Today you should read: Zechariah 2
Today we get to continue in this amazing book in which God, after the horrific Babylonian exile, is reminding His people of how much he loves them, is for them, and is jealous for them. God proclaims this to them through 8 different visions. We saw the first two in chapter 1 and we see the next vision in chapter 2.
“In this vision Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line in his hand. The prophet asks the man where he is going, and the man indicates that he is on his way to take the measurements of Jerusalem. Then, as now, surveying property in this way was done in preparation for building. The man in this vision represents God’s desire to restore and rebuild the city.” (Rummage, 101)
This would have been shocking news as we see that in Nehemiah the city was unsafe and unstable. However, in verse 5 we see the love and faithfulness of God as he says “And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord…” The city would once again be all it should be because of God Himself.
So God calls those lingering in exile to trust Him enough to return to Him (v.6-7).
He reminds them of their identity (v.8). They are the apple of His eye. He loves them. He is for them. He is jealous for them. Because of that He WILL bring judgment on the peoples and nations harming them (v.9)
He reminds them that He will keep His promise of the coming Messiah (v. 10-11). “And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people.” We see this come to be realized in Ephesians 2:11-22 as in Jesus God made one new man.
He promised them his presence (v.11) – something they felt like they had gone without for some time.
But He promised them they were still special to Him… Though He was/is a God for the nations, Israel is still special to Him (v.12).
This is a bold proclamation of God’s love and faithfulness and He calls us to worship Him in fear and love for He is the living and holy God (v. 13)!
Where do you need to be reminded of God’s love and faithfulness in your life today? He loves you, cares for you, is for you, and is faithful. Express this to Him and remind yourself of the Truth of God today.
By: Nick Parsons — Pastoral Ministry Associate: College
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