cramped for the inhabitants, And those who swallowed you will be far away.” (Isaiah 49:19, NASB95)[12] Jeremiah also wrote in Jeremiah 30:18-19, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob And have compassion on his dwelling places; And the city will be rebuilt on its ruin, And the palace will stand on its rightful place.  From them will proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who celebrate; And I will multiply them and they will not be diminished; I will also honor them and they will not be insignificant.’ ” (Jeremiah 30:18–19, NASB95)[13]

            Not only did God promise to fill the city with people, but God also promised that the city would abound with cattle.  In Jeremiah 31:24, the prophet wrote, ““Judah and all its cities will dwell together in it, the farmer and they who go about with flocks.” (Jeremiah 31:24, NASB95)[14]  Normally, farms would be outside the city and animals would only be brought in to sell or to sacrifice.  But the LORD is saying that one day Jerusalem will be so prosperous, its city limits will expand to encompass all the surrounding land.  So, this message of a multitude of men and cattle given to Zechariah, corresponded to what God had already promised.

            To earlier prophets God had revealed that He would cause Jerusalem to enjoy great abundance.  He had not revealed up to this point the extent of such restoration.  In this vision, the LORD revealed that Jerusalem will be a city “without walls.”  The Hebrew term for this does not merely mean a lack of physical walls, but more so speaks of a certain kind of city.  In Deuteronomy 3:5, Moses used this term to describe cities which had no barriers or marked boundaries, as opposed to walled cities.  There are certain cities designed to have walls separating rural areas from metropolitan areas.  There were other cities that were unwalled, where the boundary between farmland and the city proper was indistinguishable.  Out of necessity Jerusalem had always been a fortified city with walls.  But here God declared that would not always be the case, that in the end, Jerusalem will be transformed into a city without walls.  Also, in Hebrew the term “without walls’ is plural which indicates multiple open cities.  But here the plural term is applied to only one city: Jerusalem.  Although Jerusalem will be a single city, it will be so expansive that it will seem like multiple unwalled towns.  During the time of Zechariah’s prophecy, Jerusalem was barely populated.  Many of those who returned from exile lived in their native towns.  But God declared that one day it would be inhabited in a spectacular way.  Though those in Zechariah’s time could not see it, their work in returning home and starting to rebuild would have an outcome far beyond what they could anticipate.

            The LORD’S encouragement did not stop there.  Another new detail was revealed, one that was even more wonderful.  Knowing the history of Jerusalem and how many times it had been attacked may have caused some Israelites to wonder if it was wise to be a city without walls.  God Himself answered, “‘For I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ” (Zechariah 2:5, NASB95)[15] God is not saying that He would send a host of His angels to guard and protect the city.  No, God is saying that He Himself will be the protector of this city.  He will stand guard with brilliance and magnificence as He will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem.  God earlier appeared in a burning bush, and He had dwelt among the children of Israel as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  Here the Lord promises to dwell with them in a more extensive and glorious way.  His presence of fire will not only protect and secure His people but consume and destroy any enemy.  Such an impenetrable defense will be all around the city.  A wall is secure only if it completely surrounds a city, God’s protection will do exactly that.  For miles and miles, His presence will extend around Jerusalem without any breach or gap, securing the city and encircling its citizens with His glory.

            But God’s presence is not only surrounding the city, for the LORD also declared that He would be the glory in her midst.  This statement confirms that God’s glory will return to Jerusalem, and from there His glory will fill the earth in an immeasurable way.  God’s magnificent glory will dwell in the midst of Israel’s capital, inhabiting the glorious temple.  God will occupy the hearts of His people and the city to such a degree, that Jerusalem will be called “Yahweh is there.”  That future reality will fulfill the words “I will be” which is actually the same words in Hebrew as “I AM” the name which God gave to Moses when he asked who he should tell the Israelites had sent him.  God said tell them “I AM” has sent you.  At this moment when God’s presence envelopes the city of Jerusalem, His people will realize the depths and splendor of “I AM.”  In Christ’s millennial reign, Jerusalem will not only experience God’s perfect protection but also enjoy uninhibited fellowship with Him.

            Fascinating implications come from these truths.  For one, in building the wall in Nehemiah’s day, Israel should have recognized that this time of their history was far from the end.  Since God had revealed to Zechariah that the final Jerusalem will not have walls, the nation should have continued looking forward to their glorious future under the reign of the Messiah.  Even Satan understands this.  Ezekiel prophesied that during the reign of the Antichrist, Israel will be a land of unwalled villages, using the same term as used here.  Through the Antichrist, Satan will falsely offer Israel the protection that God promises His people, but Satan’s peace will be counterfeit. What was described in Zechariah’s vision will be in the future and it will be literally fulfilled, but only through the Messiah.  Only the Lord Jesus Christ, the man with the measuring line in Zechariah’s vision, can fulfill these promises for His people, doing more than anyone asks or thinks.

 

CONCLUSION:

            We know these promises will be fulfilled for Israel in the future, God was clear in this third vision that He is the God who remembers.  He has not forgotten any of the promises He has made for His people.  He remembers all that He has promised concerning Jerusalem.  What do we take from this message for ourselves, how do we apply this to our lives?  As I was studying and preparing this message the Lord kept bringing to my mind John 14:1-3.  In these verses Jesus is comforting and encouraging His disciples as they share the Passover meal with Him for the last time, that very night He would be betrayed, arrested, condemned and the next day He would be crucified.  The disciples were discouraged and upset.  Jesus said to them, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1–3, NASB95)[16]  Just as the LORD promised Israel that He would restore and rebuild Jerusalem, and He has not forgotten that promise, the Lord Jesus has promised us that He has gone to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house and that He is going to come one day to take us home to be with Him, to dwell with Him forever.  How can we be assured of this, by believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior.  In and of ourselves there is nothing that we can do to make ourselves right with God, each of us was born a sinner and we have each lived a sinful life.  But Jesus came for this purpose, to die on the cross, suffering God’s wrath against sin on our behalf.  If we repent, which means to agree with God that we are sinners incapable of doing anything about our sin, but believe that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for my sin and that He rose from the dead three days later proving that He had conquered sin, death, and Satan, then we are forgiven and we can be assured that Jesus is preparing us a place in His Father’s house.  And we can know this for sure because God is faithful to His Word and He is the God who remembers.

 

[1]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[2]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[3]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[4]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[5]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[6]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[7]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[8]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[9]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[10]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[11]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[12]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[13]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[14]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[15]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[16]New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.