Reading: Zechariah 1-7
Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. 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. 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. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. 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 (Zech. 2:7-11).
Zechariah’s audience was much changed from the one encountered by earlier prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. Gone was the proud certainty of their status and the belief that they were untouchable. Even though they had finally been returned to Jerusalem, the land was no longer theirs to control. They were there by permission of a foreign king, and they knew that permission could be revoked at any time. Though they had initially been eager to restore the Lord’s Temple and city, they were easily confused and discouraged. It was a different world from the one their ancestors had known, and they were unsure of their place in it.
Zechariah’s words were meant to restore their sense of identity—to remind them of who they were and who they belonged to. They were God’s people doing God’s work, and they had nothing to fear. 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: 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 (Zech. 2:4- 5). Zechariah was not calling for a return of the false pride and self-importance that ruled the people before their fall but rather for a spiritual rebirth. The people needed to separate them- selves from the Babylonian culture to which they had become accustomed and embrace the privileges and responsibilities that came from being a member of God’s family.
Zechariah’s words are just as needed by those of us in the body of Christ today as they were by the returning exiles. We live in an increasingly hedonistic world headed by governments that, at best, pay lip service to God and, at worst, deny Him entirely. We are God’s beloved children, the apple of His eye, and He wants us to understand that we are not bound to this world. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). He has come to dwell in the midst of us, has placed a new heart within us, and has encircled us with a wall of fire; we are loved, protected, and free to live for Him and partake of His Word. There is nothing the world can say or do to change that truth.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one (John 10:27-30).
Thought For Today:When the world deals us a blow, we need only remember that it can’t affect our relationship with God, and we will remain undiminished.
Christ Revealed: As My Servant the BRANCH (Zech. 3:8). Christ was brought into the world in the fulness of the time (Gal. 4:4), and took upon Him the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7). But He will soon return as the Righteous Branch to reign as King (Jer. 23:5).
Word Studies:1:15 forward the affliction = heathen nations increased your afflictions beyond My intentions; 1:19 horns = world powers; 1:21 fray = terrorize; 3:5 mitre = turban; 5:1 roll = God’s Word was written on parchment or skins then rolled up.
Pray For: In Memory of Daniel Turner • Government Officials: Sen. Bill Cassidy (LA) • Country: Cocos (Keeling) Islands (596) Southeastern Asia • Major Languages: Malay, English • Religious Freedom • 80% Muslim; 20% Other • Prayer Suggestion: When you are afraid, have confidence in and rely upon the Lord (Ps. 56:3-4).