The Vision of the Measuring Line
Study note
In this third night vision, Zechariah sees a young man going out to measure Jerusalem. An angel stops him with an amazing message: Jerusalem will become so full of people and animals that it will not need walls. God Himself will be a wall of protective fire around the city and will be the glory within it.
1 I looked up once more and saw a man carrying a measuring line. I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2 "Where are you headed?" I asked. He said, "I am going to measure Jerusalem — to find out exactly how wide and how long it is." 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.
3 Then the angel who had been speaking with me stepped out, and a second angel came to meet him. And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
4 The second angel spoke. "Run and tell that young man this. 'Jerusalem will be so full of people and beasts that it will spread beyond any walls.'" And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
5 "'I will be a blazing wall of fire all around it,' the LORD says, 'and I will be the glory shining from within.'" For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
A Call to Escape from Babylon
Study note
Many Jewish people still lived in Babylon and other foreign lands. God urged them to leave and return to the promised land. He warned that anyone who harmed His people was touching the most precious thing in His sight. God promised to punish the nations that had looted Israel.
6 "Come! Come! Run away from the land of the north!" the LORD says. "I scattered you to the four winds, but now come back!" Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
7 "Hurry, people of Zion! Get out now — you who are still living among the Babylonians!" Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
8 The LORD of Armies says: "After sending me on this glorious mission, he directed me against the nations that plundered you. Whoever touches you is poking the most precious thing in my sight." For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
9 "I will raise my hand against those nations, and their own slaves will strip them of their wealth. Then you will know for sure that the LORD of Armies sent me." For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
God Will Live Among His People
Study note
God promises a future day when He will live among His people. Many nations will also join themselves to the Lord. This is a prophecy that points ahead to the coming of the Messiah and the spread of God's kingdom to all peoples. The chapter ends with a call for all people to be silent in reverent awe before the Lord.
10 "Sing and celebrate, people of Zion! I am on my way, and I will come and live right among you," the LORD declares. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
11 "On that day, many nations will pledge themselves to the LORD and become my people. I will live among you, and then you will know that the LORD of Armies sent me to you." And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
12 The LORD will claim Judah as his own treasured portion in the holy land. He will once again choose Jerusalem as his special city. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
13 Let everyone everywhere be silent and still before the LORD. He has risen up from his holy home. Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.