Justin Houtz

Zechariah 2

DateVersionReading Plan
@December 14, 2023ESV (2016)ESV Prophets Plan 2023

Pericopes

  • A Vision of a Man with a Measuring Line

Notes/Application

Zechariah’s third vision is of a man with a measuring line to measure Jerusalem. Two angels meet the young man and tell him that “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls” (Zech. 2:4), assuring him that the city could not be measured and that its population would be great. The LORD will be to the city a wall of fire and the glory in her midst. He tells His people to “Flee from the land of the north” (Zech. 2:6), a call to return to Judah following their exile. The daughter of Zion is to rejoice because the LORD will come and dwell in her midst. God will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and again choose Jerusalem. To this they are to respond with reverent silence, “for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” (Zech. 2:13).

The theme of God choosing His people and dwelling with them continues in this chapter. However, an element worth noting is that despite His judgment of the nations, many of them will “join themselves to the LORD” (Zech. 2:11) and be His people. This does not suggest an indecision on God’s part but the complexity of His mercy and the miracle of His grace. Salvation is offered to all who respond to the gospel with genuine repentance and faith. God shows no partiality except that which is based on whether one’s heart is fully surrendered to Him. Embracing this truth should shape our perspective and put to death any earthly barriers to loving our neighbors. We are commissioned to share and be the love of Christ to every soul we encounter, even those we deem unlovable or unworthy. As someone guilty of wrongful selectivity, this exhortation is directed at myself as much as it is to anyone else. Praise be to God for His patience and for His continuing to present new opportunities where I can respond in obedience.

Scripture Journal Notes

Commentaries & Resources Used